HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 02-13-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 13 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to
order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Domnitz, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director
Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Grant left the meeting during Item 36.
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33. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 30,
1995. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes, as amended.
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34. Recent Activity
a. Grandview Avenue LexHAB Housing Proposal: Mr. Merrill reported that he received a letter from
David and Margaret Harris, 18 Eastern Avenue, advocating a Town housing program that does not use open
Town land. The Harrises are neighbors of the proposed LexHAB house site on Grandview Avenue. In
response to a request from Mrs. Davison to see a list of town owned land, Mr. Bowyer briefly described the
Planning Department data base of Town owned land. He cautioned that the data base is not currently
prioritized nor does it include qualitative evaluation and would not reveal if the land was suitable for
building. Mr. Canale observed that the Planning Board has a responsibility to plan for the use of Town
owned land.
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Mrs. Davison polled the members at 7:58 p.m. and the Board voted unanimously to go into Executive
Session to discuss litigation involving the proposed Garfield Street subdivision with the Chairman of the
Conservation Commission. The Board agreed to reconvene in open session after the Executive Session.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
35 Applications To Be Heard on March 9 1995: Mr. Grant gave an oral review of the following
applications:
10 James Street. Richard and Beverly Tringale, appeal of a decision of the Building Commissioner
that Parcels 67 and 68 are not buildable lots because they have no frontage. The Planning Board
agreed to support the decision of the Building Commissioner because the applicant did not give a
compelling argument why the decision should be overturned.
22 Muzzev Street. Marina Smith, variance to construct an addition to a dwelling. After some
L. discussion and an informal poll, it was voted 3-2, Mr. Grant and Mr. Merrill opposed, to
recommend denial of the petition because the addition increases the nonconformity of the dwelling
and does not meet the criteria for a variance. The three members in favor of this recommendation
added that they are particularly sensitive to variances for the expansion of residences because of
Minutes for the Meeting of February 13, 1995 2
the Planning Board's proposed zoning amendment to limit the size of dwellings in relation to lot
size.
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36. Articles 25(A1-28(D1: The Board continued planning their presentations for the public hearings on
their proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law
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37 Proposed Referral Procedure: Mrs. Davison asked the Board to comment on a proposal she is
advocating that would require, before a permit is issued to demolish a house, the design plans for the
proposed new house be submitted to the Design Advisory Committee for comment, suggestions and advice
on its compatibility with the site and to adjacent properties. She is concerned about the impact of new
houses built after smaller homes are demolished on grandfathered lots. She will discuss her proposal with
the Design Advisory Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
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Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk