HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 05-08-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MAY 8, 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called
to order at 7.44 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Grant, Merrill, Planning
Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Merrill arrived during Item 83.
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83. Recent Activity
a. 51 Lowell Street. Revised Sketch Plan: Mr. Bowyer reported that Mark Moore Homes submitted
a revised sketch plan for land at 51 Lowell Street on May 2. Those plans will be presented later in the
meeting.
b. Demoeranhic Report: Mr. Bowyer outlined a document distributed to the Planning Board that
evening. The report, Demographic Characteristics of Mixed Income Rental Housing Developments in
Lexington, is an analysis of a 1990 projection of school-age children likely to live in the Lexington
Ridge Apartments.
****************** PLANNING BOARD PROJECTS, POLICY MAKING *******************
84 Plannine Board Priorities: Mr. Merrill suggested the Board spend some time at a meeting soon
setting their priorities and agendas for things it wants to accomplish. What is important to the Board?
What are we trying to accomplish? What will we be remembered for? He would like to see the
Board get into a proactive mode, to set some goals and then achieve them. He believes it is the duty
of a Planning Board to get ahead of events instead of reacting to what others are doing.
The Board agreed that they would like to examine their priorities. Mrs. Davison suggested a retreat
and recalled that the Board used a questionnaire several years ago to identify priorities. The others
agreed it is a good idea but that they would like to do it in the context of regular meetings.
Mrs. Davison praised an explanation of comprehensive planning that Mr. Bowyer prepared for the
Citizen Planner Training Initiative. She said she was skeptical about planning before but this
explanantion made her a believer.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
85. Form A/95-4. The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required plan for land at Follen Road and
Summit Road. On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously,
5-0, to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated March 7, 1995, prepared by
James R. Keenan, Winchester, Mass., certified by James R. Keenan, Professional Land Surveyor, with
Form A/95-4, submitted by Daniel Tocci, applicant, acting for Norman N. Connolly and Rita R.
Connolly, owners, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law
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Minutes for the Meeting of May 8, 1995 2
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SUBDIVISION OF LAND
86. Tracer-Lane: The-Board reviewed a draft letterpreparedby the staff, dated May-4, 1995, to
Harold Nahigian, applicant for the Tracer Lane commercial subdivision, to prompt the recording of a
subdivision plan approved nearly two years ago but still outstanding. On the motion of Mr. Canale,
seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve and to send the letter as
written.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
87 Applications To Be Heard on May 11. 1995: Mrs. Davison gave an oral review of the following
applications:
33 Marrett Road, Museum of Our National Heritage, special permit to convert the courtyard into
a multi-purpose room
The Planning Board agreed to recommend that the Board of Appeals require the
museum to develop a peak event parking management plan and urge them to explore an
overflow parking alternative on adjoining property such as that owned by the Grey Nuns.
The Board had no comment on the following applications, also to be heard on May 11.
191 Spring Street, 191 Spring Street Trust, requesting confirmation of the common driveway
special permit granted in 1988.
191 Spring Street, 191 Spring Street Trust, modification and confirmation of special permit with
site plan review granted in 1988.
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88. Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Committee: Referring to an announcement previously
distributed to the Board, Mrs. Davison urged the members to go on the tour of the Cambridge
Reservoir watershed as it will provide a view of the watershed unlikely to be gained elsewhere. Mr.
Bowyer said he had been on that tour and believes it would be worthwhile for the Board members.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
89 51 Lowell Street, Revised Sketch Plan. Mark Moore Homes: Mark Moore, Frank and Pat Carney,
of Mark Moore Homes, the applicant and Ron Wood, land planner for the development team for
property at 51 Lowell Street, and Mark Newman, attorney for the Monahan family, the sellers of 51
Lowell Street, were present.
Mr. Carney summarized events thus far in the process and presented a revised sketch cluster plan that
incorporates suggestions made by the Planning Board based on the developer's first sketch plan,
presented to the Board on March 13, 1995. The biggest change is the inclusion of the existing
farmhouse on the 4.75 acre site instead of moving it off site. It will be located at the corner of Lowell
and Haskell Street, on one of the Form A lots, shifted slightly from its present location. It will be in a
position of prominence giving the house a better setting as an architectural centerpiece.
3 Minutes for the meeting of May 8, 1995
Mr. Wood reviewed the site analysis for the Board. There will be twelve lots in all on the 4.75 acre
site — a 7 unit cluster plus five Form A lots one of which will have the relocated farm house. The
subdivision road has been shifted in order to reduce the proximity of one of the new houses to the
relocated farm house. He showed proposed garden plots, that are there in part now and might be
used to enhance the farm setting.
Mr. Davies asked why they haven't proposed two dwelling units in the farm house. Mr. Carney
answered that his responsibility is to plan the rest of the site. Max Johnson controls the farm house.
Mr. Canale asked to see the relationship of the Form A lots to the cluster development as soon as
possible. Mr. Carney said that Moore Homes also realizes the importance of including the Form A
lots in the total look of the development and said that as the plans progress through the subdivision
application process, all things will be clarified. He said they are trying to address the concerns the
Board expressed on March 13. Mrs. Davison expressed her dismay that the entire site will not be
developed as a cluster subdivision, that the farm house will be moved and at the loss of three large
trees.
The status of permits from the Historical Commission to move the house and demolish the shed was
discussed. David Hornstein, a neighborhood resident, spoke against various aspects of the project.
John Breen, 8 Crescent Hill Avenue, asked for clarification of the demolition permit and about the
status of the lot owned by Robert Monahan. There was some discussion of a possible accessory
apartment in the barn at a future time. In response to a question from a resident of Haskell Street,
Mr. Bowyer answered that a plan to improve the street has not been filed. He noted that if the
alternative, a 12 lot conventional subdivision is developed, Haskell Street, between Lowell Street and
( Summer Street, will have to be reconstructed to Town standards. Alyce Monahan, 51 Lowell Street,
expressed her desire to maintain the status quo.
Mr. Carney requested guidance from the Board on the best way for Mark Moore Homes to proceed
with this project. Mrs. Davison assured him the Board will promptly send a letter with its decision on
the sketch plan.
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90. Planning Board. Subcommittees: F
a. Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee: Mr. Canale reported the Bicycle Advisory Committee
will be discussing the lawsuit of the June Allyn estate against the MBTA regarding an easement over
the bikepath at its next meeting. I
b. Met State Land Reuse Task Force: Mr. Bowyer responded to Mrs. Davison's request of the staff
for information about the size of several converted schools and of Lexington Ridge. He said he was
uncomfortable because it placed the staff in an awkward position to respond to an individual with
information that was not consistent with the position of the Town and of other groups who have been
involved over several years in developing the Metropolitan State Hospital land reuse plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 p.m. d2g1 /'
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk