HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 06-19-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 19, 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to
order at 7.42 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Davies, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and
Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Grant and Mr. Canale arrived during Item 104
**************************************** MINUTES **************************************
102. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of May 1, 1995. On die
motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Merrill, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the minutes, as
written.
The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 5, 1995 On the motion of Mr.
Grant, seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the minutes, as amended.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
103 Recent Activity
a. LexHAB. Grandview Avenue LIP. Mr. Bowyer reported that the Lexington Housing Assistance Board
has received approval from EOCD of its Local Initiative application to build a house on Grandview Avenue.
The next step is to file an application with the Lexington Board of Appeals.
b. 160/170 Wood Street Subdivision Proposal: Mr. Bowyer reported that Paul Chisholm, the representa-
tive of the bank that owns the land at 160/170 Wood Street, asked the Lexington Housing Assistance Board
for the second time about applying for a Comprehensive Permit through die Local Initiative Program.
Marshall Derby, LexHAB chairman, again informed him that he should seek an RD rezoning of the
property instead. Mr. Bowyer reminded the Board that a developer must have the permission of the Board
of Selectmen to even begin the process of applying for a Comprehensive Permit through the Local Initiative
Program.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
104. Fox Run Lane. Conventional Subdivision Plan. PUBLIC HEARING: Mrs. Davison opened the
hearing at 7:55 p.m. Present were Richard Waitt, engineer, of Meridian Engineering Collaborative, Gary
Larson, landscape architect, of Larson Associates, and the applicant Zaroohy Seed. Mr. Larson described the
plans for the proposed subdivision.
Mr. Larson highlighted the features of the Planned Residential Development/Conventional Subdivision plans
and explained that this plan is similar to the one presented at the preliminary plan stage. The proposal
includes the removal of the existing dwelling and the construction of a 648' long dead-end street with a
circular turnaround. The proposed subdivision consists of eight single family dwellings on individual lots.
Each lot has sufficient frontage and area as required by the Lexington Zoning By-Law
There were comments and questions from the Planning Board regarding the drainage area in the rear of lot
#4, the large tree at the intersection of the proposed street with East Street and the conditions imposed by
the Board of Selectmen on the removal of the tree. The Board also discussed the replacement street trees
and the installation of additional curbing along East Street.
Minutes for the Meeting of June 19, 1995 2
The Planning Board questioned whether the applicant considered preserving the existing dwelling, and
expressed disappointment that the farmhouse and barn will be torn down.
Lois Harrelson, 12 Grant Street, Woburn, raised-a number of concerns about the drainage area in the rear of
lot #4. She questioned the Board about the size of the drainage area, and the type and size of drainage pipes
in and leading to the drainage area. She also questioned the Board about the size of the proposed lots and
dwellings. Steve Sack, 260 East Street, praised the development process and informed the Board that issues
he raised with the applicant earlier have been addressed to his satisfaction since the applicant has agreed to
include a 5' wide walking easement from his lot to the subdivision street.
Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 8:34 p.m.
105 Denver Street. Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Public Informational Meeting: Mrs. Davison opened
the informational meeting at 8:35 p.m. Present were Richard E. Wait, engineer, of Meridian Engineering
Collaborative, Gary Larson, landscape architect, of Larson Associates, and the applicant, Robert Phelan. Mr.
Larson described the plans for the proposed subdivision. The applicants propose a 20 foot wide street, with
no turnaround, coming in from Cedar Street and extending across the entire frontage of the lot. The
applicants propose to replace the wetlands that will be affected by the construction of the street in an
easement on the lot and to install above ground utilities.
Mr. Larson highlighted the features of the proposed plan showing a one-lot development and a number of
alternatives that they had considered. He also described the history of approvals and decisions the
development proposal has gone through. Mr. Larson and Mr. Wait answered questions from the Board
about the plans, especially the drainage and utility aspects.
Mr. Merrill expressed concern about the precedent that would be set by waiving the requirement for a
turnaround and the underground utilities requirement. Robert Phelan, the developer, described the history of
his family's involvement with the site and said he does not want to see his parents' investment in the
property since they purchased it whittled away The Board expressed sympathy for the Phelans but said that
it has a larger responsibility to the community
Mrs. Davison and Mr. Davies expressed the belief that isolated lot developments, such as this one, require
creative solutions and flexibility on the part of the Board. Mr. Grant thought it appropriate for this street to
be a private way
An abutter to the project who was present expressed satisfaction with the stub end street alternative.
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
106. Earl Street. Preliminary Street Improvement Plan: Dan Tocci, the developer, and Vernon LeBlanc,
engineer, of Andover Engineering were present. Mr. LeBlanc presented two plans for improving Earl Street:
a compliance plan and a plan showing the paved portion of the street offset from the center line of the
right-of-way The plan includes underground utilities and the installation of sewer connection for the
proposed dwelling as well as provisions to allow abutters to connect to the town sewer system and eliminate
the need for private septic systems. The applicant proposes the alternate plan to avoid the removal of a tree
in front of#34 Earl Street and so that the existing driveways on Earl Street do not have to be regraded.
The Board asked a variety of questions and expressed its desire that as many trees as possible will be
retained during the implementation of the plan. Mr. Tocci said he will make an effort to save as many trees
as possible.
3 Minutes for the meeting of June 19, 1995
107 Garfield Street Extension Subdivision Plan. Midterm Review
Mr. Bowyer discussed with the Board the reasons that this mid-term review is being held. He said that the
plan proposed contains more areas of non-compliances and requests more waivers than any plan he can
remember in his 15 years with the Town of Lexington. The proposed street does not comply with the
minimal acceptable standards for a Town street.
The Planning Board discussed the areas of non-compliance and the waivers with the applicants.
Mr. Bowyer said that none of the typical features of a structured drainage system are shown on the plan
currently before the Board. Mr. Waitt explained that their design mimics what is happening on the site now
by maintaining natural drainage patterns. He cited Section 3.6.5 7 of the Development Regulations. Mr.
Bowyer said that neither the Planning Department or the Town Engineering Department agrees with Mr
Waitt's interpretation of that section of the Regulations.
Mr. Grant said that isolated lot developments need creative problem solving involving the Engineering and
Planning Departments. He respects the staff but wants to move ahead and get problems solved. This
development proposal has been before the town for four years.
Jonathan Gold said the Golds feel very strongly about some of the waivers that the Board indicated in its
decision on the preliminary plan it wouldn't grant. He cited the request for a waiver to allow a 16' street.
The applicants have chosen to incorporate some of the requested waivers into the plan, although some of the
waivers are not. The Board agreed that the issue of drainage should be resolved. The applicant would like to
meet with the Town Engineer. The Board asked Mr. Bowyer to discuss the drainage issue with the Town
Engineer and asked him to ask him some specific questions about the drainage system the applicants
propose and about the drainage calculations that the applicant submitted with the application.
Mr. Bowyer said that an extension of time for the Planning Board to act will be needed because it does not
appear possible to get these issues resolved, and a decision written and filed with the Town Clerk before the
July 13 deadline to file a decision on the application. Mr. Gold said the applicant would probably agree to
request an extension of time for the Board to act on the plans. The public hearing will be held on July 10,
1995
****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *******************
108. Election of Officers: After a brief discussion, on the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr.
Davies, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to re-elect its current slate of officers: Mrs. Davision, Chairman,
Mr. Canale, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Merrill, Clerk.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
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Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk ,
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