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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 07-10-1995 1 ( �I PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 10, 1995 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:37 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Grant and Mr. Merrill arrived during Item 109 *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 109 Recent Activity a. Musket Lane. Sketch Subdivision Plan, Rollout: Mr. Marino rolled out a sketch plan for the Musket Lane development, off Burlington Street and Flintlock Road, that was submitted by William Hamilton on June 29, 1995 The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on July 29, 1995. b. LIP Application. Grandview Avenue: Mr. Bowyer reported that the State Executive Office of Communities and Development approved the Town's Local Initiative Program application for Grandview Avemue. It may now be submitted to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Bowyer reported that Marshall Derby, LEXHAB chairman, asked to come to the Board's July 19 meeting to give a brief presentation of the proposal. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 110. Garfield Street Extension. Definitive Subdivision Plan. PUBLIC HEARING: Mrs. Davison opened the hearing at 7:50 p.m. Present were Richard Waitt, engineer, Meridian Engineering Collaborative, Inc., Ronald and Nancy Gold, the applicants, and Jonathan Gold, their attorney Ten other people were in the audience. Mr. Waitt described the plan currently under consideration, which was filed on April 14, 1995, as well as the compliance plan. A one-lot subdivision is proposed and nine waivers are requested. Foremost in the presentation was the subject of the proposed "natural" method of storm water drainage. At a previous meeting, the Planning Board asked for the input of the Town Engineering Department to resolve the drainage issues,whether the system should be structured or non-structured and whether their proposal would increase runoff onto the Town owned parcel. Mr. Waitt said that Frank Fields, Town Engineer, and Tom Hayes, also an engineer with the Town, did not want to comment on a plan that asks for so many waivers. Mr. Waitt received a memo from the Engineering Division dated July 10 that asked for additional tests and studies. He said the Golds are unwilling to pay for that additional work nor do they want to build a structured drainage system as it would be quite destructive to vegetation and cause access problems for Mrs. Mann, an abutter. Even though the Gold's drainage proposal does not meet the standards of the Development Regulations, he contended it will be a substantial improvement to what is there now, and will benefit the neighbors as well. They have already spent a substantial sum on plans and are not anxious to spend more if the Board is inclined to approve their current plans. Mr. Waitt said that he has provided the calculations needed to confirm that the system works. Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 1995 2 Board members asked a number of questions about the drainage system. Several members were inclined to support the unstructured system but felt they needed to know the Town Engineer's opinion. Mr Canale expressed a desire to get answers to the questions posed in the Engineer's memo so the Board will have some information to work with. The members agreed that isolated parcels of land, such as this one, will continue to present unique problems. Mr. Grant observed that the Town Engineer probably does not want to open the door to others wanting the same treatment so he will not go on record with a comment on it. Mr Grant is inclined to support the natural drainage system as he has not heard anything yet that proves the natural system will not work. He hopes there is a middle ground because these cases will be more difficult if the Town Engineer will not comment on the plans. Mrs. Davison read a July 10 memo from Chairman Joyce Miller of the Conversation Commission that supports the unstructured drainage system and the 16 foot road width. Harriet Mann, 64 Garfield Street, Kay Tiffany, of the Precinct 8 Residents Association, and Al Levine, 4 Reed Street, expressed the neighbor- hood's support of these two features of the plan as well. Mrs. Davison asked Mr. Bowyer to contact the Town Engineering Division seeking some guidelines for the Planning Board discussion of Garfield Street Extension at their next meeting. The Board would like Mr. Fields to respond in writing as to the calculations' correctness and on the non-structured drainage system currently proposed. Mr. Waitt wants to know if the drainage calculations already submitted and revised comply with the Engineering Department's standards and policies; if they comply with good engineering practice; and if they are acceptable to the Engineering Department. Mrs. Davison said that if Mr Fields does not comment, the Board will have to decide without his input. The Board members agreed they would like Engineering to participate. The Board observed that the time in which it must act on the plan is July 13 The Golds agreed to ask for an extension to give the Planning Board more time to make their decision. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously to approve the applicants' request to extend the time in which the Planning Board has to act on the Garfield Street definitive subdivision plan until August 10, 1995 Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 9.42 p.m. Mr. Bowyer said the Engineering Department and the Department of Public Works are reviewing their role in inspecting/supervising work on streets that will remain private ways. Mrs. Davison suggested that street construction standards should be reviewed as they may be too rigid for the development of isolated lots such as those now coming before the Board. 111 Denver Street, Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Decision: The Board revised a draft decision, dated July 11, 1995, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted 3-2, Mr. Merrill and Mr. Canale opposed, to grant a waiver of the requirement of Section 1.4 for a turnaround. On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr Davies, the Board voted 3-2, Mr Merrill and Mr. Canale opposed, to approve the preliminary subdivision plan, entitled "Denver Street", dated March 14, 1995, with conditions and requirements as stated. 112. Fox Run Lane. Definitive Conventional Subdivision Plan. Decision: The Board reviewed a draft ,J Certificate of Action and Special Permit with Site Plan Review, dated July 11, 1995, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to: 3 Minutes for the meeting of July 10, 1995 1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Fox Run Lane", dated March 30, 1995; 2) approve the certificate of action, dated July 11, 1995; 3) grant a special permit with site plan review (SPS) for a planned residential development/conventional subdivision, and the decision dated July 11, 1995 DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 113. Earl Street. Preliminary Street Construction Plan. Decision: The Board reviewed a draft decision, dated July 6, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 5- 0, to approve, with conditions and modifications, the preliminary street improvement plan submitted by Daniel C. Tocci, dated April 25, 1995. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 114 Applications To Be Heard on July 13. 1995• Mr. Canale gave an oral review of the following applications: 177 Massachusetts Avenue. Two Islands Corp., special permit to continue to operate a restaurant, formerly Arty's. The Board anticipated a forthcoming application for a sign so that it may be reviewed by the Design Advisory Committee. 21 Minute Man Lane, Kenneth Kan, variances for an addition to a dwelling. The Board noted that the applicant did not adequately address hardship in the submission they reviewed. It believes the requested addition could be done without intruding into the setback and will recommend that the Board of Appeals urge the applicant to explore alternatives that do not increase the existing nonconformity Vacant Lots on James Street. Richard and Beverly Tringale, appeal of a decision by the Building Commissioner that vacant lots on James Street abutting 10 James Street are not buildable lots. The Board agreed that the applicants have not submitted sufficient proof to support their claim that the length of James Street is incorrect in the List of Unaccepted Streets that Appear on the Zoning Map; that their vacant lots have frontage on the accepted portion of James Street and are therefore buildable lots. The Board had no comment on the following applications, also scheduled to be heard on July 13 3 Bow Street. Sandra Walsh, special permit to allow wall sign 317 Woburn Street. Phillip Donuts, Inc., renewal of special permit to operate a Dunkin' Donuts satellite franchise 162 Lowell Street, James Fitzgerald, special permit to demolish a garage and construct a new one ************************************* REPORTS ************************************** 115 Planning Board. Subcommittees a. Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee: Mr. Canale reported that an item on the Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee's agenda for its meeting on July 18, 1995 is a Postal Service consent order for watershed protection. In June, the Postal Service entered into a consent order with Department of Environmental Protection as a result of permit violations for storm water management. The Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 1995 4 Postal Service must pay $30,000 to the Mass. Environmental Trust to use for water quality improvement within the Cambridge watershed and consult with an advisory committee which represents Cambridge, Waltham, Lexington and Lincoln and the DEP c b. Hanscom Field: Mr. Canale also reported that Business Air, Inc. proposes commuter service from Hanscom AFB to Newark, N.J At the HATS meeting on June 22, 1995 there was discussion of this proposal. Mr. Canale suggested that the Planning Board help to prepare the town's report and consider using professional help. The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 p.m. ' / Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk 41 1 [