HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 08-02-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 2, 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to
order at 7.40 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, and Assistant Planner Marino •
present. Mr. Grant arrived during Item 124. Mr. Merrill was absent.
**************************************** MINUTES **************************************
119 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 19, 1995.
On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the
minutes, as amended.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
120. Recent Activity
a. 51 Lowell Street. Mark Moore Homes. Definitive Cluster Subdivision Plan. Rollout: Mr. Marino rolled
out a definitive site development plan for the Winship Common development, off Lowell Street, that was
submitted by Mark Moore Homes on July 31, 1995 The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The
time for action on this plan expires on December 13, 1995
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
121 LEXHAB House on Grandview Avenue: The Board reviewed and revised a draft letter to the
Board of Appeals, dated August 1, 1995, prepared by die staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by
Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously to approve the letter of recommendation to the Board of Appeals,
as amended. The Board will recommend granting the comprehensive permit to LEXHAB to build a house
on Grandview Avenue.
************************** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES ***************************
122. Hanscom Field GEIR Undate. Massnort Letter of July 26. 1995• The Board discussed a letter from
Richard Walsh, Massport's Government/Community Liaison to Selectman Dan Fenn relating to the current
update to the Hanscom Field Generic Environmental Impact Report. Mr. Walsh expressed Massport's desire
to continue the close working relationship it has with the HATS area towns on Hanscom issues and asked
that a member of the Town planning staff be appointed a contact person during the update process. Mr.
Marino said that the Town Manager has asked him to play that role. He will act as a technical resource.
Mr. Canale said there should also professional technical support to aid the public in their work on the GEIR
update. Massport has given the towns money for such support and there is Town money as well. He would
like to be involved in the process.
************************************** REPORTS ***************************************
123 Planning Board, Subcommittees:
Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee: Mr Canale reported that the U.S. Postal Service has
entered into a consent agreement to make amends for alleged repeated violations of DEP regulations at its
facility at the boundary of Waltham and Lexington. The Postal Service itself identified the violations and
will pay a fine to be used for watershed protection. The Mass Environmental Trust will receive the money
and Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee will likely oversee the use of it.
Minutes for the Meeting of August 2, 1995 2
The subject of large postal service trucks using Lexington roads was also addressed. Richard White, the 1
Town Manager, is looking into the problem. Mrs. Davison suggested that perhaps portable scales could be
purchased and used to weigh the trucks to determine if they exceed the maximum weight allowed on
Lexington streets. -
b. Desian Advisory Committee: Mrs. Davison reported on recent developments in the proposed WWII
memorial controversy and on the barrier that has been erected on the Bedford Street end of Harrington
Road.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
124 Musket Lane. Off Burlinaton Street and Flintlock Road. Presentation of Sketch Conventional
Subdivision Plan: William Hamilton and Steven Hamilton, applicants, Gary Larson, landscape architect,
Larson and Associates, and Richard Waitt, engineer, Meridian Engineering Collaborative, Inc., were present.
Mr. Larson presented a sketch plan showing a six lot conventional subdivision with a proposed twenty foot
wide dead end street with a hammerhead turnaround off Flintlock Road. The developer has an agreement
with three abutters to buy some of their land to enable him to subdivide his property Two waivers may be
requested: one for a 20 foot corner rounding and the other to allow existing houses to be located within the
required perimeter of tract setback.
I
The Board asked a number of questions about other configurations they may have considered, any
interactions they have had with the neighbors, and the size of the proposed houses. It also questioned
whether the plan can be approved because, although Flintlock Road meets the definition of a through street,
it is connected to Redcoat Lane which is a dead end street. Mr. Canale said that it doesn't make any
difference how many circles you can draw inside. You must figure out the length of Redcoat Lane and the
new cul de sac combined for next time.
The Board discussed possible impacts the development would have on the abutting property at 119
Burlington Street, and requested additional information on the amount of cutting/filling that will be
necessary to construct the subdivision.
Mr. Davies suggested that pedestrian access to the Town land be provided between two of the parcels,
calling it an important public benefit. Everyone agreed that as many trees as possible should be saved. Mr.
Davies said that trees on a work site need protective fencing to assure their safety during the building
process. Mr. Canale asked about the location of the proposed subdivision street in relation to the adjacent
houses.
125 Garfield Street Extension. Definitive Subdivision Plan Decision: The Board reviewed and revised a
draft decision prepared by the staff, dated August 2, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr.
Davies, the Board voted 3-1, Mr Canale opposed, to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Garfield Street Extension", dated April 14, 1995,
1 2) approve the certificate of action, dated August 2, 1995, as amended
The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
1 / ' /
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk