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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 08-16-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 1995 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:50 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, and Planning Director Bowyer present. Mr. Merrill arrived during Item 126. Mr. Grant was absent. **************************************** MINUTES ************************************** 126. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of July 10, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the minutes, as written. The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of July 19, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the minutes, as amended. The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of August 2, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted unanimously, 3-0, to approve the minutes, as amended. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 127 Recent Activity a. Schoolhouse Lane Subdivision, Discussion of Landscape Plan: The Board expressed its concern about the nearly complete removal of trees, during the development process, from the Schoolhouse Lane subdivision site off Concord Avenue. The question arose if the actual landscaping done reflects what was shown in the plans and if it complies with the requirements in the Subdivision Regulations. Mr. Bowyer will look into this matter and report on potential enforcement procedures, if called for. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 128. Form A/95-7 One Maauire Road: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at One Maguire Road. On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unani- mously, 4-0, to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated July 21, 1995, prepared by Michael J. Juliano of Meridian Engineering Collaborative, Inc., Peabody, Mass., certified by Michael J Juliano, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/95-7, submitted by Steven Colangelo, applicant and owner, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law SUBDIVISION OF LAND 129 Fox Run Lane. Acceptance of Covenant, Endorsement of Definitive Plan: The Board reviewed a draft motion prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to accept the covenant executed by Zaroohy Seed, dated August 10, 1995 and endorse die definitive subdivision plan entitled "Definitive Site Development Plan, Fox Run Lane - A Conventional Subdivision, Lexington, MA.", dated March 30, 1995 130. Musket Lane Sketch Plan, Decision: The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the decision on the Musket Lane sketch plan as set forth in the draft decision dated August 14, 1995, as amended. Minutes for the Meeting of August 16, 1995 2 ****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE ******************* 131 Projected Meeting Schedule and Items for Action: Mr. Bowyer reported that Mark Moore Homes has submitted definitive plans for Winship Common,the proposed cluster subdivision at Lowell and Haskell Street. He suggested scheduling a public hearing in September. He went on to alert the Board to the following matters which will come before it in upcoming months: a. Inquiries have been made of the staff in recent weeks by a number of companies wanting to build continuing care/retirement communities in Lexington. The staff and local representatives of the Marriott Corporation have already met twice to discuss Marriott's desire to develop one on Lowell Street where Plant Action currently has its greenhouses. b. Garfield Street Extension subdivision: acceptance of the covenant and endorsement of plans. c. The RD/CD guidelines need to be rewritten, reviewed by the Board and adopted as Section 6 of the Development Regulations. d. 110 Grove Street e. Earl Street f. Tracer Lane It was agreed to cancel the meeting scheduled for August 30 and to schedule a meeting for each Monday in September. Mr. Canale suggested working on the Comprehensive Plan. ************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS ************************** 132. Procedures for Subdivisions: Referring to a memo about subdivision procedures written by the Planning Director, Mrs. Davison introduced the subject of possible changes to the Development Regulations. She cited Section 5.6.2.3., street standards, as a particular concern, and believes the Board should add language to that section to allow a narrower pavement width for streets that will not become public ways. The Town's street construction standards have become an issue in several recent subdivision proposals, specifically, Garfield Street Extension and Denver Street. Mrs. Davison proposed adding a second set of street standards, allowing a narrower pavement width to be used when a subdivision street passes through an "environmentally sensitive area." Mr. Merrill and Mr. Davies questioned how environmentally sensitive would be defined. Mr. Canale and Mr. Bowyer pointed out that the Garfield Street plan was not subjected to a full evaluation on environmental grounds. Mr. Canale commented that drainage issues for other parts of the building lot and the drainage near the road in the swale were not examined by anyone involved. Mr. Merrill said that the current Development Regulations, in concert with the Conservation Commission Regulations, should prevent much of this environmentally sensitive land from being developed. He expressed concern that easing the Board's Regulations might encourage more building on such land. Mr Bowyer said that in past years, the Planning Board has not encroached on another Board's or Commission's jurisdiction. For instance wetland protection is within the Conservation Commission's jurisdiction. He believes that in the case of Garfield Street Extension, the Conservation Commission erred in specifying a certain pavement width, which is the Planning Board's jurisdiction, in its Order of Conditions. Mr. Davies suggested including language in the Regulations, such as "the Board may approve a narrower pavement width in certain cases,"to help the Conservation Commission in cases like Garfield Street. with the understanding that the road will never be accepted by the Town. Mr. Canale suggested the wording "when the Planning Board judges it to be the best solution or for aesthetic reasons." Mr. Davies recognized 3 Minutes for the meeting of August 16, 1995 the difficulty is drafting language that defines what those "certain cases" or "aesthetic reasons" may be so that guidance is given to the applicant and the Board has criteria to use. He offered to try and draft that language. It was agreed that the idea, of limiting the Town's provision of snow removal and trash collection as part of a deed restriction in exchange for reduced construction standards, needs more work and that the Board of Selectmen and the Department of Public Works, who are responsible for those services, must be involved. Mr. Canale also suggested setting a lower impervious surface ratio on residential development, as alternative mechanism. Mr. Davies agreed, saying that the floor area ratio technique works very well in the Town of Brookline. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m. , Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk