HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 09-25-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at
7.43 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and
Assistant Planner Marino present.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
144 Recent Activity
a. Projected Schedule of Staff Activities: Mr. Bowyer described projects that he and Mr. Marino are currently
involved in or obligated to do in the coming weeks.
1 Drafting two memoranda of understanding for the Met. State Hospital Task Force: 1) one between the
three communities and the State Division of Capital Planning and Operations, and 2) among the three
communities. The reuse of the Met. State site is a multi-stage process.
2. Updating the RD,CD guidelines.
3 Mr. Marino has been asked by the Town Manager to act as technical staff to Lexington's HATS
representatives as they review the Hanscom Field GEIR. Mr. Marino also was assigned as staff to the
Selectmen's Business Committee's subcommittee on new technology and to the LexHAB Ad-hoc Review
Committee. Mr. Bowyer will work with the LexHAB Ad Hoc group.
4 Mr. Marino's has numerous involvements in the Town's computer systems.
5 Ms. Tap is working on setting up a large table of multi-family developments, including some nursing
homes.
6. Volume 2 of the Socio-Economic Characteristics of Lexington series.
7 Preparation of the 1997 Fiscal Year Capital Budget and Capital Improvements Program.
8. Job Descriptions for a new Wage and Job Classification Study.
9 Development applications.
10 APA and Conference.
b. Met State Hosnital Legislation: Mr. Bowyer reported that State Senator Lucile Hicks will be at the
Selectmen's Meeting on October 2 to report on the status of the Metropolitan State Hospital Land Reuse
Legislation. The Board of Selectmen has invited the Planning Board to the meeting.
*************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ****************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
145 51 Lowell Street. Definitive Cluster Subdivision Plan. Mark Moore Homes: Frank Carney, representing
Mark Moore Homes,the applicant,was present.The Board discussed the road configuration. Some of the members
thought there is too much pavement.
Some members expressed concern that the definitive plan was so finalized reducing opportunity for discussion and
public involvement. That may be because the preliminary plan stage was skipped as the applicant went directly
from the sketch plan to the definitive plan.
Xuyong Huang, 25 Summer Street, was present to speak out against the development. He is a close abutter to
the project. Mr. Huang expressed his disappointment that he had little time to react to this proposal, saying he
would have preferred a conventional subdivision as it would have provided more space between his house and
the development.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of September 25, 1995
The Board reviewed and revised draft decisions,dated September 25, 1995, prepared by the staff. On the motion
of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Winship Common", dated July 28, 1995,
2) approve the certificate of action, dated September 25, 1995;as amended; -
3) grant a special permit with site plan review (SPS) for a planned residential development/conventional
subdivision; and grant other special permits as cited in the decision;
4) approve the decision, granting the special permit with site plan review (SPS), and granting other special
permits as cited in the decision, dated September 25, 1995, as amended.
146 108 Grove Street. Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Mark Moore Homes: The Board reviewed a draft
decision on the 108 Grove Street Subdivision Preliminary Plan, dated September 25, 1995 On the motion of Mr.
Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to:
1) approve the preliminary subdivision plan, entitled "108 Grove Street" dated August 18, 1995,
2) approve the draft decision dated September 25, 1995, as written.
*************************** PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS **************************
147 Revision of Development Regulations: RD CD Rezoning. Chapter 7 Development Regulations The
Board reviewed the latest draft of Chapter 7 of the Development Regulations. Mt Bowyer characterized the
process called for in Chapter 7 as an opportunity to put the Board in a position to give stmcture to a process and
to play an important role in building consensus among Town boards and committees. Mr. Bowyer also pointed
out that as the Met. State Hospital land reuse legislation nears passage, the RD, CD Rezoning procedure will
become more important. He said the staff would prepare an informal guideline for developers who will need some
guidance in dealing with Lexington's unique requirements.
The Board agreed that outreach to other boards and committees during the process is important. Mt Canale asked
why the Board of Appeals is the Special Permit Granting Authority in the final step. Mt Bowyer said that the
reasons were primarily historical and that some thought it provided checks and balances. The Board briefly
discussed submitting an amendment to the Zoning By-Law to the Town Meeting to have the Planning Board be
the SPGA for planned development zoning districts.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
148 Applications To Be Heard on October 26. 1995 Mt Merrill gave an oral review of the following
application.
19A Oakland Street, Bruce Hauptman, M.D.,special permit to continue to use a small cottage on the property
as a part time office
The Board agreed to make no comment on the application.
************************************** REPORTS ***************************************
149 Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. Middlesex County Hospital Reuse: Mt Canale reported that the Middlesex County Commissioners have
abandoned plans for an assisted living facility on the site of the Middlesex County Hospital.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m.
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk