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Home My WebLink AboutPlanning Board minutes 12-04-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 1995 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.35 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. **************************************** MINUTES ************************************** 193 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the executive session of October 2, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, it was voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the minutes, as written. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of October 23, 1995. On the motion of Mr. Merrill, seconded by Mr Canale, it was voted 4-0-1 to approve the minutes, as written. Mrs. Davison abstained as she was not present at that meeting. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 7, 1995 On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously 5-0 to approve the minutes, as written. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 14, 1995 On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted 3-0-2 to approve the minutes, as written. Mr. Canale and Mr. Merrill abstained as they were not present at that meeting. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 194 Recent Activity a. Schoolhouse Lane. Revised Landscane Plan. Rollout: Mr. Bowyer rolled out a revised landscape plan for the Schoolhouse Lane subdivision, off Concord Avenue, that was submitted by John Esserian on December 4, 1995 The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. b. Brent Road Extension. Sketch Plan. Rollout: Mr Bowyer rolled out a sketch plan for the Brent Road Extension Subdivision, off Adams Street, that was submitted by Winnetucket Realty Trust on November 2, 1995 The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. Time for the Planning Board to act expires on December 22, 1995. c. Somewhere in the Development Pipeline: Mr Bowyer briefly described a number of potential developments for which no specific plan or proposal has been submitted. They are: 1 Grey Nuns, Pelham Road, possible rezoning proposal 2. Sale of Winning Farm property, off Woburn Street 3 The Mugar property at the Lexington/Waltham Street: possible rezoning proposal 4 160/170 Wood Street subdivision plan 5 Summit Road: street improvement plan, approval not required plan 5. Denver Street: Conservation Commission took action on the proposed subdivision. 6. Zoning interpretation about indoor play area for toddlers ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND --� 195 108 Grove Street. Definitive Subdivision Plan, Mark Moore Homes. Decision: The Board reviewed and revised draft decisions, dated December 4, 1995, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Grant, 2 Minutes for the Meeting of December 4, 1995 r seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted unanimously 5-0, to: 1) grant a special permit under section 7 4.5 of the Lexington Zoning By-Law to permit a reduction in lot frontage for lot #1 from 150' to 123:24' as shown on-the definitive subdivision entitled "108 Grove Street, Section 7 4.5 Subdivision, Lexington, Massachusetts,"dated December 4, 1995, 2) approve the decision, granting the special permit dated December 4, 1995, 3) approve with conditions the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "108 Grove Street, Section 7 4.5 Subdivision, Lexington, Massachusetts,"dated October 4, 1995, 4) approve the wording of the Certificate of Action, dated December 4, 1995 The Board voted not to grant the requested waiver to permit utilities to be overhead. PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 196. Form A/95-13, 2 Howard Munroe Place. Sheldon Corporation: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at 2 Howard Munroe Place. On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr Davies, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County)," dated November 22, 1995, prepared by H. Sleiman Associates, Woburn, MA. certified by David D Lanata, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/95-13, submitted by Robert Cataldo for the Sheldon Corporation, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law SUBDIVISION OF LAND 197 10 Summer Street. Certificate of Completion: The Board reviewed a draft motion prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr Grant, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0: WHEREAS, a definitive subdivision plan entitled 10 Summer Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, was approved by the Lexington Planning Board on September 9, 1994, and a covenant was executed by Barbara T Zack on November 8, 1994, and such plan and covenant were registered in Middlesex South Registry District of the Land Court, as Plan Number 23315D, and Document No. 963057, and noted on Certificate of Title No. 201338, Registration Book 1136, Page 188; and WHEREAS, on November 17, 1995, the Engineering Department of the Town of Lexington received a complete set of"as built" plans, which it retains in its records, and the Town Engineer on November 17, 1995, informed the Planning Board that all required work on such subdivision has been fully and satisfactorily completed; NOW THEREFORE, the undersigned, being a majority of the Planning Board of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, hereby certify that in the opinion of the Planning Board the construction of ways and installation of municipal services have been fully and satisfactorily completed by the applicant in accordance with the definitive subdivision plan and with the Planning Board's Development Regulations to serve all lots in the subdivision. Pursuant to Section 81-U of Chapter 41, M.G.L. and in consideration of completion of said construction and installation, the Lexington Planning Board hereby releases Barbara T Zack from the provisions of the covenant. Minutes for the Meeting of December 4, 1995 3 ************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************ 198. Marriott Assisted Living Proposal. 536-544 Lowell Street.Neighborhood Presentation: Mrs.Davison described a brief history of Marriott Corporation's proposal to build an assisted living facility on Lowell Street and the procedure that the Board is following. She then turned the floor over to Anthony Galaitsis,7 Burroughs Road. Mr. Galaitsis, representing a neighborhood group called Citizens Concerned about Zoning Policy, made a presentation, using slides and spoken material, supporting their request for the Planning Board to make a negative recommendation to Town Meeting on the Marriott proposal. Among their concerns were the traffic impact of the proposed facility and anticipated erosion of the single-family home neighborhood ambience that existed when they purchased houses there. Maura Sheehan, attorney for the residents, argued that the purpose of zoning is to prevent overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, to develop the natural scenic and aesthetic qualities of the community and to encourage housing for persons of all income levels. The neighbors believe that approval of the Marriott proposal would support none of these objectives. The facility is out of character with the neighborhood and violates zoning allowed by right. She expressed the residents' confidence in the political process and the Board's careful consideration of the facts presented. The Board thanked the group for their presentation. 199 Direction to the Staff to Prepare a Decision on the Marriott Proposal: The Board reviewed a draft decision,dated December 1, 1995, on the Marriott Corporation's sketch plan for an assisted living facility F at Lowell Street. The Board accepts, in principle, an assisted living facility on the Plant Action site.If properly designed, such a facility could be acceptable. But the Board agreed that the building proposed by Marriott is simply too big for the site and for the abutting residential area. If the building is too large, violations of other requirements of the Zoning By-Law are almost inevitable. Mr Merrill suggested additional traffic studies be added to the list of items the applicant should submit in order to gain a favorable recommendation from the Planning Board. ************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 200. Applications to be Heard on December 14. 1995 Mr. Canale gave an oral review of the following applications: 22 Freemont Street. Linda Moran, variance to add a landing and steps to front of dwelling The Planning Board believes that the applicant did not adequately address hardship in the submission they reviewed. They will recommend that the Board of Appeals deny the petition. The Board agreed to make no comment on the application below- 44 Downing Road, Sally Sestokas, renewal of special permit for home office The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 p.m. r. / a Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk