HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 1989-12-18 PLANNING BOARD MEETING
MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 18, 1989
302. Northgate Comprehensive Permit: At 8:08 p.m. , Planning Board members
Klauminzer, Sorensen, Williams, Wood and Uhrig joined the Selectmen and the
Conservation Committee in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Hall to hear a
presentation for a comprehensive permit proposal by Northgate Management
Corporation, represented by Dennis Sargent. The presentation was made by
Robert Engler, advisor for the site design and subsidized housing elements,
who was assisted by architect John Winslow.
Engler and Winslow presented four alternative site plans responding to
different natural features on the site or different objectives. The alterna-
tives ranged from 208 to 222 dwelling units on the 18 acre site.
At 9:10 p.m. , following the presentation, the Planning Board recessed and
reconvened in Room G-15, Town Office Building. The meeting was called to
order at 9:23 p.m. by the Chairman Mrs. Wood, with members Klauminzer,
Sorensen, Williams, Uhrig, Planning Director Bowyer and Planning Aide Kotval
present.
The Board discussed the information presented at the joint meeting. In
response to a question from Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Bowyer said the purpose of the
joint meeting was to provide an opportunity for the developer to present
alternative development proposals to the three boards and to start a process
of the Town expressing its preferences and objectives for the site.
Mr. Williams stated that there should be no development on the west slope,
next to the conservation land. Mr. Sorensen proposed, and the Board agreed,
that a condition for approval of the comprehensive permit must be that all
dwelling units remain as rental units forever. They discussed who would be
doing the negotiating for the Town. The Board agreed to devote substantial
time at its next meeting in January, to develop a Board position on the
proposal.
************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ****************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
303. Additional Petitions Scheduled for January 11, 1989: Mr. Williams gave
an oral review of the following petitions:
277 Bedford Street, Mobil Oil Corporation, SP, to replace a self-service
island and a full-service island with two 30 foot self-service islands,
increasing the number of pumps from 3 to 4 and to modify the 20 foot
transition area screening requirement in the CN Zoning District. The
Board did not see any landscaping plan for the screening as required
under Section 10 of the Zoning By-Law. On the motion of Mr. Williams,
seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted 5-0 to advise the Board of Appeals
that it considers this petition to be incorrect and incomplete.
277 Bedford Street, Mobil Oil Corporation, Variance, to replace a non-
conforming 12 foot full service pump island with a 30 foot self service
pump island with a front yard setback of 13'-6". The Board agreed the
30 foot pump island nearest the Bedford Street was too long and should
Minutes for the meeting of December 18, 1989 2
be redesigned to be more consistent with the shape of the lot which is
narrower near Bedford Street.
************************ REPORTS *********************************************
304. Planning Director
a. Disposal of Railroad Spur: Mr. Bowyer reported that the bids from
the Towns of Bedford and Lexington, on the seven-acre railroad spur
parcel, were below the high bid of the Michael and Steven Colangelo of
Lexington Management Inc. He also reported that the General Services
Administration has 60 days to determine whether or not to re-auction the
land, because the Colangelo bid of $125,000 was considered too low. He
added that no agreement between the Colangelos and the Town had been
reached on settling the litigation over the Maguire Road/Hartwell Avenue
dispute in the context of Colangelo's purchase of the railroad spur.
b. Withdrawal of Eph Weiss Citizen's Article: Mr. Bowyer reported that
Town Counsel believes that the citizen's article proposed by Eph Weiss
was improperly filed for the Special Town Meeting in September, since it
did not have the correct number of signatures, so it is now moot for
Annual Town Meeting. Town Counsel also advised it would be desirable
for Mr. Weiss to officially withdraw his petition which may be done by a
letter.
305. Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. Sign Section of Zoning By-Law: Mrs. Wood reported that John Frey of
the Design Advisory Committee, has said the Committee is interested in
seeing the Sign section of the Zoning By-Law revised, but not this year.
Mrs. Klauminzer commented that if the whole section is to be revised in
the near future, perhaps the Board may wish to rethink bringing in the
banner article for this Town Meeting. It was agreed to review that idea
after the public hearing on the proposed amendment.
b. Lexington Center Committee: Mrs. Wood reported the committee will
meet at noon on January 11, 1990 to discuss the David Dixon Report, and
that she will be unable to attend. Mr. Williams will attend and will
call Mr. Dixon for a copy of the report for the Planning Board, since it
is available and the Board does not have a copy.
c. Pine Meadow/Meagherville Site Development Committee: Mrs. Wood re-
ported the Committee has agreed to recommend that 40 affordable units be
developed on the site, with an as yet undetermined number of additional
market rate units, and that some financing be obtained by selling part
of the land for private development. Mr. Williams stated it was unac-
ceptable to him that any of the land be sold to private developers to
raise money. Mrs. Wood also reported that neighborhood members of the
Committee will recommend that 17 affordable units be developed on the
site; a kind of scattered site plan, using existing roadways.
. J
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
a 417.141(4
David G. Williams, Clerk