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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 1989-01-23 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 1989 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7: 38 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Klauminzer, Sorensen, Williams, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Nordby and Secretary Peters present. ************************* REPORTS ****************************************** 13. Planning Director a. MAPC, Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee: The Board discussed a letter from David Soule, Executive Director of MAPC, dated 1-12-89, inviting it to send a representative to a committee being formed, consisting of representatives from Waltham, Weston, Lincoln, Lexington and Cambridge, to consider the protection of the watershed of the Cambridge Reservoir. Mr. Williams agreed to serve as the Board's representative. **************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 14. Applications to be heard on February 9, 1989: Mrs. Wood gave an oral review of the following applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals. 3 i 2027 Mass. Avenue, Dana Home, Inc., SP, for standing sign. Mr. Williams abstained from any discussion or action on this recommendation, because he serves as president and chairman of the board for Dana Home, Inc. The Board agreed there is a need for a sign to identify Dana Home. However, they considered the proposed sign inappropriate for the neighborhood, both in size and appearance, and noted they preferred to see a smaller sign that was attached to the building. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted 4-0-1 (Mr. Williams abstained) to recommend the Board of Appeals not grant the special permit , but that they suggest the applicant revise the sign to be smaller, attached to the building and more in character with a residen- tial neighborhood. Lot Abutting 57 Meriam Street, Harley H. Anderson, SP under Article XXX of the General By-Laws for placement of fill to establish grade for a building lot. The Board noted this was the first application under the new fill by-law. They agreed they had no comment except to suggest the work should be monitored by the Conservation Commission. 425 Woburn St. , Woodhaven Realty Co., Request under Section 8.1. 15, 1984 Zoning By-Law, for a determination that the addition of a greenhouse over a deck at #46 Countryside Manor, is a minor revision to the special permit, and a public hearing will not be required. Mrs. Wood reported that a renter had erected a prefabricated greenhouse on top of an existing deck. Minutes for January 23, 1989 2 1 The Board expressed its continuing concern about attempts to legalize, after the fact, construction done without a building permit. They agreed it was their perception that this addition set a bad precedent, and if allowed, others may want to add to their apartments also. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 4-1-0 (Mr. Williams voted in the negative) to recommend that the Board of Appeals determine this is not a minor revision, and that a public hearing should be held. The Board also agreed to make no comment on the following application: 22 Fair Oaks Drive, Bill & Lisa Lahey, SP, to add a second floor over a portion of a nonconforming dwelling with no change in site coverage. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 15. Ledgemont Subdivision, The Beal Company, Hayden Avenue: The Board reviewed a draft of a document entitled: "ATTACHMENT I CERTIFICATE OF ACTION", dated January 21, 1989. Ms. Nordby reported Town Counsel has approved the language, which is required by the Certificate of Action, as approved by the Board. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 5-0-0 to amend the Certificate of Action with "ATTACHMENT I CERTIFICATE OF ACTION" dated January 21, 1989. Ms. Nordby also reported that all information required prior to endorsement of the definitive subdivision plans has been received. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 5-0-0 to endorse the plans. 16. Ridge Estates III, Theodore Freeman, Jonas Stone Circle: Ms. Nordby reported that surety in the amount of $40,000 has been determined by the engineering department to be sufficient through January 23, 1990, for the completion of community facilities and the subdivision; so that surety, in the amount of $70,000 currently held by the Town, can be reduced to $40,000. If the work has not been completed by January 23, 1990, the amount of surety necessary to complete the work will have to be reevaluated. She added the engineering department has requested that the Board waive the requirement for 6 inch bounds and allow the 5 inch bounds that have been installed to remain. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer it was voted 5-0: a. to waive the requirement for 6" bounds, allowing the installed 5" bounds to remain. b. to reduce the amount of surety held by the Town to $40,000, until January 23, 1990, when the amount of surety necessary to complete any remaining work will be reevaluated. c. to release Lot 4 off Jonas Stone Circle since sufficient surety has been furnished to the Town. Minutes for January 23, 1989 3 17. Pheasant Brook Estates II, Robert Cataldo: The Board agreed to schedule a public informational meeting for the preliminary subdivision plan on February 13, 1989. 18. Farmhurst V, Valleyfield Street, Robert Phelan: Ms. Nordby reported the Engineering Department has reviewed the as-built plans for Farmhurst V and found them to be satisfactory. They recommend the final surety in the amount of $10,000 be released. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 5-0 to release the surety in the amount of $10,000 held by the Town, and to release the covenant. 19. Philbrook Terrace, Grassland Street Development, Robert Phelan: Ms. Nordby reported the Town holds sufficient surety to release Lot 5, as re- quested by the developer. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 5-0 to release lot 5 off Philbrook Terrace. *********************** ARTICLES FOR THE 1989 TOWN MEETING ******************* 20. Technical Corrections, Zoning By-Law: The Board reviewed and corrected a draft of the article as of 1/19/89. In Amendment 1, they agreed the Town Manager should comment at Town Meeting that funding for this reclassified position is in the Town budget. They also agreed to drop Amendment 10, dealing with the method of determining when a lot is considered to be "across the street" from a different zoning district for the purpose of complying with the transition requirement in Section 10. 21. Adjustment; Half Story, Zoning By-Law: The Board reviewed and approved a draft of the article as of 1/19/89, as written. 22. Adjustment; Accessory Apartments, Zoning By-Law: The Board agreed to include this article under Technical Corrections, since it was not a substan- tive change of the By-Law. 23. Institutional Uses in Residential Districts , Zoning By-Law: The Board reviewed and corrected a draft as of 1/19/89. They agreed more information was needed such as what are the floor area ratios of existing churches and schools in town. ********************** AFFORDABLE HOUSING ****************************** 24. POLICY POSITIONS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: The Board discussed the follow- ing three policy positions on affordable housing. 1. Suggested Guidelines for Affordable Housing on Vacant Public Sites, as of 1/19/89: The Board agreed with the Selectmen on the importance of early neighborhood participation in any planning. Mr. Bowyer reported the Selectmen also felt there may need to be some moderate rate housing 1 Minutes for January 23, 1989 4 to carry the costs of infrastructure for the whole development. The Board agreed to revise the policy to reflect this, and also made other editorial revisions. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously to approve the 1/19/89 draft, as revised, and to send the revised policy to the Selectmen. 2. Criteria for Selection of Sites for Affordable Housing (dated 7/27/87): The Board reviewed the criteria and agreed to let the document stand as it is for the present. 3. Policy Positions and Comments about Meagherville-Pine Meadows, as of 1/19/89: The Board reviewed and corrected the draft policy positions and comments. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted unanimously to approve the draft, as revised, and send it to the Selectmen for their review. ************************** REPORTS ****************************************** 25. Planning Board, Subcommittees a. Chairmen's Breakfast: Mrs. Uhrig reported on last Friday's meeting with the Selectmen and Chairmen of other Town boards and committees. Under the general topic of Town Meeting, they agreed there would be no presentation of a new article after 10:30 p.m., all presentations would be limited to 20 minutes and the use of larger print graphics for easier readability by Town Meeting Members should be a requirement. b. Lexington Center Committee: Mrs. Wood reported on the presentation made by consultant David Dixon & Associates to the committee at their Thursday noon meeting on January 19, 1989. The consultants have asked to meet with interested Town boards and committees to hear their recommendations for the Center. It was agreed to invite them to meet with the Board on January 31, 1989. The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 16, 1989, at noon. c. TMMA Bus Tour: Mrs. Uhrig announced the bus tour is scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 1989. The meeting was adjourned at 10: 57 p.m. A.A4to..Li 1/, Eleanor Klauminzer, Clerk