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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes 1990-04-25 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 25, 1990 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Wood, with members Domnitz, Klauminzer, Williams and Assistant Planner Nordby present. Mrs. Uhrig arrived at 7 30 p.m. during Item 105. *********** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************** RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 104. Hearings Scheduled for Mav 10. 1990 Mr. Williams gave an oral review of the following applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals: 80 Hayden Avenue, Hayden Ave. Limited Partnership, determination if it is a minor revision, to add a 440 sq. ft. storage area to the ground floor level of the bldg. The Board agreed that the proposed construc- tion of a 440 sq. ft. storage area on the ground floor level of the building is a minor revision and that a public hearing is not required, unless parking spaces are removed, leaving an insufficient amount of parking as required by the Zoning By-Law. 2377 Mass. Avenue, John McNamara, variance, to allow the gross floor area of an accessory apartment in an accessory structure to be 1,234 sq. ft. , exceeding the 900 sq. ft. minimum allowed. Mr. Williams reported there is no existing parking in the barn. The Board commented the character of the barn should be maintained. They also noted that, although the barn is larger than allowed by the Zoning By-Law, in this particular case, the Board did not find the size objectionable. On the motion of David Williams, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 3-0-1 (Mr. Domnitz voted in the negative) to recommend that the variance be granted, and to recommend the special permit be granted to convert the barn into an accessory apartment, with the comment that, as the Zoning By-Law requires, the exterior appearance of the barn on the street side, should remain in appearance basically as constructed, i.e. a barn. The Board supported the addition of windows on the sides and rear of the barn away from the street. 2377 Mass. Avenue, John McNamara, SP, to convert a barn into a new accessory apt. in an accessory structure. See above. Mrs. Uhrig joined the meeting during discussion of the next application. Mr. Domnitz gave an oral review of the following application to be heard by the Board of appeals. 27 N. Hancock St. , Walter & Margaret Kmiec, for variances from the 10' side yard setback requirement to add a family/sun room on the SW side with a 7.5 ft. setback and an open carport on the NW side with an 8.5 ft. setback onto a nonconforming single-family dwelling. Mr. Domnitz Minutes for the Meeting of April 25, 1990 2 reported that the applicant also proposes to add a wash room on the same side as the carport, and this is what pushes the carport into the setback. The Board noted that none of the statutory criteria for granting a variance, relating to soil conditions, shape or topography, has been demonstrated, and suggested that the wash room be relocated, so that the carport would not intrude into the setback. On the motion of Mr. Domnitz, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted 3-0-1 (Mrs. Uhrig abstained as she was not present to hear all of the discussion) to recommend the variances be denied. **************** ARTICLES FOR 1990 TOWN MEETING ************************** 105. Article 56. draft report dated April 24 1990 Board members reviewed and corrected an updated draft of the Article 56 report, distributed by the staff the previous evening and revised earlier today after Board members had called in their recommendations and corrections. A majority of the Board agreed to recommend that Article 56 be disapproved. A majority of the Board concurred with reason #1, that the number of affordable housing units proposed is too low. Mr. Domnitz disagreed. A majority of the Board concurred with reason #2, requiring a through road. Mr. Williams stated he could not vote for a through road. The majority of the Planning Board concurred with reason #3, relating to development costs being underestimated. Mr. Williams sug- gested wording saying that the financing plan does not appear to be advisable. Mrs. Wood did not think the plan was feasible. The Board unanimously con- curred with reason #4, that the proposal was too undefined at the time of this Ill report, and for reason #5, that the land should remain in Town ownership. A straw vote of the Board indicated that, even if this were the only plan to be approved by Town Meeting, the majority of the Board could not vote for a plan proposing only 20 units. Members agreed to call in any further correc- tions on this revised draft, that will be distributed Friday in their packets, and to vote on the final report on Monday, April 30, 1990 at their meeting before Town Meeting. 106. Article 55 Discussion of Draft Report The Board received the prelimi- nary report of the Pine Meadows - Meagherville Site Development Committee, which was delivered to the planning department this afternoon from the Board of Selectmen with a cover letter addressed to Town Meeting Members. Under Article 55, the Board of Selectmen will present a resolution calling for the endorsement of three guidelines for the Pine Meadows - Meagherville affordable housing site development. The Board reviewed and corrected a draft Planning Board report on Article 55 that responds to the Selectmen's guidelines contained in the resolution just received. Members agreed to call in corrections on a revised draft which will reflect these corrections, and which will be distributed Friday in their packets, and to vote on the final report on Monday, April 30, 1990 at their meeting before Town Meeting. Straw votes on the three guidelines proposed by the Selectmen, were taken. Guideline 1. A majority (four) of the Planning Board favored the position that at least 40 units should be built; Mr. Domnitz was opposed. Minutes for the Meeting of April 25, 1990 3 Guideline 2. A majority (three) of the Planning Board favored a through road connecting Cedar Street and Garfield Street; Mr. Williams and Mr. Domnitz were opposed. Guideline 3. A majority of the Planning Board (three) were opposed to the sale of up to 12 building lots to private developers for single family housing to finance the development; Mrs. Klauminzer and Mrs. Wood were in favor of the sale of lots. The meeting was adjourned at 8 30 p.m. CM1 6 tij David G. Williams,Clerk