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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes 1990-05-14 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 14, 1990 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Wood, with members Domnitz, Klauminzer, Williams, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Nordby and Secretary Peters present. 112. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of April 11, 23, 25 and 30, 1990. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Domnitz, it was voted 4-0 to approve the minutes, as written. The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of April 17, 1990. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Domnitz, it was voted 4-0 to approve the minutes, as amended. At 7 40 p.m. , Mrs. Wood recessed the meeting so that the Board could join the Board of Selectmen in its meeting room to hear a report on the MAPC "MetroPlan 2000," presented by representatives from MAPC. MetroPlan 2000 was described as a regional development plan for the 101 communities in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council region. MAPC staff members said the plan's basic tenet was that concentrating development was economically and environmentally more practical than the current mode of scattered development. Also discussed was how Proposition 2 1/2 has influenced the actions of the cities and towns. It was reported that the study identified seven policy areas considered important to the area: economic development, housing, land resources, transportation, water and waste water, solid waste management, and siting regional facilities. Policy committees were formed to discuss and develop solutions and recommendations for solving problems in each policy area. Lexington's MAPC representative, Myla Kabot-Zinn, asked for reactions to the report and for recommendations from the two Boards. At 8 32 p.m. , Mrs. Wood reconvened the Planning Board meeting in Room G-15. ********************************** REPORTS **********************s********* 113. Planning Director a. APA Denver Conference: Mr Bowyer reported on some of the Con- ference sessions he attended. He said that one of the most interesting sessions was one on demographics, and the information expected to be extracted from the 1990 Federal Census. He added that what is happening in Lexington reflects national trends, post 1990. Also featured at the conference was a Comprehensive Plan for Denver, which focussed on the importance of good schools and ways planning activities supported that objective Minutes for the Meeting of May 14, 1990 2 b Planning Advisory Service Article on Day Care Mr. Bowyer reported that a good report on Day Care zoning had just been received from PAS, and pointed out the Lexington Zoning By-Law is essentially silent on day care A copy will be made for Board members. ******************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION *********************** 114. Change in the Length of Term on the Planning Board The Board discussed changing the length of the term of a Planning Board member from five years to three years, and proposing this change for the fall Special Town Meeting. Af- ter further consideration, a majority of the Board thought that people prefer- red not to have to run for office more often than necessary, and that the change in length of term should not be proposed for the Special Town Meeting. 115. Planning Board Committee Liaison Assignments Mrs. Wood announced that the following members will serve as the Planning Board representative on the committees below: Lexington Lighting Options Committee - Robert Domnitz Design Advisory Committee - Eleanor Klauminzer Lexington Center Committee - David Williams Pine Meadows/Meagherville Site Plan Development Committee - Martha Wood Minuteman Commuter Bike Path Implementation Committee - Martha Wood Mrs. Wood will invite the new Planning Board member, to be elected next week, to serve as the Board's HATS (Hanscom Area Town Committee) representative, if he/she wishes to do so. 116. Senate Bill 909. Grandfathering and Vested Rights The Board reviewed, making minor corrections, a draft letter supporting passage of Senate 909, which reduces the length of the grandfather period afforded definitive subdi- vision plans from eight years to four years. The Board agreed to send the letter, as amended, to Lexington's State representative, with a cover letter urging their support. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ********** RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 117 Hearing Scheduled for the Meeting of June 14. 1990 Mr. Domnitz gave an oral report on the following hearing to be heard by the Board of Appeals 20 Waltham Street, Eddie's of Lexington, SP, to continue operation of a restaurant with no changes except the change in name and ownership. Mr. Domnitz reported the applicant will continue using window boxes for planting seasonal flowers, in an effort to provide some landscaping to a business operation that directly abuts the sidewalk. On the motion of Minutes for the Meeting of May 14, 1990 3 Mr Williams, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer it was voted 4-0 to applaud the use of window boxes, and to recommend the special permit be granted. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 118. Orchard Crossing. Castelli. Release of Lot 12 Ms Nordby reported the stone walls are being completed, as required by the Board, and that all work on the public utilities should be completed by mid June. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted 4-0 to release Lot 12. 119. Turnburry Hill. Otis Brown. Request for Extension of Time on Certificate of Occupancy The Board discussed a letter from Mr. Brown, dated May 9, 1990, C outlining the work remaining before a permanent occupancy permit can be issued, and requesting an extension of the temporary certificate of occupancy permits from June 1 to August 1, 1990. The Board noted that the temporary Certificate of Occupancy permits were issued December 4, 1989, six months ago. On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted 4-0 not to permit an extension of time on the temporary certificate of occupancy, and that the terms voted at the Board's December 4, 1989 meeting, including the imposition of fines from June 1 on, will remain in effect. 120. Court Cases Mr. Bowyer reported that the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts rendered a decision on the Colangelo v. Board of Appeals case affirming the lower court's decision granting the plaintiffs a Section 7.4.4 exemption. That portion of the lower court's decision that declared the special permit provisions of the Zoning By-Law invalid was vacated by the Supreme Judicial Court, and a new judgement was entered dismissing that count in the plaintiffs' (Colangelo) complaint challenging the special permit provisions He added that the decision was a narrow one and did not address the variance or three acre minimum lot size questions. ********************** REPORTS ******************************************** 121. Planning Board. Subcommittees a. Hanscom Field/Massnort Expansion Mr. Domnitz reported there will be a joint meeting of HFAC (Hanscom Field Advisory Committee) and HATS (Hanscom Area Towns Committee) tomorrow evening to hear about the pro- posed Continental Airline commuter proposal. Both committees are very concerned. He will report on the joint meeting at the Board's next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10 30 p.m. Cyrr6 tpCw / � David Williams, Clerk