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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes 1990-06-04 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JUNE 4, 1990 Following a visit by the Planning Board to the proposed Wood Street Develop- ment site at 7 30 p.m. , the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 8 27 p.m. by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Klauminzer, with members Domnitz, Grant, Williams, Planning Director Bowyer, Acting Assistant Planner Marino, former Assistant Planner Nordby and Secretary Peters present. Mrs. Wood was absent. *************************** REPORTS *************************************** 131. Planning Director a. Hanscom Field Expansion Mr. Bowyer reported that a quorum of Selectmen would not be available for a joint meeting with the Planning Board until June 25, 1990. Mr. Domnitz suggested, and the Board agreed, that any Planning Board members who wish to bring this matter to the Board of Selectmen's attention before June 25, may ask to meet with the Board of Selectmen at its next scheduled meeting, either the 11th or the 18th of June. b. Rollout of Preliminary Plan Prior to Staff Review, Orchard Crossing Lot 16: Mr. Bowyer reported a preliminary plan was filed for an amend- ment to the approved definitive plan that proposes that Got 16 be di- vided into four lots, with one building, containing two dwelling units, on each lot. The process will require a new public hearing. The staff hopes to have a more detailed review prepared for the June 25 meeting. c. Board Orientation for New Members The Board agreed to schedule the orientation session for the same evening as the joint meeting with the Selectmen on the Regional Postal Service Distribution Center. ****************** DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ************************************* 132. Regional Postal Service Distribution Center. Smith Street Waltham: The Board discussed a summary of the Site Planning Report Environmental Assessment for the proposed center. Joining the discussion were members of the South Lexington Civic Association. Mr. Bowyer thought that the impact statement was flawed since it did not discuss impacts beyond the Waltham borders, and the effects on Lexington streets in the area were not addressed. In response to questions from the Board, he added it would serve post offices mostly located between Route 2 and Route 9, as far south as Needham, and including Lexington and Arlington. Presumably most of the traffic would travel south via Trapelo Road, Route 128 and would eventually use the Mass. Turnpike to the main postal station at South Station. Arrival and departure times of employees are spread around the clock, in contrast to employees in office buildings who usually arrive and depart at peak traffic times. fff Richard Canale, President, South Lexington Civic Association, commented that no serious traffic studies had been made at the intersections of Smith Minutes for the Meeting of June 4, 1990 2 Street/Trapelo Road, Spring Street/Concord Ave and Trapelo Road/Route 128 interchange. He added that the Postal Service contends it has no respon- sibility to provide "mitigating measures" as would be required by any private developer proposing to develop the site. He also noted that it is projected there will be approximately 100, 20 to 40 ft. long, trailers entering and leaving the site daily, with approximately 60 trucks arriving and departing between midnight and 6 p.m. He thought that this increase in both traffic and noise was excessive for a primarily residential neighborhood. Mr. Canale reported the South Lexington Civic Assn. has invited the Lincoln Heights Assn and the Hobbs Brook Assn. , both in Waltham, and Mr. Charles Vidich, Senior Environmental Engineer, USPS Facilities Service Center in Windsor, CT, to a meeting in Cary Hall on Tuesday, June 26, 1990, where the Association will present its views on the proposed facility. He also invited the Planning Board to attend. The Board agreed to request a meeting with the Board of Selectmen for a discussion of the proposal as soon as possible, preferably on the 11th or 18th of June. ************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************** PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 133. Form A at 11 Lowell Street. David Hornstein, Discussion. The Board reviewed a sketch plan showing an existing lot with frontage both on Lowell Street and Westminster Avenue, with access to the lot, off the Westminster Avenue frontage. They noted that neither frontage meets today's zoning requirements. The owner wishes to sell a narrow strip along his side property line to the owner next door, which would reduce the the Lowell Street fron- tage. The Board agreed he could apply for a Form A to accomplish this since his legal, and longer, Westminster Avenue frontage would be unchanged. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 134. Hearings Scheduled for June 14. and 28. 1990 Mr. Domnitz gave an oral review of the applications below to be heard by the Board of Appeals. 55 Oak Street, Ellen 0. Hall, renew SP for two years for continued use of a temporary accessory apartment On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted 4-0 to recommend the special permit be renewed with the same conditions contained in the previous special permit. 191 Suring Street, 191 Spring Street Trust, to extend, renew and re- issue a special permit with site plan review for the development of two office buildings, with parking. Mr. Domnitz reported that changes in the State curb cut/access law, had required an intensive environmental impact study, and that this had delayed the applicant's building plans. The Board agreed that this could be considered "just cause" , i.e. beyond the control of the applicant. However, the Board did not think market conditions fall under this classification. Minutes for the Meeting of June 4, 1990 3 On the motion of Mr. Domnitz, seconded by Mr. Williams it was voted 4-0 to recommend the application to extend, renew and re-issue a special permit granted by the Board of Appeals in December of 1988 for a two year period be denied for the following reasons 1) market conditions are not "just" cause, and approximately three months have elapsed since a determination was made by the State that an environmental impact statement was not required; and 2) traffic conditions have worsened in the region due to the develop- ment in Waltham; and the new proposal, for a regional post office mail distribution center, on the abutting property, just over the Lexington line in Waltham, may further exacerbate the traffic problems. The Board also agreed that, if the Board of Appeals decides to extend the special permit, members recommend that the existing special permit, which will not expire until December 1990, be extended for one year only, until December 1991. A one year extension will give the applicant approximately a year and a half from today's date to begin construction. 191 Spring Street, 191 Spring Street Trust, to extend, renew and re- issue a special permit to permit a driveway on Lot 2 to lead to parking and loading on Lot 1. The Board recommended that this application be handled in a manner consistent with the previous application to extend, renew and reissue the special permit with site plan review II The Board also agreed to make no comment on the following applications: 18 Oakmount Circle, Carol Marine & Richard Smith, variance, to expand a Bs portecochere leaving a 25.82 front yard setback instead of the 30 feet required. 18 Oakmount Circle, same as above, SP to expand the second floor over the nonconforming portion of an enclosed porch with no increase in site coverage. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 135. Wood Street Development. Vilasi, Definitive Plan. The Board discussed background material distributed, pertaining to the Definitive Plan, filed March 15, 1990 by Joanne Vilasi. Mrs. Klauminzer commented that the issue of the illegal apartments has not been resolved. Mr. Bowyer responded that the applicant's position on this issue apparently is that provisions of the Zoning By-Law do not apply. In response to questions from the Board, Ms. Nordby said that the applicant has done nothing to try to legitimize the illegal apartments on the property, so that they could be retained on the site as rental units She said that no waivers have been requested except for the two that are not required any longer, and noted that this does not mean the plan complies with the Zoning By-Law and the Development Regulations, just that the applicant did not request waivers for anything further. Minutes for the Meeting of June 4, 1990 4 The Board discussed several examples listed in an analysis of the definitive plan where required information was omitted, or where the plan did not comply with the provisions set forth in the Development Regulations, the Zoning By- Law, and the Town's Standard Specifications. They also discussed what options were available to the Town to try to legitimize the rental units so they would not be lost as rental stock. Mrs. Klauminzer asked that any comments on the staff analysis from Board members be forwarded to the staff to become part of Board's decision on the subdivision. *********************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION ************************ 136. Signature Sheets for Registry and Land Court As required by State statute, the Board endorsed signature sheets, required to be on file with the Registry of Deeds and the Land Court, reflecting the current membership of the Lexington Planning Board, and staff members authorized to sign for the Board. **************************** REPORTS *************************************** 137. Planning Board. Subcommittees a. Board and Staff Changes Mrs. Klauminzer welcomed new Board member Edmund Grant, and Acting Assistant Planner Joseph Marino. She also expressed the Board's appreciation and good wishes to former Assistant Planner Nordby, who will become Acting Conservation Administrator 138. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Litigation Against the Town TracerLane - Nahigian v Planning Board. At 10 49 p.m. , after an individual poll of the four members present, it was voted 4-0 to go into Executive Session to discuss future action available, following the recent Land Court decision against the Town, and to reconvene in open session only for the purpose of adjourning. The Planning Board returned to open session at 11 03 p m The meeting was adjourned at 11 04 p.m. 07,4111:1, . David G. Williams, Clerk