HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 1989-09-18 1
I PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 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. Wood, with
members Sorensen and Williams, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner
Nordby and Secretary Peters present. Mrs. Uhrig and Mrs. Klauminzer were
absent.
************************** REPORTS *****************************************
224. Planning Director
a. Lighting Regulations: Mr. Bowyer reported on a conversation he had
with Town Meeting Member, Myla Kabat-Zinn, about the need for a lighting
by-law, or provisions in the Zoning By-Law dealing with lighting, that
would focus on controlling nuisance lighting and establishing lighting
standards throughout the Town. The staff will put together any depart-
ment information, available for their use. He also suggested that she
get in touch with the Town Manager to discuss what Town resources might
be available for preparation of a lighting by-law.
**************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS **************
1 :
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
225. Rollout of Plan Recently Submitted (prior to staff review): The Board
reviewed a definitive plan submission, filed August 29, 1989, entitled
Pheasant Brook Estates Section II, located between the ends of Butterfield
Road and Maple Tree Lane.
226. Pond Court. Lowell Street. Storch Associates: Kevin Norton, of Storch
Associates, representing Hub Development Corporation, Lexington, presented two
preliminary proposals for a cluster subdivision of four dwelling units on 3.3
acres off Lowell Street. For "Scheme A", they propose two new buildings, each
containing two units. There is also an existing house that they propose to
rehab. For "Scheme B", they propose four units in two buildings with the
existing house and barn demolished.
In response to a question from Mr. Williams, he reported that they have filed
for and received a determination of wetlands from the Conservation Commission,
and that there are a "few minor concerns" that will have to be worked out.
Mr. Sorensen noted, and the Board agreed, that since the proof plan shows
there can be a maximum of four dwelling units, there can be no more than four
dwelling units in either proposal. In response to other questions, Mr. Norton
stated that each unit contains approximately 2,000 sq. ft. He added they pro-
pose a 20 foot wide roadway, that will remain private.
The Board noted that the location of the common open space and the usable open
space must be shown on the plan; and that the subdivision can contain no more
than four dwelling units. They suggested a hammerhead turnaround be con-
sidered to reduce the amount of pavement on the site; they indicated they
Minutes for the Meeting of September 18, 1989 2
might consider incorporating some sort of natural pathway instead of a
standard sidewalk; and they recommended that, as the next step, the applicant
file one preliminary plan incorporating these recommendations. Mr. Sorensen
suggested that Mr. Norton recheck some of the calculations shown on the plan,
and that he obtain a letter from Boston Edison stating that their interest in
the existing right-of-way over the property has been abandoned.
Later in the evening, the Board gave direction to the staff for preparation of
the decision. They agreed that none of the plans were acceptable and recom-
mended the applicant file another preliminary plan. They also agreed that a
refined Scheme A, with a 24 foot wide roadway that will remain private and end
in a hammerhead, has the most potential to be an acceptable plan. A landscape
plan showing existing trees on the site is required; a walkway that does not
follow the road would be considered; and no more than four dwelling units can
be allowed, as demonstrated by the proof plan.
227. Subdivision Streets for Acceptance: The Board reviewed a draft memo
from the Planning Board to the Board of Selectmen, dated September 18, 1989,
listing several completed subdivision streets that could be proposed for
acceptance at the 1990 Annual Town Meeting.
The Board granted the president of the Pheasant Brook Neighborhood Associa-
tion, Joseph Dini, permission to ask what could be done about cleaning up some
conservation areas that abut private property in the subdivision, and what
process is followed to bring the streets before Town Meeting for acceptance.
Mr. Bowyer noted that the landscaping meets Town requirements, which are not
very rigorous, and not what the Board would like to see. Ms. Nordby reported
that the work shown on the as-built plans, as remaining to be completed is
proceeding well.
On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unani-
mously to recommend to the Selectmen that the following streets be proposed to
the 1990 Town Meeting for acceptance by the Town:
Philbrook Terrace
Solomon Pierce Road
Joseph Comee Road
Lothrup Circle
Butterfield Road, from the end of Solomon Pierce Rd. to Joseph Comee Rd.
East Emerson Road
Jonas Stone Circle
Tidd Circle and
North Emerson Road (from Diamond Street to the end of the cul-de-sac).
228. Carchia Woods. release of Lot 5: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen,
seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted unanimously to release Lot 5.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
229. 57 Bedford Street. Lumberyard Office Building: The Board reviewed and
approved a letter to Attorney James Whalen of Palmer & Dodge thanking him for
his "prompt response and creative solution to the unique issues posed by the
Lumberyard Office Building zoning situation". The letter responded to some
language in Mr. Whalen's opinion to clarify that the building is vested under
Minutes for the Meeting of September 18, 1989 3
the 1986 Zoning By-Law only for the uses stated on the building permit and not
for uses permitted in the former CG zoning district.
************* ARTICLES FOR SEPTEMBER SPECIAL TOWN MEETING *******************
230. Preparation for Special Town Meeting: The Board reviewed a draft of the
1989 Annual Housing Report and Planning Board Report on Affordable Housing,
making corrections. The report will be corrected and ready for action by the
Board at its next meeting on September 25, 1989.
******************** ARTICLES FOR 1990 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ******************
231. Preliminary Discussion: Mrs. Wood reported that businesses in the Town
center have asked to come talk with the Board in the next couple of weeks
about how to prepare legislation to allow banners, moving types of signs or
window signs. Mr. Bowyer commented that the only major section of the Zoning
By-Law that has not recently been revised is the section regulating signs. He
added that it will be difficult to revise this section because there are so
many policy questions to be resolved before any work can begin on actually
drafting a revised section. The Board agreed it would be a very complicated
revision, and there would not be time to do it for this year's town meeting.
The Board also discussed Mr. Sorensen's proposed zoning revision to Section
1 4.1.8 of the Zoning By-Law that would add wording to clarify what constitutes
a substantial change in use and that, where the new use can not meet the
standards required for the old use, a new special permit be required.
******************************** REPORTS **********************************
231. Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. Lexington Center Committee: Mrs. Wood reported that the committee
had discussed the David Dixon Report at their last meeting. The
Planning Board has been asked to read the latest draft and get their
comments back to the Board of Selectmen by September 28, 1989. The
Board discussed some of their preliminary concerns about the report.
The Center committee's next meeting is to be a joint meeting with the
Design Advisory Committee on October 10, 1989 at 8 p.m.
The Board agreed to send a memo to the Board of Selectmen stating that
they will be unable to respond to the David Dixon Report before the
middle of October, and that a weeks notice in the middle of preparation
for the fall town meeting is not enough time to respond.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
977644 (.4/06L4"4
David G. Williams, Clerk