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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes 1992-04-06 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 6, 1992 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7 32 p.m. by the Chairman, Mr. Williams, with members, Davison, Grant, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Marino and Secretary Tap present. Mr. Domnitz arrived during Item 59. Mrs. Wood was absent. 55. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of March 16, 1992. On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. The Board also reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of March 23, 1992. On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mrs. Davison, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. The Board also reviewed the minutes for the meeting of March 26, 1992. On the motion of Mr. Domnitz, seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written. ************************* PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************ 56. Planning Director a. MAPD Retreat. April 2-3 Mr. Bowyer reported some of the high- lights of the program, citing pertinent cases from the Annual Review of Land Use Law Cases. He briefly described the sessions on Design Review Guidelines and Economic Development. He gave Mrs. Davison copies of Brookline's sign design review documents. b. 581 Marrett Road: Mr. Bowyer related that a resident from the area near the CS commercial zone, recently the subject of a special permit application for a tire dealership, approached him about the possibility of down-zoning it to residential use. Mr. Bowyer suggested that he consider rezoning to a less intense business use as the economic repercussions of a radical downzoning would likely reduce his chances of accomplishing what he seeks. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************ PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL, LAW 57. Form A/92-2. 2261 and 2243 Massachusetts Avenue The Board reviewed a plan showing that Lot 3 on the plan is to be combined with Lot 2. On the motion of Mr. Domnitz, seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted unani- mously• ( to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. , dated March 20, 1992, certified by James R. Keenan, Professional Land Survey- or, with Form A/92-2, by applicant John A. Esserian, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. SOT Minutes for the Meeting of April 6, 1992 2 r' RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 58. Applications To Be Heard on April 30. 1992: Mr. Williams gave an oral review of the following application: 337-339 Massachusetts Avenue, Tigran Airapetian, special permit to sell no more than two used cars at any time at the rear of a two-family dwelling located in the CRS zoning district. The Board agreed to recommend denial of this petition. The Board notes that the applica- tion for a special permit is incomplete in that there is no parking plan or landscaping plan. The Board is especially concerned about the appearance of the property and the fact that a newly installed gate opens onto the Minute-Man Commuter Bikeway. The only other entrance is a small shared driveway. Mr. Williams had observed that there were 10 cars and a trailer on the property. Although it is in a commercial zone, the Board agreed that this use is not compatible with the size of the property. The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications below also scheduled to be heard by the Board of Appeals on April 30, 1992. 37 Percy Road. Michael and Katherine Longo: Requesting a variance to add a front porch to a nonconforming single-family dwelling. 5 Lexington Avenue. Lunda Gardner and David Zewinski: Requesting a special permit to add a second floor over a nonconforming portion of a single-family dwelling. 6 Westminster Avenue. Karen Petersen Requesting a variance to add a one-story addition at the rear of a nonconforming single-family dwell- ing. *********************** ARTICLES FOR 1992 TOWN MEETING *********************** 59. Article 23. Adjustments. Signs Mrs. Davison reported which people had so far received her packets of information on the proposed by-law amendment and her requests for feedback. Robert Whitman had responded, in part, by pointing out that the $100 fee for applying for a sign permit would be just one of the hurdles for an applicant for a sign. She felt that the fee is too high, particularly for small signs. In response to Mr. Grant's query about the Building Commissioner's reaction to the information she had sent out, Mrs. Davison related that he had not responded. Mr. Grant felt that his opinion should be obtained formally since he is the enforcing agent, has experience in this area, and his input is integral to the process. Mrs. Davison responded that he has received all of the material but hadn't had a chance to study it, but that he would answer by April 13. The Board agreed with Mr. Grant that their standard procedure should be to inform all parties, departments, etc. of any action the Board takes or plans to take which will affect them. Mr. Bowyer commented that the department's 901 Minutes for the Meeting of April 6, 1992 3 standard procedure is to furnish copies of the proposed amendments to those parties. Mr. Domnitz suggested revisions to various parts of the proposed amendments which it approved on March 16, 1992. After discussion, the Board agreed to change parts A, B c. , C 1 and C 2 of the March 16 draft. Mrs. Davison used a copy of the Town of Brookline's sign design guideline to illustrate how such guidelines can be used. The Board agreed that it is a good idea to have something like this to give to applicants for signs. It is something that could be worked on in the future. 60. Article 22. Dimensional Controls. Institutional Uses. Mr. Domnitz related the Selectmen's comments on this amendment, made at their meeting on March 30 which he and Mr. Williams attended. The Selectmen had concerns, especially about Cary Library's possible expansion. They asked that the Planning Board work with the Building Inspector. Mr. Domnitz pointed out that part A 3) of the proposed amendment, which would change the current footnote g to Table 2, Schedule of Dimensional Controls, presents a potential conflict between the requirements for floor area ratio and percentage of site coverage. The floor area ratio provision in the By-Law alone could not prevent a parking garage connected with an institutional use from being placed in a neighborhood, but the site coverage regulations could. Mr. Bowyer pointed out that requiring institutions to adhere to the more restrictive site coverage requirement could create a hardship and force buildings to be constructed "up" instead of "out". Since most institutional uses and all public buildings are subject to handicapped accessibility requirements, that provision might necessitate elevators and other expensive access related features that would not be required in a one story building. Mr. Domnitz thought a sentence in Steve Frederickson's letter was misleading although it is factually correct. Mr. Williams asked Mr. Domnitz to write a letter to Mr. Frederickson, to the Town Counsel and to the Board of Selectmen to ask for their thoughts for the April 13 meeting. An explanation of Cary Library's options for their addition should be provided. The substance of this letter should be part of the narrative that accompanies the amended motion in the report to Town Meeting. ************************ PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION ********************** 61. Staff Resources for Zoning Amendments Several members of the Board expressed concerns about the allocation of staff resources and the amount of staff support being provided to members who are preparing zoning amendments for the Town Meeting. A frank discussion was held, with both Mr. Bowyer and Board members expressing their opinions The meeting was adjourned at 10 22 p.m. C �'n � C40Zr Edmm�uund C. Grant, Clerk DOT