HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes 1992-06-15 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 15, 1992
At 7 00 p.m. the Planning Board met at property on Lowell street which is the
site of a proposed subdivision, and looked over the site with Laurie Lehnert,
a representative of Larson Associates, a landscape architecture firm.
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7 48 p m. by Chairman Williams, with members
Davison, Domnitz, Grant, Wood, Assistant Planner Marino and Secretary Tap
present
91. Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the
meeting of June 1 , 1992. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Domnitz,
it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.
***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
92. Applications To Be Heard on June 25. 1992: Mr. Domnitz gave an oral
review of the following applications
409 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington Toyota, Inc. , requesting modifica-
tion of a special permit to allow the service department to be open
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Board agreed that consideration for
abutting residents should he the primary concern of the Board of Appeals
in this case. A visual and sound barrier consisting of vegetation and
fencing should be erected to shield the neighbors to the north, It is
also important to verify that the landscaping between the dealership and
the Minute Man Commuter Bikeway, which was a condition of a 1987 special
permit, was actually done.
1010 Waltham Street, Brookhaven of Lexington, requesting a determination
that the proposed changes to its approved special permit with site plan
review constitute a minor revision so that a public hearing will not be
required. After much discussion, the Board agreed that the proposed
changes are not minor. Town Meeting approved a 41 bed facility and
Brookhaven is now asking for 49, a 20% increase, along with other
changes.
In the spirit of open process, fairness to neighbors, and because it can
reasonably be argued that the matter should go before Town Meeting, the I'
Board believes that at the least, an amendment to the special permit
with site plan review and a public hearing before the Board of Appeals
is required.
2 Oakmount Circle, Donald G. Sundue, requesting a variance from the 20
foot required setback to a side street to expand a one -car garage. On
a 3-2 vote, Mr Domnitz and Mrs. Davison advocating denial, the Board
made no comment Mr. Sundae's application
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Minutes for the Meeting of June 15, 1992 2
3 Abbott Road, Dr. Jane Forsyth, requesting renewal of a special permit
to continue to use a portion of her residence as an office. The Board
agreed to make no comment on Dr Forsyth's application.
Mr. Domnitz left before Item #93
************************ PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ***********************
93 Staff Reports
a. Proposed Asphalt Batch Plant Mr Marino reviewed a letter received by
Mr. Bowyer from Terry Szold, Burlington's Planning Director, that said that
Burlington anticipates that Quinn-Perkins Co. will be filing special permit
and site plan applications with the Burlington Planning Board for the purpose
of constructing an asphalt batch processing plant at its site on Adams Street
The matter will likely be discussed at the Burlington Planning Board's meeting
on June 18, 1992
Mr Williams asked Mr. Marino to call Ms. Szold after the meeting of the 18th
and report back to the Board and follow this issue as it develops
b. Tour of Hanscom Field Mr. Marino informed the Board of final details
regarding the Wednesday, June 24 tour of the air base.
c Tracer Lane Subdivision Mr Bowyer received a call from Ms Walz of
Palmer and Dodge saying that the trial in Land Court is tentatively scheduled
to begin August 28.
d. Development Rules and Regulations Mr Marino reported that Mr. Bowyer
expects to have Ch. 3 reworked and ready for the Board to review prior to the
packets being sent out for the meeting on June 29.
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
94 Wright Street Extension - Mid-term Review In response to Mr. Williams'
questions about the developer Kwi-yung Jung's recent letter of complaint to
the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Marino explained that Mr. Jung's requests are
unreasonable in the face of the Engineering Department's legitimate reasons z
for not approving Mr. Jung's plan. On the motion of Mr Grant, seconded by
Mrs Wood, the Board voted to support Engineering's position.
If the plan is not withdrawn, the Board will continue the review process, hold (,n
the public hearing on July 15, 1992, and render its decision. Based on O
information now available, the likelihood is that the Board will deny the plan
because it believes the plan does not comply with the Town's regulations.
95. Orchard Crossing Mr. Marino reported on the current status of this
subdivision The Board agrees with the staff's position and on the motion of
Mrs. Wood seconded by Mrs. Davison, voted unanimously to
1. deny the request from Joseph Castelli to release lot #6 because the
Board cannot certify that sufficient surety has been provided to secure
performance of the construction of ways and the installation of munici-
pal services in accordance with the certificate of action;
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Minutes for the Meeting of June 15, 1992 3
2 formallyrequestthat sufficient
surety y be provided The surety should
not be in the form of a letter of credit as the Board is concerned about
the ability of both the developer and a bank to stand behind a letter of
credit. The renewed surety preferably should be in the form of a bank
passbook;
3. inform the developer and Sterling Bank that if sufficient surety is not
provided within 10 days from today's date, it is the Board's intent to
vote to rescind the release of all lots for which a building permit has
not been issued;
4. deny the request from Joseph Castelli dated June 1, 1992 to amend any
requirements of the approved subdivision plan; and
5. request that the Building Commissioner and the Town Engineer not issue
any permits or certificates (including building permits, certificates of
occupancy, and sewer and water connection permits) until sufficient
surety has been provided to secure performance of the construction of
ways and the installation of municipal services in accordance with the
certificate of action
************************ REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES *************************
96 Met State Hospital Land Re-use Task Force Mr. Marino reported on the
recent meeting of this group. The State presented a time line for disposition
of the property which Mr. Marino feels is unrealistic given the problems of
hazardous waste disposal and demolition of the buildings on the site The
State would like to be done with the entire process by January of 1993.
The three communities involved have agreed to work together to decide on the
ultimate use of the property. Mr. Marino will draft a letter to be signed by
Belmont, Lexington and Waltham. The intent of the letter is to urge the state
to stop the disposal process and do a full Chapter 21E, M.G.L. hazardous waste
study which will identify all hazardous waste on the site, and to get an
estimate on the cost of demolishing the buildings.
Mr. Domnitz returned during Item #97.
97. Letter from John McWeenev Mr. Williams expressed the sentiment of the
Board when he said that they agree with Mr. McWeeney's thinking, as expressed
in his May 5 letter to the Board, on certain sections of the Zoning-By-Law
dealing with 2-family dwellings. Mr. McWeeney's letter took exception to the
Building Commissioner's decision on a petition from Ralph Frissore to expand a
two-family residence at 92-94 Blossomcrest Road. He believes that the
requirement for a variance to expand a two-family dwelling is excessive since
to build a two-family dwelling requires only a special permit He suggested
an amendment to the Zoning By-Law which would address this problem.
Mr. Domnitz commented that the By-Law allows the Board of Appeals to grant a
special permit for the conversion of an existing single-family dwelling into a
two-family provided conditions are met.
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Minutes for the Meeting of June 15, 1992 4
Mr Grant said that the Board is in favor in principle of inter-generational
housing. Mr Williams asked the staff to keep this letter on file for
possible action at the 1993 Town Meeting.
********************************** REPORTS **********************************
98. Planning Board, Subcommittees
a. Sign Advisory Committee Mrs. Davison reported on the June 2 meeting of
the involved parties She feels a good start was made, and a second meeting
has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 at 4 30 p.m.
b Lexington Center Committee Mrs. Davison attended a recent Lexington
Center Committee meeting where a proposed new design for Cary Library's main
entrance was presented. Also, a survey of Emery Park has been done in
preparation for the redesign of the park, but funding for the project is now
in question.
Lexpress buses are not handicapped accessible As a result Lexpress is
exploring the possibility of the use of MBTA stops by Lexpress buses
The Chamber of Commerce has reservations about the suitability of the soil
used as a base for the paving on the Minute Man Commuter Bikeway
******************* PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *******************
99 Election of Officers Mr Williams asked for nominations for officers
of the Planning Board to serve for one year. 111
II' Mrs Wood moved that Mr. Williams, Mr. Domnitz and Mr Grant be nominated as
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Clerk, respectively Mrs Davison seconded the
motion and it was passed unanimously. Mr. Williams thanked the Board for the
opportunity to serve a second term as Chairman.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 34 p m.
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