HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1993-08-31 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 31, 1993
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-3, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7 39 p m. by Chairman Williams, with members
Davison, Domnitz, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino
present Mr Canale arrived during Item 114 Mr Grant arrived during
Item 116
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Recent Activity
114. Denver Street, Rollout of Plans The Board looked briefly at a plan for
a one-lot subdivision, filed by Robert Phelan on August 27, 1993.
115. Lowell Street Subdivision, Extension Mr Bowyer reported that Peter
Kelley of Woodhaven Realty submitted a letter requesting that time for action
on the Lowell Street Subdivision be extended an additional ninety (90) days,
from September 7, 1993 to December 6, 1993 On the motion of Mrs. Davison,
seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously to grant the extension
Woodhaven has filed an application for a Special Permit with Site Plan Review
with the Board of Appeals.
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116 Revision of Development Regulations Chapter 5 Unaccented Streets
Several changes in the text of the draft dated August 31, 1993 were agreed to
The Board discussed three types of new dwelling construction that might be
covered by the standards One was the current policy - a new dwelling on an
existing vacant lot; a second was a new dwelling replacing an existing
dwelling; a third was the reconstruction of an existing dwelling to the point
that it was equivalent to a new dwelling Mr Bowyer offered additional
language to cover all three options - "including the replacement, or recon-
struction, of an existing dwelling that is demolished to the extent of 50
percent or more of its replacement cost as determined by the Zoning Officer. "
On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr Canale, the Board agreed 3-2,
with Mr Domnitz and Mr Grant opposed, to have the standard apply to all
three situations, and to the proposed wording.
The Board agreed to change the standard from that in the existing Policy, that
required 300 feet of street to be improved to a requirement that the existing
frontage but not less than either 125 or 150 feet - the required minimum lot
frontage in the zoning district - would be improved
Mr. Williams argued that the fees that the Town and the Board charges for
services and applications are too low. They should be higher to cover the
real costs to the Town On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs
Davison, it was voted 4-0, with Mr Domnitz abstaining, to charge $500 for an
application for review of a street improvement plan
On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, the Board voted 4-1 to
adopt the following motion
Minutes for the Meeting of August 31, 1993 2
1 That the Policy on Construction Standards for Unaccepted Streets
Relative to Building Lots, approved June 29, 1987, is repealed;
2 Chapter 5, Unaccepted Streets, dated August 31, 1993, is adopted to
provide standards for the grade and construction of unaccepted streets
References in Chapter 5 to Chapter 2, Types of Plans, Application
Procedures, of the proposed revision of the Development Regulations
shall be to the third draft dated August 31, 1993 and references in
Chapter 5 to Section 6, Required Improvements, Design Standards and to
Section 7, Implementation, Construction of An Approved Definitive
Subdivision Plan, are to the second draft of proposed revisions to the
Subdivision Rules and Regulations, dated March 1, 1993;
3 That the list, "Unaccepted Streets That Appear on the Zoning Map" , dated
September 30, 1992, be amended as shown on a list dated August 31, 1993;
4. That the list, "Unaccepted Streets That Do Not Appear on the Zoning
Map", dated September 30, 1992, be amended as shown on a list dated
August 31, 1993
Mr. Grant abstained. He would like Town Counsel to review Chapter 5
********************************** REPORTS **t*******************************
117 Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. Center Committee Mrs. Davison reported that at the last meeting a
representative of the National Park Service, and Jan Spealman of the Chamber
of Commerce, presented a list of signs that the Park Service will donate which
will identify the Center, the Battlegreen and the Visitor's Center The signs
will be attached to existing posts This is part of a joint effort with the
Chamber of Commerce to make things easier for tourists
b Met State Mrs Davison reported that with each change in represen-
tation from the State's Division of Capital Planning and Operations, and there
have been several, the agenda changes and progress toward a decision is
interrupted. A positive note, however, is that the MDC will probably get much
of the land
c. HATS Mr Canale reported that a coming update to the Transportation
Plan for the Boston Region is going to incorporate unapproved reports as part
of it, like the SAR. He asked the staff if anyone in the Town administration
is going to write a report. Mr Bowyer answered that Selectman Dan Fenn is
working on it.
d. Lincoln Land Institute Mrs Davison asked if members were interested
in a program about the comprehensive planning process specifically for
Planning Board members in Massachusetts. Members asked about the fee for this
program. Mrs Davison will check
The meeting was adjourned at 10 30 p.m.
Jacqueline B. Davison, Clerk