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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1993-10-04 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER 4, 1993 11 i The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Vice Chairman Domnitz, with members Canale, Davison, Grant, Assistant Planner Marino and Secretary Tap present. 131. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of September 13 and 27, 1993. On motions of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as C' written. *********************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT *********************** 132. Staff Reports a. Resignation of Assistant Town Engineer: Mr. Marino informed the Board that Sam Sleiman, the Assistant Town Engineer, has left Lexington to take a job with MassPort, As a result, it may take a bit longer for the Engineering Department to review plans. b. Final Draft of Development Regulations Prepared: He also reported that the staff has prepared the final draft of the Development Regulations. They are compiling a list of developers, architects and landscape architects who ( I have worked in Lexington in recent years. A letter informing them of the proposed regulations, and inviting them to review the draft of the revised regulations prior to the October 25 public hearing, will be sent later in the week. ********* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 133. CUS 93/1. 75 Outlook Drive: Present at the meeting were Barbara and Paul Shafer, the applicants, and their engineer Mr. McDowell who explained their plans to upgrade the road. There was a lengthy discussion on the degree to which the road should meet the Town's engineering standards for the grade and construction of an accepted street. The applicants and the present owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Halfman, indicated their desire and that of their neighbors, to preserve the character of the area by improving the quality of the pavement of the Road. The improvement would mean no sidewalks or berms, and a width of no more than 18 feet, which would mean that fewer trees would have to be removed. Mrs. Davison and Mr. Grant agreed with this stance. Mr. Domnitz and Mr Canale were concerned that having no berms may cause safety concerns and drainage problems due to erosion. Mr. Domnitz pointed out that since this is the last potentially subdividable lot on the street, this may be the last chance to have the road brought up to Town standards. Mr. Heitman felt that the other homeowners on Outlook Drive should help to bear L_ the expense of upgrading the road. Minutes for the Meeting of October 4, 1993 2 Mr. Shafer said he was trying to protect the property from further develop- ment beyond a single family dwelling on the lot he would like to create. Phyllis Aaronson, a realtor who was present, said that she had seen others interested in the property for a multi-dwelling subdivision. Another realtor who was also present, Bobbie Tornheim, said she worked with a builder interested in the property. Mr. Domnitz took an informal poll of the Board on the requirement for a sidewalk. Mrs. Davison and Mr Grant said a sidewalk did not seem necessary Mr Canale would prefer a sidewalk on one side of the street but would compromise if the road were surfaced for an additional 275 feet beyond the Half man property. Mr. Domnitz would waive the sidewalk requirement, but also wants more of the road surfaced. Mr. Domnitz moved that the Board approve a plan to upgrade the roadway for a distance of 700+ feet of pavement, an 18 foot pavement width, and a berm on both sides of the road, but including a sidewalk. The less expensive con- struction type given as an option by the Engineering Department would be permitted. Mr. Canale seconded the motion. On a vote of 2-2, Mrs. Davison and Mr. Grant opposed, the motion was not approved. Mr. Grant said that the Board is faced with a policy dilemma that will be repeated in the future if the Board requires applicants to improve the road beyond their locus. He can see the Engineering Department's position on uniformity, if part of a street is going to be upgraded, the remaining unac- cepted part should be improved also. The issue is that there is a cost for the applicants, and is it fair to ask them to go beyond their property? On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted 3-0, Mrs. Davison abstaining, to approve a plan to upgrade the roadway for approxi- mately 425 feet in front of the lot, an 18 foot pavement width, and a berm on both sides of the road, that would not include a sidewalk. The less expensive construction type given as an option by the Engineering Department would be permitted. The applicant stated that the recommended conditions were accept- able. Mr. Marino noted that the applicant will have to revise the plans to reflect the Board's vote. Mr. McDowell reported that what was approved is similar to the plan submitted on October 4 for the meeting. PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 134. Form A/93-4. 75 Outlook Drive: The Board reviewed a plan showing the subdivision of Lot 49 on Assessors map 41 into two lots. Both lots have sufficient frontage on the unaccepted portion of Outlook Drive. During discussion it was pointed out the street is not presently of adequate grade and construction. 3 Minutes for the meeting of October 4, 1993 On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted 2-1-1, Mr. Domnitz opposed, Mr. Canale abstaining, to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated September 20, 1993, prepared by Noonan and McDowell, Inc., Billerica, Mass., certified by Malcolm McDowell, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/93-4, submitted by Paul Shafer, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. The motion was not adopted. 135. CUS 93/2. Haves Lane. Sketch Plan: The Board looked at a preliminary plan for the improvement of an unaccepted portion of Hayes Lane for the construction of a single family dwelling on Assessors Map #48, Lot #280 on Hayes Lane. They agreed to instruct the developer, Mark Moore, that the unpaved and broken paved portion of Hayes Lane should be repaved. They instructed him to prepare a plan showing the improvement of Hayes Lane from approximately station 50 to approximately station 400. The paved width of the existing road should be continued but should not be less than 14 feet wide. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 136. Denver Street. Preliminary Plan: The Board discussed the preliminary subdivision plan filed on August 27, 1993 for a one lot subdivision on Denver Street. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, the Board voted unanimously to disapprove the preliminary plan submitted on August 27, 1993 by Robert Phelan for the following reasons: 1) the design scheme submitted by the applicant is not a through road and is not acceptable f ' because it does not provide the turnaround required by the Development Regulations. In its decision on the sketch plan the Board approved only the design scheme showing the through road connection to Bellflower Street; 2) for the reasons set forth in the Town Engineer's memo dated September 25, 1993; and, 3) the Board of Health's comments dated September 24, 1993. 137. Subdivision Streets for Acceptance at 1994 Town Meetine'• a. Sunset Ridge: On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, the Board voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Sunset Ridge in the Sunset Ridge subdivision be proposed to the 1994 Town Meeting for acceptance by the Town; and to release all of the surety being held by the Town for the completion of the subdivision. 138. Pheasant Brook II. release of lots On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Grant, the Board voted unanimously to release lots 9A and 2C of the Pheasant Brook II Subdivision. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 139. Applications To Be Heard on October 14 1993: Mrs. Davison gave an oral review of the following applications: 315 Woburn Street, Thrifty Car Rental, special permit to operate a car rental service. The Planning Board agreed to recommend that a special permit, if granted, should be for one year only; that, as a condition of approval, and in accordance with the application, no more than five rental cars should be on the site at any time; and that no advertising should appear on any vehicles. Minutes for the Meeting of October 4, 1993 4 The Planning agreed a reed to make no comment on the following applications: 135 Maple Street, Antoinette Hitchcock, variance to add a carport 55 Gleason Road, Daniel Crovo, variance to extend dining room and add a second floor to a dwelling The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m. wiwk, OM get. Jac ueline B. Davison, Clerk