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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1994-01-10 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES [-- MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 1994 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 Chairman Williams, with members Davison, Grant, Assistant Planner Marino and Secretary Tap present Mr Canale and Mr Domnitz arrived during Item 1 1 Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of December 20, 1993 On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Domnitz, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as amended ************************ PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT *********************** 2 Staff Reports a. Recent Activity Mr Marino reported that the Engineering Department is reviewing a request submitted by Kenneth Nill, of 16 Bennington Road, to inspect the roadway prior to his filing an application for a determination of grade and construction of an unaccepted street ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************ SUBDIVISION OF LAND 3. Release of Lot 10. Pheasant Brook II On the motion of Mr Grant, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to release Lot 10 of the Pheasant Brook II Subdivision 4 Tracer Lane Mr Marino described the results of a meeting, on January 4, of Harold Nahigian and his attorney, Mr Griffin, with Mr. Bowyer and Mr Marino Mr Nahigian's attorney said that Mr Nahigian wants to amend the subdivision plan approved by the Planning Board. Town Counsel has informed the staff that the plans could not be amended as the time limit for appealing the Board's decision has passed Counsels for both sides will continue discussing the matter ****************** COORDINATION AMONG BOARDS, DEPARTMENTS ******************* 5. Denver Street Subdivision Mr Marino reported that Mr Bowyer met with the Conservation Administrator, the Town Manager and the Town Engineer to discuss the Denver Street proposal The Conservation Commission will hold the hearing on the notice of intent for Denver Street on February 1, 1994. The two departments will continue to work together on this proposal. 6 Buttermere Subdivision Sketch Plan. Pat Austin The current owner of the land, Mr. Sutherland, Mr. and Mr Austin, holders of an option to purchase the land, and Gary Larson, a landscape architect, were present. Mr Larson presented the Austins' plans for a four-lot cluster subdivision on the 3.35 acre parcel off Lowell Street near the Middlesex Mall He described the site, overlooking Butterfield Pond, as mostly wooded. The soil is gravel and there is a stone retaining wall near Lowell Street that they see as a feature that will remain. The proof plan shows a conventional four lot subdivision on the site. Entry to the cul de sac, tentatively named Buttermere Drive, would be from Lowell Street. The pavement will be approxi- mately 260 long and 20 feet wide within a 40-foot right of way A sidewalk on one side is shown To allow a smaller turnaround than required, the developer will ask for a waiver for a hammerhead turnaround, giving more flexibility in laying out the Minutes for the Meeting of January 10, 1994 2 site The entrance will be approximately 300 feet from the entrance to Locke Village and approximately 1000 feet from North Street. The houses will be approximately 2500 square feet in size. Mrs. Davison said that this is too large, given their proximity to each other. She would prefer three houses Mr. Larson said the lot lines will not go down to the pond, to preclude owner- perceived entitlement to access. Mr Williams asked that ownership of the pond be determined, whether it is public or private. He also asked that an easement to allow access to abutting Town land be investigated and urged the developer to talk with the Conservation Commission The Board wants to know the results of a wetlands determination and its impact on these plans. Later in the meeting, the Board gave direction to the staff to include the following comments in its letter to the applicant. 1. The Planning Board encourages the consideration of a cluster subdivision the site 2 The applicant should discuss the acceptable forms of ownership of the open space with the Conservation Commission 3 The Board cautions that the determination of the amount of wetlands by the Conservation Commission may affect the permitted number of dwellings on the site 4 Although the Board may grant a waiver from the requirement for a sidewalk, a sidewalk should be shown on the next plan filed by the applicant. 5 The applicant should suggest other names for the subdivision. The Historical Society should be consulted for suggestions. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 7 Annlications to be Heard on January 27 1994 Mr Grant gave an oral review of the following applications 987 Waltham Street, Lexington Ridge, continuation of hearing on signage. The Planning Board agreed that the entire structure, including the stone supports, should be considered the sign and is therefore too large Mr Domnitz wondered if the stone support itself might require a building permit They also agreed that the sign should be a 12 to 15 square foot double faced sign, comparable to the Brookhaven sign on the opposite side of Waltham Street It should be located in the island at the entrance to the complex. 101 Cliffe Avenue, Charles Kelley and Barbara Najarian, variance to add bedroom and bathroom to an attic The Planning Board agreed to recommend that the application be denied. They believe that, as a matter of policy, the variance mechanism should not be used to exceed the two and one half story limit e 1 3 Minutes for the meeting of January 10, 1994 Mr. Williams polled the Board informally and they agreed to make no comment on the following applications, also scheduled to be heard on January 27, 1994. 658 Lowell Street, Mary J Timmins, special permit to convert one-family dwelling to two-family 56 Adams Street. Francesca Anderson, special permit to operate an art gallery in her home. 8 King Street, Mishac and Karen Yegian, variances to construct a detached two- car garage 121 Hartwell Avenue, Varian Vacuum Products, determination that addition of an enclosure to house soil and ground water remediation equipment is a minor revision On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board voted unanimously to make no comment *********************** ARTICLES FOR 1994 TOWN MEETING *********************** 8 Article A Jumbo Houses The Board thanked the staff for the data they supplied about single family dwellings in the Town. Some members felt that while it would be very difficult to write an amendment controlling the size of houses built, that Town Meeting would approve, the social argument itself would be valuable. People want to cash out of their houses at the highest price However, other people in town are concerned about affordable housing. Ideas from Town Meeting members themselves might emerge to help resolve the issue of how to protect smaller homes. Mrs Davison worried that the character of the town is being changed for the worse by the building of large homes, and expansion of older homes Mr. Grant argued that the reality of the market is that people want, and are building, big houses. Mr. Williams observed that while he thinks the increase in big homes is adversely affecting Lexington's streetscapes, he also believes in free enterprise He suggested that development is evolutionary. 9. Article B. Technical Corrections After some discussion on Mr Weiss's suggested corrections to the Zoning By-Law, the Board, on the motion of Mr Domnitz, seconded by Mr. Grant, voted unanimously not to go forward with the article. The Board believes the By-Law functions well as is. ********************************** REPORTS ********************************** 10 Planning Board Subcommittees a. Met State Task Force Mrs. Davison asked to have the subject of the reuse of the Metropolitan State Hospital land on future Planning Board agendas She said the Planning Board should then consider directing Mr Marino to convey the Planning Board's ideas to the tri community Met State Task Force The other Board members agreed to take up reuse of the Met State land at future Planning Board meetings ******************* PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE ******************* 11 Election of Officers Mr. Williams asked for nominations for new officers of the Planning Board. Mr Canale nominated Mr Domnitz for Chairman. Mrs Davison seconded the nomination Mr. Domnitz nominated Mrs Davison for Vice Chairman Mr Minutes for the Meeting of January 10, 1994 4 Canale seconded the nomination. Mr. Grant nominated Mr Canale for Clerk. Mrs. Davison seconded the nomination. Those nominated were elected by a unanimous vote of the Board. Mr. Williams thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as their chairman over the two preceding years. The meeting was adjourned at 10 05 p m. Richard L. Canale, 6