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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1994-01-24 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 1994 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 Chairman Domnitz, with members Canale, Davison, Grant, Williams, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present ********************************** MINUTES ******************************** 12 Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 10, 1994. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, it was voted unanimously 5-0 to approve the minutes, as amended. ************************ PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT *********************** 13. Staff Reports a Planning Board Candidates Mr Bowyer said that the staff will continue its practice of providing agenda packets and other material to the Planning Board candidates until the election. b. Massachusetts Planning and Development Act Mr. Bowyer reported on a recent article in the Boston Globe that included an interview with Terry Szold, Planning Director for the Town of Burlington. The subject was legislation soon to be filed by 1,000 Friends of Massachusetts that proponents say would put more teeth into the planning legislation in Massachusetts People in regional and state planning agencies see a need for reform in planning law that places an emphasis on regional planning Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island have mandated comprehensive plans and provided money to communities to implement them. The legislation proposed calls for all state and regional agencies, such as the Department of Transportation, MAPC, Massport, and the MBTA, to have plans for all improvements for the next ten years These plans are to be made consistent with regional planning goals, and cities and towns would be required to adopt comprehen- sive plans consistent with regional plans and those of abutting communities. Regional commissions would be created to replace regional planning agencies The Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors believes the bill is too ambitious and will not support it. Mr Williams said it has some worthwhile features ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************ DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 14. Haves Lane. Definitive Street Construction Plan Frank Carney of Moore Homes, Mr. and Mrs Lane, prospective purchasers of the lot, and Joseph March, of Stamski and McNary, the engineers, were present Mr March presented a plan that incorpo- rates Planning Board directions from their meeting on October 4, 1993 The plan shows a 16' paving width and approximately 400 feet of improvements Several Board members asked about the future of the Jefferson Union property in relation to this lot. Minutes for the Meeting of January 24, 1994 2 Later in the meeting, the Board indicated that it would approve the plans but requested the staff to speak with the Engineering Department to confirm that the proposed six inch berm and the existing catch basin are adequate to handle runoff 15 Bennington Road, Status Report Mr Marino told the Board that Kenneth Nill of 16 Bennington Road submitted material to the Engineering Department in an effort to get a determination on the quality of the road in front of his house so that he would not be required to hire an engineer and file a street construction plan The Engineering Department provided him with information on construction of utilities in the street 10-12 years ago The Board agreed to further discuss the matter at a future meeting According to the Engineering Department, the Town will resurface the public part of the road in the next fiscal year SUBDIVISION OF LAND 16 Denver Street Subdivision Mr. Bowyer reported that Robert Phelan, a local builder, feels that his plans for a development on Denver Street may encounter difficulty because of differing regulations of the Planning Board and the Conserva- tion Commission At a recent meeting of the Town Manager, Town Counsel, the Town Engineer, the Conservation Administrator and the Planning Director, the legal and administrative questions Mr Phelan's perception raises were discussed. The Town Manager asked how to provide assurance to an applicant that Town boards and committees and their staffs do communicate with each other about plans submitted to them, Mr. Bowyer said that Mr Phelan's concern is premature. He only recently filed a notice of intent for his Denver Street plan with the Conservation Commission though the Planning Board has repeatedly urged him to do so His hearing is on February 1 The Board, after some discussion, agreed that each Board can rule only on matters within its jurisdiction There may be overlapping issues for the applicant but the applicant needs the independent approval of each board and committee. There was a discussion of the Planning Board's policy of not granting a waiver to make a lot buildable that is not buildable without it Mr Bowyer pointed out that there are potential legal and political problems that visible communication can help resolve and urged the Planning Board to be in visible o servation Commission. Mr Domnitz will communication with the C represent the n Board at the Conservation Commission hearing on Denver Street on February 1 17 Oakmount Circle Mr Marino pointed out a property on Oakmount Circle that may be developed by the owner, Mrs Marine She would like to build an additional single family house on her property The staff advised her that she should file a definitive subdivision plan to create frontage for the additional lot because the Subdivision Regulations no longer permit an Approval Not Required plan on an unaccepted street. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 18. Applications To Be Heard on January 27, 1994 Mr Grant gave an oral review of the following application E J 3 Minutes for the meeting of January 24, 1994 371-373 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington Toyota, special permit to operate a car rental service and used car showroom. After some discussion, Mr Domnitz called for a poll of the Board which voted unanimously to recommend the following to the Board of Appeals The Planning Board believes that this change of use triggers the landscaping requirements of the Zoning By-Law The Board recommends that action be deferred until a landscaping plan is submitted. A parking and vehicle storage plan should also be provided as part of the application. We recommend that the plan be submitted to the Design Advisory Committee for their comments *********************** ARTICLES FOR 1994 TOWN MEETING *********************** 19 Article A Jumbo House The Board set February 28 as the date for the public hearing for their proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Law Mr. Domnitz will present the amendment at the public hearing Mrs Davison will present it at Town Meeting. ************************ REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES ************************* 20 Met State Hospital Land The Board had a wide ranging discussion on the issues, current status, and future steps to be taken with respect to the reuse of the Metropolitan State Hospital Land. They agreed that it is too soon to take any position and that they should concern themselves with the content and process of what is underway The Board will put this subject on future meeting agendas. Mr. Bowyer commented on the relationship of policies, parameters, and guidelines to the projected development scenarios If the scenario appears undesirable, then the guiding parameters must be reevaluated. Mr Williams asked Mr. Bowyer to attend future meetings of the Lexington Task Force ******************* PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE ******************* 21 Meeting Schedule The Planning Board set meetings for February 7, 14 and 28 ********************************** REPORTS ********************************** 22. Planning Board Subcommittees a. Lexington Center Committee Mrs Davison reported on recent developments in the redesign of Emery Park. The meeting was adjourned at 10 16 p.m. eeWeikterYLCR#SC Richard L Canale, Clerk