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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1994-05-23 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 23, 1994 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7 42 p m. by Chairman Domnitz, with members Canale, Davison, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present ************************ PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT *********************** 107. Staff Reports a. 258 East Street. Sketch Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Rollout Mr. Marino rolled out a sketch preliminary plan for the 258 East Street development that was submitted by Zaroohy Seed on May 20, 1994. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on June 19, 1994 b. 10 Summer Street, Definitive Plan Mr. Marino rolled out a definitive plan for the 10 Summer Street development that was submitted by Barbara Zack on May 17, 1994. The time for action on this plan expires on August 15, 1994 ************************ REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES ************************* 108. Met State Hospital Reuse The Board continued its review of the objectives criteria, guidelines and assumptions for the development of the Met. State Hospital land by working on the questionnaire dated April 6, 1994. Mrs Davison expressed a concern about a concentration of housing for the elderly She she hoped it would not become an elderly "ghetto." She advocated more family type housing. Three members, Mr. Canale, Mrs. Davison and Mr. Merrill agreed there should be a greater balance in the orientation of the housing units to different age groups Mr. Canale inquired whether the housing subcommittee of the Tri-Community Task Force had expressed any preference for ownership or rental housing as it would affect the number of housing units that could be counted toward the subsidized housing inventory for Chapter 774 compliance Mr. Marino responded that the question had never been discussed. Mr. Canale suggested, and other Board members agreed, that preference should be given to those housing units which would provide greatest credit for Lexington in the EOCD subsidized housing inventory for compliance with Chapter 774, the Anti- Snob Zoning Act Mr Domnitz said his primary interests are the impact of development on traffic patterns on Lexington streets, and achieving a neutral or positive fiscal impact for the Town, i.e , greater tax revenue than costs for services provided by the Town. Mr Grant agreed with those interests. Mr. Domnitz proposed that, instead of working through a lengthy questionnaire, that a subcommittee be created to review the Met. State issue and draft a state- ment Mr. Canale and Mr. Merrill agreed to serve with Mr Domnitz on the subcom- mittee l i Minutes for the Meeting of May 23, 1994 2 *************************** BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS **************************** 109. Property at Hancock and Adams Street The developers, John and Pat Austin, and the owner of the property, Dominique Bois, were present. Mr. Domnitz thanked them for coming and told them that the Board's invitation was very informal and was based on concerns the Board had heard from the neighbors about the Austin's plans to build a house on a newly created lot. Mr Domnitz assured them that the Board's intent was to discuss constructive alternatives to building another dwelling Mr. Austin noted that the Form A creating a second lot had been approved by the Board. The Austins currently have a purchase and sale agreement with the Bois. They want to live in the existing house and in order to finance it, the sale of the second lot is necessary He pointed out on the plan where the house, of approximately 3,600 square feet, would be situated. He also noted that a number of lots in the neighborhood were created by the approval not required subdivision process Some of the Board's suggestions to the Austins were to create a two-family house or an accessory apartment as a source of income. Converting the garage to a dwelling was also suggested. There was a brief discussion about traffic safety at the intersection of Adams and Hancock Street Later in the meeting, the Board discussed the importance of formulating a jumbo house setback amendment to the Zoning By-Law to limit the size of such houses ******************* COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES **************** 110 nu Lexington Transportation Improvements Program Preparation of Planning Board Position The Board discussed their preferences in the redesign of the intersections of Route 2A with Forbes Road and Massachusetts Avenue. They tenta- tively agreed to the following, which are also included in the Design Advisory Committee's recommendations. 1. Access to the State Highway department maintenance drive should be from the driveway at the end of Forbes Road. 2 The second set of lights (at Forbes Road) is unnecessary. 3. The plan should be redesigned for a reduced rate of speed. This would allow the lanes to be narrower and make room for a bike lane. 4. Light standards and signage posts should be a compatible color with the National Park. 5. The driveway to the Sheraton Hotel should remain in its present location, with a second driveway to Massachusetts Avenue Mr. Canale and Mrs. Davison will draft a position statement for the Board to review at their meeting on June 6. ********************************** REPORTS ************************************ 111 Planning Board Subcommittees a. HATS Mr. Canale reported communi- ties' that there will be a meetingof the HATS communi ties' Planning Boards and Planning Directors to discuss HATS' role as a growth and development policy committee. 3 Minutes for the meeting of May 23, 1994 b. Design Advisory Committee Mrs. Davison reported that the DAC has been talking with Shell Oil Company about the design of their proposed gas pump canopy The DAC had asked what the Planning Board had said about the design and when Mrs. Davison told them, they concurred. Shell is withdrawing one of their applications to the Board of Appeals. The meeting was adjourned at 10 42 p m. /-7 64\11(.65— Richard L. Canale, Clerk l L_