HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1994-06-06 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 6, 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.
112. Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of April
11, 13 and 25 and May 2, 9 and 16, 1994. On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded
by Mr. Grant, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of April 11, May 2
and May 9 as amended and the minutes of April 13, April 25 and May 16 as written.
************************ PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ***********************
113. Recent Activity
a. Colloquium on Assisted Living Mr Bowyer reported on a day-long conference
he had attended, along with Mrs Davison, on Friday, June 3, sponsored by the
Council on Aging. Mr. Bowyer had given a presentation based on Volume 1, Popula-
tion report and former Secretary of Elder Affairs, Paul Lanzikos, spoke on the
need for assisted living options and service support housing for elderly people.
There are many elderly people who do not need all of the medical support provided
in nursing homes, but who could live independently if other help, with house
cleaning and personal hygiene, for example, was available. After the presenta-
tions, the audience toured three assisted living centers in Salem, Wenham and
Beverly
Mr. Bowyer suggested that the size of site needed, from three to eight acres, and
the physical appearance of such centers, which have a residential, not institu-
tional appearance, make them a desirable kind of housing for Lexington.
The Board discussed the concept of assisted living in relation to Lexington, in
particular the Armenian Sisters property off Pelham Road, and the Met. State
Hospital site.
Mrs Davison said builders should be encouraged to consider the construction of
these centers. Other members of the Board questioned whether the Planning Board
could or should encourage the development of this kind of housing
***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
114. Dana Court Acceptance of Surety Release of Lots On the motion of Mr.
Grant, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously to accept surety in the
amount of $125,000, in the form of Depositors Trust Company passbook number 402-
9951, and to release lots 1, 2, 3, and Parcel A of the Dana Court Subdivision.
115 Monroe Village. Woburn Street Sketch Plan The Planning Board gave
direction to the staff for the preparation of the decision on the proposed sketch
plan. The Board asked the staff to prepare the decision for review at their June
13 meeting It should inform the applicant that the Planning Board does not
Lapprove the proposed cluster design for this site and recommends that he submit a
plan for a conventional subdivision.
Minutes for the Meeting of June 6, 1994 2
Mr. Grant left the meeting during Item 115.
. ,
Mr Bowyer observed that the Board needs to decide what benefits they want to see
on cluster subdivisions instead of deciding if they want what the developer has
offered or not.
116. Summer Street. Withdrawal of Application of Definitive Plan Mr. Marino
informed the Board that the application for approval of a definitive plan was
incomplete and incorrect A request from Sam Sleiman, of H. Sleiman Associates,
in behalf of Barbara T. Zack, has been received to withdraw the definitive
subdivision plan filed on May 17, 1994 On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by
Mrs. Davison, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the withdrawal of the definitive
subdivision plan for 10 Summer Street.
117 160-170 Wood Street, Sketch Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Rollout Mr
Marino rolled out a sketch plan for the property at 160-170 Wood Street that was
submitted by Paul A. Chisholm on May 31, 1994. The staff has not reviewed the
plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on June 30, 1994.
In addition to the sketch plan, the proposal also indicates that the applicant
will apply for a comprehensive permit under the local initiative program for part
of the site.
Mr. Bowyer said his initial opinion is that the comprehensive permit concept in
this case is a way for the Town to benefit in two ways 1) it cleans up an illegal
use that has existed for a number of years, and 2) it benefits the Town's housing
programs.
The Planning Board discussed these two aspects of this proposal. Mr. Bowyer
explained briefly the local initiative/comprehensive permit program Mrs Davison
and Messrs. Canale and Merrill thought it was worth pursuing although they are not
committed to any position until more information is available
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
118 21 Haves Lane. CUS 94/1. Direction to Staff The Planning Board gave
direction to the staff for the preparation of a decision on the preliminary street
construction plan submitted on May 2, 1994. The Board decided not to pursue a
staff suggestion to allocate responsibility between the already approved Mark
Moore street improvement plan and the improvements proposed by the Perrys. Mr.
Moore will be expected to complete the improvements the Board has already ap-
proved.
The Board asked the staff to prepare the decision for review at its meeting on
June 13, 1994, with the condition that the plans comply with the Development
Regulations and the memo from the Town Engineer.
******************* COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES ****************
119. North Lexington Transportation Improvements Program. The Planning Board
reviewed and edited a draft recommendation prepared by Mr. Canale, dated June 2,
1994 The Board agreed to send the amended letter to the Board of Selectmen and
other affected committees and personnel. '
3 Minutes for the meeting of June 6, 1994
************************ REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES *************************
120. Metropolitan State Hospital Reuse The Board reviewed and edited a draft
recommendation, dated May 31, 1994. Mr Domnitz agreed to redraft the recommenda-
tion for review on June 13.
The meeting was adjourned at 11 05 p m.
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Richard L. Canale, Clerk