Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1994-06-13 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JUNE 13, 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, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Merrill was absent. *************************************** MINUTES **************************************** 121. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of May 23, 1994. On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as amended. The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 6, 1994. On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as amended. ************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 122. CUS 94/1. Street Improvement Plan. 21 Haves Lane: The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision, dated June 9, 1994, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously to approve the decision as amended. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 123. Monroe Village. Woburn Street. Decision on Sketch Plan: The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision, dated June 9, 1994, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously to approve the decision as amended. 124. 258 East Street. Sketch Plan: Landscape architect Gary Larson, of Larson Associates, presented a sketch plan for the development of eight houses on 7 4 acres of land off East Street between Lowell Street and the Woburn City line. Present with him was Mrs. Zaroohy Seed, the applicant, and Rick Waitt, the engineer Mr Larson explained that the site is relatively flat with mowed fields in the center and mature trees on the periphery. The one existing house, now located in the middle of the proposed right-of-way, will either be demolished or relocated to one of the lots. The proposed subdivision plan shows new lots and houses. A hammerhead turnaround is proposed at the end of the street. One waiver, from the requirement for a 25 foot turning radius at the intersection of the subdivision street with East Street, will be requested.' The waiver is needed to comply with the requirement that the proposed subdivision street align with Douglas Road, on the opposite side of East Street. Mr. Domnitz thought should the Board should not hold up a conventional subdivision on that basis only Mr Grant and Mr Canale agreed. Mr Canale inquired whether they had considered'a cluster development. Mr. Larson responded that the applicant's plan for developing the site is for a conventional subdivision because several homes will be reserved for members of the family The second reason he mentioned was the land is relatively nondescript and not much is gained from a cluster development. Minutes for the Meeting of June 13, 1994 2 Mr. Domnitz inquired about the proposed hammerhead turnaround. Mr. Domnitz observed that a hammerhead may be acceptable for a small subdivision, but thought that a circular turnaround was needed for an eight-lot subdivision. Mr. Domnitz thought there were two principal issues with the development of this site. The first is that a conventional subdivision, and not a cluster subdivision, is proposed. The second issue is the type of turnaround. Mr Grant said that either type of turnaround is acceptable to him. Mr. Canale said either was acceptable but he prefers a circular turnaround. On the question of a sidewalk along the subdivision street, Mr. Canale said he preferred that it be provided but that he would consider a good plan without it. Several members advocated a walkway from the end of the subdivision street to connect to Lowell Street at the triangular point in the subdivision where it touches the Lowell Street right-of-way Mr Bowyer suggested a sidewalk might need to be constructed along the westerly sideline of East Street because children living in the houses in the subdivision will be required to walk to the Fiske school. The Board agreed to direct the staff to prepare a decision that includes the Board's preference for a circular turnaround, an indication that it would approve a waiver from Section 3.6.2.2.4 of the Development Regulations, and a request that the applicant explore adding a walkway out to Lowell Street. 125. Olde Smith Farm. 160-170 Wood Street Presentation of Sketch Plan: Paul Chisholm, representing the owner/applicant, Somerset Savings Bank, introduced landscape architect, Gary Larson, and attorney Robert Factor The applicant proposes the development on this site be in two separate sections. The proposal before the Planning Board is a six-lot cluster subdivision on 6.2 acres of land on the westerly side of Wood Street with a 380' roadway A barn stands on this part of the property. The applicant will submit an application for the other part of the site to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Town's approval of a comprehensive permit under the State's local initiative program. The applicant cited the benefits of the proposed development of the site as being: the preservation of the 19th century barn, the reservation of a right-of-way for the extension of access to the adjoining land of Rushton and Gaut which was shown on plan alternative "B", and the third being the resolution of the illegal multi-family housing situation although the illegal use, is not within the boundaries of the subdivision. In response to a question from Mrs. Davison about the type of housing proposed, the applicant said that single family dwellings on individual lots is what the marketplace will accept and that the economics of doing alternate dwelling types is not desirable. The applicant submitted two alternate plans. The primary difference between the two plans is that Plan B shows access to the land in the rear of the site. Mr. Chisholm, responding to a question from Mr Canale, said he understood the property is one lot and has not been subdivided. The Approval Not Required Plan previously endorsed by the Planning Board has not been recorded. In response to a question about the number of dwellings permitted on the site, Mr. Bowyer explained that two tests establish the maximum number of dwelling units the Board can approve in a cluster subdivision. He reminded those present that a cluster development requires a special permit and is a 3 Minutes for the meeting of June 13, 1994 discretionary decision on the part of the Board. In this case he believes that the topography of the site probably prohibits the building of the maximum shown on the proof plan. Mrs. Davison said that she would not favor a cluster subdivision if it gives the developer of any site the ability to build more houses than could be built in a conventional subdivision. She said the cluster concept should be used to accomplish creative siting and other benefits to the Town. Mr. Domnitz pointed out to Mr. Chisholm that he should provide reasons why the cluster plan offers public advantages over a conventional plan. Mr Domnitz said the Board has to decide if it wants to merge the two sections together for consideration by the Town. 126. Nishan's Way. Decision on Definitive Plan: The Board reviewed a draft decision on the Nishan's Way Definitive Plan. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr Grant, the Board voted unanimously to: 1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Nishan's Way", dated February 7, 1994; 2) approve the certificate of action, dated June 13, 1994, as amended. 3) grant a special permit with site plan review (SPS) for a planned residential development/conventional subdivision; and grant other special permits as cited in the decision; 4) approve the decision, granting the special permit with site plan review (SPS), and granting other special permits as cited in the decision, dated June 13, 1994, as amended. RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 127 Applications To Be Heard on June 23. 1994: Mr. Domnitz gave an oral review of the following applications: 35 Carville Avenue. Albert and Joan Ban'dini, requesting variances to add a garage. The Planning Board agreed to recommend denial of this request. The application fails to state a legally adequate hardship and the applicants cite no special conditions relating to the soil, shape or topography of the land. In addition, the increase in impervious surface for this small lot may also be detrimental to abutters. The Planning Board agreed to make no comment ton the following applications, also scheduled to be heard on June 23. 7 White Pine Lane. Joy Gila Lindsley, renewal of special permit to use portion of dwelling as a part-time office 569 Concord Avenue. Longhai Zhao and Zuying Chen, renewal of a special permit to continue to use portion of residence as an office 341 Marrett Road. Michael and Christine Becher, special permit to use portion of residence as part-time offices 22 Hancock Street. Larry Kohler, variance to extend front porch *************************** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES *****************'"**"`******* 128. Met. State Hospital Reuse. Decision on Planning Board Decision: The Board reviewed a draft of a recommendation dated June 9, 1994, prepared by Mr. Domnitz. The Board made several editing Minutes for the Meeting of June 13, 1994 4 changes. It agreed to include a recommendation that the housing developer(s) not be required to pay more than 50 to 75 percent of the building demolition, site cleanup and site preparation costs. The balance of the money will need to come from the City of Waltham, the developer of the Gaebler site, the Metropolitan District Commission and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The staff was asked to prepare a revised draft of the recommendation for action at the next Planning Board meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m. ' ,--7-7Qatitc1/444...coactrr. Richard L. Canale, Clerk H