HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-03-08 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 8, 1999
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building,was called to order at
7:32 p.m. by Chairman Merrill with members Colman, Davies, Galaitsis, Bridge-Denzak, Assistant Planner
Garber and Secretary Tap present.Mr. Galaitsis arrived after Item 56.Mr.Bowyer was out of town on vacation.
************ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
55. Endorse Plans.Accent Covenant.Porter Lane. The Windermere Group: Mr. Garber informed the
Board that John Austin of the Windermere Group,developer of the Porter Lane subdivision, is seeking
endorsement of the definitive plan,and acceptance of a covenant. The definitive plan was approved on
December 2, 1998
After a brief discussion, on the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr.Davies,the Board voted unanimously
4-0,to endorse the plan entitled"Porter Lane Definitive Plan in Lexington,Massachusetts(Middlesex County)",
dated August 31, 1998,prepared by Meridian Engineering of Danvers,MA,Larson Associates of Arlington,MA,
and submitted by the Applicant,Windermere Group of Lexington,MA.,and to accept the covenant,dated March
8, 1999
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56. Article 17 Transfer of Land to Conservation Commission.Massachusetts Avenue at Fletcher Avenue:
Cynthia Savage,21 Fletcher Avenue, and Theodore Page, 6 Fletcher Avenue,were present to ask the Board to
support Article 17, which would transfer land at Mass. Avenue and Fletcher Avenue, next to the School
Administration Building,to the Conservation Commission. The neighborhood is anxious to preserve it as open
space and there have been recent rumors that it might be used to create parking for Cary Library when it moves
temporarily into Cary Memorial Hall.Mr.Page outlined seven reasons for restricting the land.
The members of the Board expressed their sympathy with Mrs. Savage and Mr.Page's goal. They discussed the
merits of several types of protection for the land and leaned toward the designation of"parkland" as the most
suitable outcome.They asked Mr.Page and Mrs. Savage to research the various types of protection and show the
final wording of the article to the Board for it to vote on at their meeting on March 17
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57 Recent Activity
Rowland Avenue. one-lot Preliminary Subdivision Plan.Woodhaven Realty Rollout: Mr Garber rolled out a
preliminary plan for the Rowland Avenue development, off Massachusetts Avenue, that was submitted by
Woodhaven Realty Trust on February 8, 1999 The staff has not yet reviewed the plan in detail. The time for
action on this plan expires on March 25, 1999
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58. Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-Law
a. Article 5.Adjustments. Section 9 Residential Developments:After a brief discussion,on the motion of Mr.
Davies,seconded by Mi.Colman,the Board voted 4-1,Mr.Merrill opposed,to reaffirm its withdrawal of Article
5 from consideration by Town Meeting this year.
b. Article 6.Technical Corrections: After a brief review of the fifth draft, dated February 25, of the report to
Town Meeting, on Article 6, Technical Corrections, on the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Bridge-
2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 8, 1999
Denzak, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to approve the report.
c. Article 7 Procedures. Section 8. Special Zonine Districts: After some discussion, on the motion of Mr
Merrill, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to withdraw amendment Al of Article 7 and
to renumber the remaining amendments. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Bridge-Denzak, the
Board voted unanimously to approve amendment A2.On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Ms. Davies,
the Board voted unanimously to approve amendment A3 The Board then agreed to recommend that Town
Meeting approve the remaining amendments and to approve the report, as revised.
d. Article 16 Hayden Ave.Amendment To CD District#8:Mr Garber confirmed that based on plans submitted
by the applicant's architect,the floor area ratio is less than the 0.30 level approved by the 1998 Town Meeting.
On the motion of Ms.Bridge-Denzak, seconded by Ms.Davies,the Board voted unanimously to recommend that
Town Meeting approve the amendment and to approve the report as written.
e. Articles 11 12 and 13. Wireless Communications Antennae Siting On the motion of Mr Colman,
seconded by Ms.Davies,the Board voted unanimously to approve a combined report on the three articles that
recommends that Town Meeting disapprove the amendments. Ms. Bridge-Denzak voted with the majority on
Articles 11 and 12 but wanted to be recorded as opposed to the motion as it applies to Article 13
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
59 Applications To Be Heard on 1999• Mr Merrill gave an oral review of the following applications:
14 Smith Avenue. special permit to add a roof above entrance of dwelling
26 Vaille Avenue.variance for an addition to the dwelling
6 North Hancock Street,Due Fratelli,Inc., special permit for take-out food
1749 Mass.Avenue(formerly Steve's Ice Cream), special permit for take-out food
675 Waltham Street. Carroll Bros.,renew special permit
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
Steven L. Colman, Clerk