HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-03-17 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 17, 1999
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The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Estabrook Hearing Room Cary Memorial Hall, was
called to order at 7. 35 p.m. by Chairman Merrill with members Colman, Davies, Galaitsis, Bridge-Denzak,
Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Garber present. Mr. Garber left the meeting due to illness
following all prescheduled agenda items.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
60. Recent Activity
87 Hancock Street.Preliminary 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan.Rollout: Mr.Garber rolled out a preliminary plan for the
87 Hancock Street 7 4.5 development proposal that was submitted by Gerard Moloney on March 9, 1999 The
staff has not yet reviewed the plan in detail. The time for action on this plan expires on April 14, 1999
************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS **************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
61 Rowland Avenue.Preliminary Subdivision Plan.Barbara Palant: Public Information Meeting: Mr
Merrill opened the information meeting at 7.45 p.m.There were 12 people in the audience. Mr. Garber
clarified why the applicant submitted a subdivision plan, even though only one house will be built, and
addressed the fears of some of the abutters that more houses may be built on other lots on Rowland Avenue.
Richard Perry,Woodhaven Realty,applicant, introduced the design team: Gary Larson,Larson Associates,
landscape architect,Richard Waitt, Meridian Engineering,Inc., engineer, and Daniel and Barbara Palant,
• owners of the property
Mr Larson presented a plan showing the extension of Rowland Avenue,with a turnaround, at the end of the
existing roadway,that will provide frontage for the one proposed dwelling.
Abutters questions and comments had to do with whether or not the Palants lot was assessed as an
unbuildable lot over the years, safety concerns about increased traffic on Rowland Avenue,the height of the
new dwelling and how many trees would have to be removed.Mr.Merrill commented that the turnaround
could have been bigger resulting in the removal of many more trees.In response to a question about the
Town's involvement in the development proposal,Mr. Garber explained certain basics of the Subdivision
Control Law
62. 41 Lincoln Street. Sketch 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan.Ronald Lopez: Presentation by the Applicant:
Present for this item were Ronald Lopez,North Shore Construction,applicant,and Daniel Harrington,his
attorney Mr.Harrington showed a plan for a three-lot conventional subdivision for land at 41 Lincoln Street
that Mr. Lopez had brought in at the end of the day on Friday,March 12, after the agenda and Board member
packets had been prepared and too late to receive staff review The staff had reviewed and the Board had
been provided only with a first plan for a 7 4.5 development that was submitted on January 29, 1999
The Board's questions and comments had to do with tree retention on the site,the amount of cut and fill
planned and the visual impact of the house.Mr. Davies said that the planned cut and fill is excessive because
the house is not designed for the site.He said the house is supposed to be designed to fit the site and not the
other way around as in this proposal. Mr. Merrill stated that the site needs a particularly sensitive design and
advised Mr. Lopez not to skip the preliminary design stage prior to submitting a definitive plan.
The existing house on the site is included in Volume 8 of the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey of
Lexington. Mr.Bowyer reported that a previous conventional plan for this site, 10 or so years ago,was
2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 17, 1999
rejected because it exceeded the maximum 8% allowable grade.Mr. Garber said that a firm public benefit
offer has not yet been proposed.As for prospective public benefits,Mr.Bowyer said that there are always
worthwhile things to be done in connection with the Lincoln Park or Center Playground both of which are
nearby
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
63. Earl Street Improvement Plan.Revised Landscape Plan.Mark Barons: Richard Lakutis, landscape
architect,representing Mark Barons,New England Construction Company a co-applicant with Joanne
Kerwin, 40 Earl Street, explained that the revised landscape plan before the Board tonight answers the Board's
concern about unauthorized removal of trees at the site of the street construction for a portion of Earl Street.
The plan calls for the use of indigenous tree varieties. Ms.Bridge-Denzak,who had reviewed the plan, stated
that Mr Barons hired an arborist to evaluate the tree situation. It was agreed that locally grown ash and red
oak trees will be used. On the motion of Ms.Bridge-Denzak,seconded by Mr. Davies,the Board voted
unanimously, 5-0, to approve the revised landscape plan, dated February 12, 1999, as part of the Earl Street
construction plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
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Steven L. Colman, Clerk