HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-03-30 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 30, 1999
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Estabrook Hall in Cary Memorial Hall was called to order
at 7.45 p.m. by Vice Chairman Davies, with members Colman, Galaitsis, Bridge-Denzak, Planning Director
Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Garber present.
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68. Article 9 CN and RO to CD, 903 Waltham Street,PUBLIC HEARING. Mr.Davies opened the hearing
at 7 45 p.m.There were 55 people in the audience. John Farrington, attorney,James McManus III,the applicant,
of Fox&Hounds Properties,Inc.,Richard Bechtel,architect of Bechtel,Frank,Erikson,Architects,Inc.,Richard
Waitt, engineer, of Meridian Engineering,Inc.,David Warner, landscape architect, of Larson Associates, Inc.,
and Steve Pernow,traffic engineer of Versent LLC,were present to explain their plans for developing land at the
corner of Waltham Street and Concord Avenue.
Mr.Farrington explained that a typographical error was responsible for confusion about the height of the proposed
buildings,the correct height being 18 feet.The PSDUP states the permitted height is 28 feet.Mr.Warner detailed
the site plan which shows a two-building commercial development that would replace the current building on the
site.Mr Bechtel explained the character and dimensions of the buildings and said the lighting plan complies with
the Zoning By-Law's Section 14,Outdoor Lighting. He said that changes were made in the plans in response to
suggestions by the Design Advisory Committee,before which they made two presentations.
Questions and comments from the Planning Board included:
Mr. Colman: Why are the figures presented tonight different from the PSDUP, which is a legally binding
document? Why is the list of uses so open ended? Mr. McManus replied that changes to the PSDUP were in
response to the Design Advisory Committee's suggestions and he wants to have many options for uses on the site.
He likes to create a synergy among the buildings'tenants.
Mr. Galaitsis commented that the range of possible uses is too wide and that the proposed tree buffer is less
protective than the trees currently at the interface with the RO zone at the rear,or west side,of the developed part
of the property in the CN district.
Mr. Davies said that the floor area ratio calculations are confusing.The area intended for building mechanicals
seems to be enormous.Mr Bechtel said the area under the first floor will be crawl space.
Questions and comments from public officials: One member and one associate member of the Design Advisory
Committee made positive comments on the plans. The unclear height of the buildings bothered a number of
people.
David Kanter, TMM, Pr 7, asked questions about the floor area of the buildings, the landscaped buffer, the
amount of parking,drainage and a number of other subjects. He suggested decreasing the size of the buildings
and increasing the landscaped buffer He asked how the desired and promised changes will be incorporated into
the PSDUP
In response to Jacquelyn Davison's (Precinct 3) question about the floor area of the Chadwicks building, Mr
Bechtel answered that it has an area of 2,500 square feet.The two new buildings will have a total of 11,000 square
feet.
Raffi Festekjian, 1 Schoolhouse Lane,presented the opposing neighbors'case against the development.There are
138 signatories to this petition.Their concerns are about traffic at the intersection of Waltham Street and Concord
Avenue,which they feel is dangerous already,the reduced landscaped buffer between the CD and RO zone,and
other issues they feel threaten their neighborhood. Thomas DeNoto, chairman of the South Lexington Civic
2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 30, 1999
Association,commented that the applicant met with the Association and asked for input but did not change the
plan according to any of their suggestions.
Deirdre Niemann, of Niemann Associates, spoke in favor of the rezoning, saying that quality retail is a real asset
to Lexington and the current proposal will be attractive to desirable businesses,some of whom she has approached
about this proposed commercial venture. Lorna Moritz, 391 Concord Avenue, said that she does not share the
view of the 138 opposing neighbors. She favors the rezoning.
Dawn McKenna, speaking as an individual Selectman, said she likes the design but feels it is too big a project
for the site. She hopes they withdraw their current plan and refile next year with another, smaller,proposal.
Others echoed these sentiments.
Mr. Davies closed the hearing at 10:00 p.m.
The Board discussed the proposal and reviewed its draft report to Town Meeting, dated March 30, 1999
On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr.Davies,the Board voted unanimously, 4-0,to recommend that
the Town Meeting disapprove the proposed amendment,and to approve the report to Town Meeting,dated March
30, 1999, as amended.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.28 p.m.
Steven L. Colman,Clerk