HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-04-14 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 14, 1999
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to
order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Merrill with members Colman, Davies, Galaitsis, Bridge-Denzak, Planning
Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Garber present.
************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ***************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
75 87 Hancock Street.Preliminary 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan. Gerard Moloney Public Information Meeting:
Present for this item were Gerard Moloney,Hancock Farms Realty Trust,the applicant,Gary Larson,
landscape architect,Larson Associates, Inc., and William Hubner, architect. Also in the audience were David
Kelland, Chairman, and Nancy Seasholes,a member, of the Historical Commission, and several abutters.
Mr Moloney gave an overview of the plans which showed the construction of a new house and the restoration
of the historic house near the front of the 2.3 acre site. The landscape plan is designed with the neighbors in
mind, providing for screening at the perimeter and retention and protection of existing vegetation. Mr Larson
pointed out the key site attributes and Mr Hubner described renovation plans for the old house and the
character of the new house.
Questions and comments from the Board had to do with the size and siting of the house, the existing barn
foundation, and the proposed public benefit.
Ms. Seasholes, who helped to assemble Lexington's Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey, made some
suggestions for enhancing the project. Mr. Kelland expressed his pleasure with the applicant's responsiveness Ifl
to historic preservation concerns. Anthony Clough, 89 Hancock Street, concerned about his view of the site,
asked the applicant to install a fence of some kind. Mr. Moloney agreed to do this, suggesting a split rail fence
with landscape screening.
Documentation on the composite value of the public benefits ($35,000 to $46,000) was provided by Mr.
Moloney He proposes to renovate the historic house and put a conservation restriction on 1.5 acres of the
land.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
76. Recent Activity
10 Richard Road. Preliminary Street Improvement Plan. Dan Taylor, Rollout: Mr. Garber rolled out a
preliminary street improvement plan for a portion of Richard Road, in the vicinity of number 10, that was
submitted by Dan Taylor, Taylor Made Carpentry, on April 5, 1999 The staff has not yet reviewed the plan
in detail. The time for action on this plan expires on May 5, 1999
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
77 41 Lincoln Street. Sketch 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan, Ronald Lopez: The Board reviewed a revised draft
decision on the 41 Lincoln Street 7 4.5 subdivision plan dated December 3, 1998. After a brief discussion, on
the motion of Ms. Bridge-Denzak, seconded by Mr Galaitsis, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve
the decision, as amended.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 14, 1999
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
78. Applications To Be Heard in April. 1999• Mr.Davies gave an oral review of the following applications:
22 Bowker Street,Appeal on Buildable Lot Interpretation
Based on the 5000 square foot minimum lot area created in Chapter 40A, Section 6, and approved by
the 1998 Town Meeting,the Board agreed that it supports the Zoning Officer's position that Lots 55,
56 and 57 do not constitute a buildable lot that is separate from 22 Bowker Street(referred to in
Assessor's Maps as Lot#283A).
Scottish Rite Learning Center, Special Permits and Renewals
The Board agreed that it believes the proposed Learning Center is fundamentally flawed in its
conception,both in terms of site design and architectural philosophy It will recommend that the
special permits should not be granted without a redesign of the project. The Board asked the staff to
detail the objections it had raised in a letter to Board of Appeals Chairman John McWeeney
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications below
32 Waltham Street. SP renewal for sandwich shop;
31 Columbus Street, variance to construct addition to non-conforming dwelling;
4 Vinebrook Road. special permit to substitute office use for non-conforming residential use.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
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Steven L. Colman, Clerk