HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-07-28 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JULY 28, 1999
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building,was
called to order at 7:35 p.m.by Chairman Davies with members Bridge-Denzak,Colman,Galaitsis,Merrill,
and Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Garber present.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
109 Munroe Village Subdivision. Todd Cataldo. Final Release of Surety Mr. Garber reported that Todd
Cataldo, Sheldon Corporation, has requested final release of the covenant and of the surety being held
against completion of the public facilities at the Munroe Village subdivision off Woburn Street. On the
motion of Mr Merrill, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,that:
Whereas,the applicant/developer has now satisfied the outstanding real estate tax obligations on Lot#
164F, and
Whereas,the subdivision road and infrastructure have been successfully completed and approved by
the Engineering Division; and
Whereas,the covenant dated March, 1995 and required by the Subdivision Regulations and Planning
Board remains in effect and the bank passbook held in surety remains with the US Trust Company
(formerly Lexington Savings Bank);
The Planning Board votes to:
1 Release the applicant/developer from and remove the covenant encumbering the land at the
Munroe Village subdivision; and
2. Release passbook#1080253 in the amount of$20,000,plus interest, and return to Robert
Cataldo/Sheldon Corporation; and
3 Recommend that the street be accepted by a future Town Meeting.
110. 87 Hancock Street. 7 4.5 Subdivision.Halyard Builders: Decisions: The Board reviewed and
revised draft decisions on the 87 Hancock Street 7 4.5 subdivision. A discussion was held on the small but
unexpected increase in the size of the house. Ms.Bridge-Denzak expressed disappointment in the increase.
Mr Colman,Mr. Galaitsis and Mr Davies felt that the increase was not unreasonable though they want to
make certain in the future that there are no such surprises at the end of the 7 4.5 subdivision process.Mr.
Garber said that a particular buyer may request changes that affect house size. The Board agreed to discuss
the issue in the future. On the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,the Board voted 3-1-0,
with Ms. Bridge-Denzak opposed,to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan,entitled "87 Hancock Street," dated June 1, 1999;
2) approve the certificate of action,dated July 28, 1999,as amended;
3) grant a special permit for a frontage reduction subdivision under Section 7 4.5 of the Zoning By-Law;
and grant other special permits as cited in the decision, dated July 28, 1999 as amended;
Mr Merrill abstained as he was not present for the public hearing on the subdivision.
111 Rowland Avenue Conventional Subdivision.Woodhaven Realty Postpone Public Hearing:
Mr. Garber informed the Board that two abutters to the proposed one-lot subdivision on Rowland Avenue
have requested a postponement of the public hearing on the definitive plan, scheduled for August 4 The
applicant is required to formally request the extension, and the staff has not heard yet from the applicant,
Woodhaven Realty Trust. The Board agreed to wait until the applicant decides.
I
Minutes for the Meeting of July 28, 1999 2
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
112. Applications To Be Heard on August 12. 1999- Mr Merrill gave an oral review of the following
applications:
59 Worthen Road. Grace Chapel,variance to enclose courtyard
The Planning Board agreed to defer to the judgment of the Design Advisory Committee.
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications below
4 John Benson Road.variance to extend entryway
1729 Mass.Avenue, Starbucks, special permit to add lettering to rear awning
77 Hill Street,variance to replace front stoop
15 Middlebv Road.variance to add new entry
22 Crescent Road.variance to construct 2-story addition
7 Mvrna Road.variance to remodel dwelling
9 Pleasant Street.variance to add vestibule
************************************** REPORTS **************************************
113 Planning Board. Subcommittees
a. HATS.Noise Report: Mr. Galaitsis reported that the Noise sub-committee's report is in its final stages
of review and will be presented in the near future. The committee has been striving to make the noise
measurement reporting method more understandable to the lay person,using comparisons. The current
measure is logarithmic and expressed in decibels.
b. 20/20 Visioning Process Workshops: Mr.Merrill reported that the 20/20 Visioning Process is off to a
good start.There were four workshops during the summer that were facilitated by consultants. They were
the first stage in a 12-month process. There will be a major public meeting in the fall. The process will
provide a policy framework that the Planning Board can use in its work on the comprehensive plan. Most of
the issues have to do with land use. He agreed to continue to represent the Board.
c. Comprehensive Plan.Meeting with Town Manager Mr Merrill reported that the Strategic Planning
Special discussion: Mr Davies initiated a discussion about what the Board needs to do to get started on the
Comprehensive Plan. We have from September to March to do produce some tangible progress. He asked
each Board member what the Board should be aiming for
Mr Colman said he would like to see the Board identify issues and planning tools needed to deal with them,
as opposed to collecting data. The issues of open space protection, size off buildings, growth management
were mentioned.A good Request For Proposals is required and well-know planning consultant Philip Herr
is skilled at helping communities to establish scopes of services.Aerial photography can be a great aid.
Mr. Galaitsis referred to the time needed to compose an RFP and get a response to it. Ms.Bridge-Denzak
liked the idea of a professional on a short term assignment helping to produce a usable tool.Mr. Garber said
there should be a clear definition of roles for the staff and the consultant.Mr. Davies wants to keep the focus
on land use and the ways our regulations impact on land use. On the motion of Mr Galaitsis, seconded by
Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to consider utilizing the services of Philip Herr,or a
comparable firm, for up to one work week to initiate and focus the long range planning effort and move
toward an RFP Produce something that will address die immediate needs of the town to make progress in
the land use element of the comprehensive plan. RFP topics.
d. Design Advisory Committee:Ms.Bridge Denzak reported that RCN is interested in coming to
Lexington to provide internet service. Due to the nature of its technology,RCN will have to locate its
equipment it on a new pole. This could have considerable visual impact. DAC thought that if there is new
road construction,perhaps the cables could be put underground,so the issue is the impact on Lexington's
appearance.
3 Minutes for the Meeting of July 28, 1999
Fletcher Avenue Land Use Referral Committee: After a brief discussion, on the motion of Mr Galaitsis,
seconded by Mr Merrill,the Board voted unanimously,4-0,to appoint Ms. Bridge-Denzak its
representative to the Ad Hoc Fletcher Avenue Land Use Referral Committee.
******************************* EXECUTIVE SESSION **********************************
At 9.44 p.m.,on the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,
to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation against the Town.The Board agreed to reconvene
in open session only for the purpose of adjourning.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
AnthoVyG. Galaitsis,Clerk