HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-08-04 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 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,
Planning Director Bowyer,and Assistant Planner Garber present.
************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS **************
PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
114 Form A/99-1, 11 Bennington Road,Rav and Grace Ciccolo: The Board reviewed an Approval
Not Required Plan for land at 11 Bennington Road. On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr
Colman,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,that the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington,MA
(Middlesex County)," dated July 21, 1999, prepared by Meridian Engineering,Inc.,Danvers,MA., certified
by Michael J. Juliano,Professional Land Surveyor,with Form A/99-1, submitted by Ray and Grace Ciccolo,
applicants, does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
115 11 Bennington Road.Rav and Grace Ciccolo.Determination of Grade and Construction: Mr.
Garber informed the Board that the Engineering Division previously determined that Bennington Road, as it
provides frontage for 16 Bennington Road, is of adequate grade and construction and meets the standards for
a Minor Residential Street for its 200 foot unaccepted length, due to the Town having reconstructed it in
1994,when Engineering determined that the road met Town standards in all aspects.Number 11 Bennington
Road is across from number 16.After a brief discussion, on the motion of Mr Galaitsis, seconded by Mr.
Colman,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to determine that Bennington Road is of adequate grade and
construction and that it provides access for the lots in question, and that the Unaccepted Street List may be
amended as necessary
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
116. 87 Hancock Street. 7 4.5 Subdivision. Gerard Moloney Reconsideration of Vote of 7/28/99•
Because of a procedural error under Section 9 of the Zoning By-Law,the Planning Board, on the motion of
Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,voted 4-0,Mr Merrill abstaining,to reconsider their vote of the
approval of the 87 Hancock Street 7 4.5 Subdivision planned by Gerard Moloney,Hancock Realty Trust.
The Board held a brief discussion in which Ms. Bridge-Denzak stated her desire to be on the record as
being opposed to the increased square footage of the new house. She objects to the change being made at the
defmitive plan stage. Mr. Galaitsis agreed with sentiment. Mr Merrill did not fully agree.Mr Davies
pointed out that under 7 4.5 the Board can regulate the size of the dwellings. Mr. Colman commented that
builders can just come in with larger houses at an earlier stage of the review process.
On the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted 4-0-1,Mr. Merrill abstaining due
to his absence from the earlier session,to:
• approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "87 Hancock Street," dated June 1, 1999;
• approve the certificate of action, dated July 28, 1999, as amended;
• 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
117 Rowland Avenue. Conventional Subdivision on Rowland Avenue. Woodhaven Realty Trust,
PUBLIC HEARING: Mr Davies opened the hearing at 7 45 p.m. He stated to those present that the
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applicant, Woodhaven Realty Trust, has agreed with the request of the neighbors to ask the Planning Board
Minutes for the Meeting of August 4, 1999 2
to postpone the public hearing on the Rowland Avenue Definitive Subdivision plan to September 8, 1999
and has submitted a written extension request to do so. On the motion of Mr.Merrill, seconded by Mr
Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to postpone the public hearing on the Rowland Avenue
Definitive Conventional Subdivision to September 8, 1999
118. 113/115 Concord Avenue Definitive 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan. George and Anahid Kazazian.PUBLIC
HEARING: Mr Davies opened the hearing at 7:50.Present for this item were Ronald Wood, Guidelines,
Inc., landscape architect, and Frederick Russell,engineer Mr Wood explained that the plan presented
tonight responds to the comments the Planning Board made at an earlier meeting.He outlined the changes
and said that the architect, William Hubner, of Moore Designs, included architectural schematics. There is a
slight adjustment to the lot line between lots 1 and 2 due to the new footprint.
Mr.Merrill commented that he believes they did a good job. Ms.Bridge Denzak asked if there was a change
in footprint from the previous definitive plan. Mr. Galaitsis also expressed concern about the size of the
houses. Mr. Davies said that the problem with the earlier plan was that the dimensions of the house footprint
were not shown.Mr. Colman said he would trade footprint for a better design.Mr Wood said that he has
worked on three 7 4.5 submissions and this is the first case in which the footprint has become an issue. He
hopes that in the future what the Board wants is made clear early in the process.Hiring an architect is a new
expense for the applicant. Ms. Bridge-Denzak stated that she wants the house footprints to appear on the
plans at each stage of the review process. Mr Garber agreed that a consistent policy needs to be worked out
on house size,footprint, and related scale and site coverage issues. This is an emerging problem that needs
to be dealt with.
Mr Bowyer said that one would be entitled to build to whatever setbacks and site coverage is allowed,
unless the Board calls for specific conditions. Simple numerical change might or might not be the issue. The
end result is the key thing. Property owner, developer and neighbors need to know what is expected of them.
With regard to the public benefit,the applicants agree to provide $27,500 toward the installation of a length Il
of sidewalk and the construction of a tot lot.
On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Colman,the Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "113/115 Concord Avenue", dated October 7,
1998 and revised June 4, 1999;
2) approve the certificate of action, dated September 8, 1999,as amended; and
3) grant a special permit for a common driveway and frontage reduction under Section 7 4.5 of the
Zoning By-Law; as amended.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
119 Recent Activity
a. Attorney General Approval of Zoning Amendments: Mr Bowyer reported that in a letter from the
Town Clerk dated July 26, 1999,he was informed that the Attorney General approved all of the zoning
amendments passed by the 1999 Town Meeting.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
120. Applications To Be Heard on August 12, 1999• Mr. Merrill gave an oral review of the following
applications. The Board agreed to make no comment:
40 Wood Street,Application for a special permit.
6 Bruce Road,Application for a variance.
3 Minutes for the Meeting of August 4, 1999
******************************* EXECUTIVE SESSION **********************************
On the motion of Mr.Merrill, seconded by Ms. Bridge-Denzak,and by individual poll of the members,the
Board voted unanimously, 5-0,to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board
agreed to reconvene in open session only for the purpose of adjourning.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
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AnthonyG. al itsis, Clerk