HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1999-12-08 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 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,
Director of Comprehensive Planning Bowyer, and Planning Director Garber present.Mr. Merrill arrived
during Item 201
*************************************MINUTES **************************************
154 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of September 8,
1999 On the motion of Mr Galaitsis, seconded by Mr. Colman, it was voted unanimously 4-0 to approve
the minutes,as amended.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
155 Form A/99k 80 Cedar Street and 76 Paul Revere Road: The Board reviewed an Approval Not
Required Plan for land at 80 Cedar Street and 76 Paul Revere Road. On the motion of Mr. Colman,
seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in
Lexington,MA(Middlesex County)"dated October 18, 1999, prepared and certified by James R. Keenan,
Professional Land Surveyor, of Winchester MA,with Form A/99-X, submitted by Ashdown and
Kantrowitz and Cornerstone Concepts,Inc.,applicants, as it does lint require approval under the
Subdivision Control Law
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
156. 113-115 Concord Avenue.7 4.5 Subdivision.Kazazian. Acceptance of Covenant:After a brief
discussion, on the motion of Mr Colman, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,the Planning Board voted
unanimously,4-0,to accept the executed covenant signed by George and Anahid Kazazian,dated
November 5, 1999, in connection with the Definitive 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan for 113-115 Concord
Avenue.
157 Rowland Avenue Definitive Subdivision Plan. Woodhaven Realty Trust, Withdrawal of
Application: Mr Garber informed the Board that the staff received a letter,dated November 16, 1999,
from Woodhaven Realty Trust and Barbara Palant asking to withdraw the definitive one-lot subdivision
plan for land at 7 Rowland Avenue. On the motion of Mr Colman, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board
voted 5-0 to approve the withdrawal,without prejudice, of the definitive subdivision plan entitled
Rowland Avenue and dated April 30, 1999
158. 41 Lincoln Street.Ronald Lopez.Preliminary 7 4.5.Reduced Frontaee Subdivision Plan. Public
Information Meeting_The informational meeting began at 7:55 p.m.Present for this item were Richard
Lakutis,registered landscape architect,Landtech,Inc.,Ronald Lopez,President,North Shore
Development and Construction,the applicant,and Daniel Harrington,his attorney A number of residents
were also in attendance.
Mr. Lakutis presented the plan,explaining that they chose to use the 7 4.5 provisions of the Zoning By-
Law in order to produce the least disruptive development.His photo exhibit showed site visibility and
sight lines from Lincoln Street. He explained the landscape retention and planting scheme and how the
stormwater system responds to suggestions from the Town Engineering division. Attorney Harrington
pointed out that the Planning Board's previously stated concerns at the sketch plan level had all been met
and that they had met with the neighbors.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 8, 1999 2
Questions from the Planning Board had to do with details of the drainage system and plans to protect
existing vegetation. Ms. Bridge-Denzak said she does not feel reassured about the number of trees to
remain on the site. Mr. Lakutis said that work near the trees can be done by hand as she suggests, and he
can consider greater protective measures as well. She also expressed concern about the amount of
impervious surface, and the finished grades shown on the plans and the possibility of finding ledge on the
site.
Mr.Merrill asked the Board if they think the plan is in the spirit of Section 7 4.5. The applicant's attorney
stated that not building a subdivision street is in the public interest and asked what else is expected.Mr.
Merrill replied that the special permit authority compels the Board to carefully scrutinize the site.
Mr Davies had questions about the grading and tree varieties they plan to use. Mr.Lakutis said the
plantings will be comprised of species that survive in woodlands. With regard to ledge on the site,Mr
Lakutis and Mr. Lopez stated that they will not raise the house elevation due to ledge.
Mr Colman underscored the concerns expressed by Ms.Bridge-Denzak and asked if the Board can find
this project compatible with the neighborhood. The applicant responded that the neighborhood is
changing.
Mr Galaitsis asked for more details on the potential presence of an underground spring on the site and
questioned the size of the proposed house,. The applicant stated that they have not found a spring.
Regarding the size of the proposed house, it will have 5,600 square feet of living area. The neighborhood
median is 3,400 square feet.
Attorney John Farrington, speaking for the abutters, questioned the accuracy of the gross living area
shown in the plan, and the setback depiction under the new 7 4.5 guidelines.He mentioned that Section
7 4.5 requires addressing not just the view from the street, but also from surrounding private lots,with
respect to visual impact.He said that the guidelines for sloping sites require siting so as not to intrude
upon the horizon view Mr. Lakutis commented that they would need permission to go onto those lots.
Kris Popeil, owner of 41 Lincoln Street, said that the lack of a subdivision street represents less disruption
to the environment.
John Leighton, 10 Lincoln Terrace,asked what has changed in the 10 years since a previous subdivision
plan was turned down for this site.Mr Bowyer replied that some of the subdivision regulations regarding
grade of a road have changed.In response to another abutter question,Mr Garber answered that the fire
department found no problems with public safety vehicle access. Joseph Allen, 8 Lincoln Terrace,and
Peter Benson, 6 Lincoln Terrace,expressed their belief that the proposed house would have a"deleterious
effect" on the neighborhood.
Douglas Rae,real estate broker, asked the Board what size house would it favor on this site and how the
house,as proposed, compares to the size of other houses in 7 4.5 subdivisions with regard to impervious
surface.
Mr Merrill stated that design and "feel" are in question on this site,noting that it is a narrow lot. Mr
Colman noted that each site is different and scale and character are important. Each case it taken on its
own merits.
Mr Ray asked if the "compound" on Mass.Avenue,nearby was as controversial as this project. Mrs.
Popeil said their project should be compared to a conventional plan.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 8, 1999 3
Harriet Nezer, 4 Lincoln Terrace, expressed concern about drainage,the inevitability of cutting down
trees, and the proposed house looming over the neighborhood, as well as the reduction in the frontage
requirement.Mr.Merrill pointed out that a 7 4.5 subdivision,properly designed,would still be preferable
to a conventional subdivision.
Mr. Lakutis addressed other abutters'great concern about stormwater runoff. Other abutters were worried
about the ramifications of finding ledge.Mr.Lakutis said that only geotechnical work could discover
ledge.
Mr. Davies closed the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
159 Recent Activity
112 Laconia Street Sketch Conventional Subdivision Plan.Tanner and Nahieian.Rollout: Mr. Garber
rolled out a sketch plan for a two-lot conventional subdivision off Laconia Street,that was submitted by
Lisa Tanner and Greg Nahigian on December 6, 1999,The staff has not yet reviewed the plan in detail.
APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
160. Petitions to be heard on December 9 1999• Ms. Bridge Denzak gave an oral review of the
following petitions:
• 121 Hartwell Avenue, special permit to replace sign,
• 32-42 Worthen Road, special permit to replace sign
The Board deferred to the judgement of the Design Advisory Committee regarding the two signs.
The Board agreed to make no comment on the petitions below
• 1666 Mass. Avenue, special permit for take out
• 42 Webb Street,variance to construct vestibule
• 2 Angier Road,variance to add garage
• 23 Columbus Street, special permit for addition
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
c.
Anthony G. Galaitsis,Clerk