HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-10-NCDTM-minTown of Lexington
Public Meeting Minutes
Turning Mill NCD meeting held Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Cary Memorial Building, Ellen Stone Room
Attendees: Diane Pursley (Chair) Bob Creech, Sally Cassells
Regrets: Richard Canale, Sally Zimmerman,
Turning Mill Neighbors (Public): Tina McBride, Phil and Fern Schafer, Arthur and Judith Sharenow,
Menny Eleny
Meeting started at 7:03pm
1) Minutes from 12/27/2016 meeting were approved (Sally Cassells /Bob Creech)
2) Sally Cassells volunteered to take notes
3) Review of action items from prior meetings:
a) Per discussion at 12/27 meeting, the documents for this group on the town web site have been
organized into categories based on input from Rich Canale. Tina noted that Mountain Road
needs to be added.
b) Bob has taken photos from Mountain Road and these will be added to the web site once
they've been reviewed.
c) There is a box in the Planning Department for paper copies of the materials on the web site.
Diane will add material.
d) The opt -out letter has not been completed but is in progress.
e) Sally Cassells still needs to do the index card research.
f) Tina McBride is working on documenting past efforts at preserving the neighborhood which
will include the establishment of the Paint Mine Conservation Area, Hennessy Field, the
landlocked forest.
g) Tina McBride and Diane Pursley are working on the notification mailing.
4) The committee voted to create a Report- writing Subcommittee consisting of Richard Canale, Diane
Pursley and Sally Zimmerman. (Sally Cassells/Bob Creech).
5) Presentations from early owners in the neighborhood.
• Phil and Fern Schafer and Judith and Arthur Sharenow provided verbal presentations that
were videotaped. (Search for LexMedia, select OnDemand and enter 1/10/2017 in the search
field.)
• Lettters from Renata Cathou of 23 Partridge Rd, Linda Wolk of 5 Jeffrey Terrace, Pedro and
Evelyn Lilienfeld of 28 Demar Rd and John Frankovich of 19 Dewey Rd were read. This was
also videotaped and the letters are included in these minutes.
• The presentations and letters mentioned the qualities the presenters and writers appreciate
about the neighborhood
o "contemporary" or "mid- century modern" architecture
o the unique siting of the houses and planting that together provide a good amount of
privacy the opportunity the neighborhood pool provides for both children and adults
to make friends in the neighborhood
o the ability to observe nature up close
o one thing that has not changed over the years is the friendliness of the neighbors.
• They also mentioned
o The homes in the neighborhood were more affordable —40 years ago
o Everyone in the neighborhood felt so terrible when 28 Partridge came down
o The sound barrier project was a project of how the neighborhood came together to
bring about a change
Phil and Arthur confirmed that the builder of the "Roberts Contemporary" was Gene Roberts. Most of
the houses on Partridge plus the section of Turning Mill where the backyards and abut Partridge
properties were all "Roberts Contemporary" houses.
5) Bob Creech provided an update on the proposed rules for Trees /Shrubs and Landscaping
• Bob researched documents provided by the Peacock Farm association and by the Denton
Road NCD in Wellesley. Like the Wellesley example, the rules will be separate for new
construction vs. updates and improvements. For updates the rules are advisory only.
Species of trees that are native to the neighborhood (white pine, oak, beech, hickory,
sassafras and native maples) will be recommended. For new construction there will need
to be trees to provide a screen to protect the neighbors' views of the woods. New trees
will be required to be of a similar size to trees that are removed (ultimately).
• For new construction, a tree planting plan will need to be provided to the NCD review
committee for approval.
6) Sally Zimmerman is working on a draft of the study report. The report will reference the NCD
recommendation approved at 2016 Town Meeting.
7) Diane Pursley proposed a change to the work plan. To shore up the time line for moving forward at the
2017 Town Meeting we will meet again on 1/17/2017.
Mr. Elany (10 Demar) had come to the meeting to hear about the op -out form. Bob said he would drop a
copy in Mr. Elany's mailbox to let him know whether or not the meeting on the 17th will take place.
8) Public Comment — There were a few comments from the neighborhood guests expressing appreciation
for the efforts of this group. It was mentioned that Old Colony Road provides an example to avoid.
Adjourn (Sally Cassells /Bob Creech) 8:30pm
Forwarded Message
Subject:Re: NCD Meeting on January 10
Date:Tue, 3 Jan 2017 15:18:02 -0500
From:Renata Cathou <rcathou @aol.com>
To : dianepursley @gmail. com
Dear Diane:
I'm sorry to learn that you have been sick! I hope that you are on the mend. It's a nasty time of year.
I won't be able to go the meeting, but am happy to try to respond to your posed questions in this reply:
I moved into the neighborhood in 1982. When I began to house hunt, I specifically targeted this
neighborhood. I do not have children so the proximity of Estabrook was not relevent.
How has the neighborhood come together-- -
The NCD initative is the first that I'm aware of. Earlier however, there was the action to form the
Turning Mill neighborhood e-mail group, which I've found has been useful.
I chose to live here because of the high concentration of modernist architecture, which is very
important to me. Also, the expansive green areas, especially between houses, and the many trees.
My house backs up to miles and miles of undeveloped land, which is a real plus for bird and animal
watching. It is also a low traffic and quiet neighborhood, and very walkable. At the same time, it is a
relatively quick drive into Boston.
For all of the reasons just listed, it's very important to preserve the neighborhood as it is now. We do
not want or need mega construction.
I'm happy to see the growing diversification of people here.
I hope that this info helps!
Happy New Year to you!
Renata
Forwarded Message
Subject:Fwd: Study Committee Meeting Tomorrow (1 /10) at 7PM
Date:Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:07:06 -0500
From:Turning Mill NCD <turningmillncd @gmail.com>
To:Wu <dianepursley @gmail.com>
Forwarded message
From: John M Frankovch <jmfrankovich a rcn.com>
Date: Tue, Jan 10, 2017 at 10:52 AM
Subject: Re: Study Committee Meeting Tomorrow (1/10) at 7PM
To: Turning Mill NCD <turningmillncd@gmail.com>
Hi,
We would like to indicate our full support for approval of a local NCD in the Turning Mill Road area. Although
we are still able to occasionally get out and about we're unfortunately at an age that limits much physical
involvement in this activity.
We were the last of the "first" owners who purchased Peacock houses. Over the years we have witnessed the
successive roll overs of ownership of these buildings in our neighborhood and deplore the "replacement"
changes that are threatening to occur.
Please keep us informed about how the organizational efforts are proceeding.
Thank you.
John & Emily Frankovich
WHY I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHY I FEEL IT
SHOULD BE PROTECTED?
I have lived on Demar Road in the Turning Mill neighborhood for half a
century. My wife and I have brought up our two children here and I feel can
speak about the special qualities of this area.
What attracted me from the outset was the uniqueness of the setting of
most of the homes: within and surrounded by forest. This was the perfect
setting and complement for the architectural style of the houses forming
this neighborhood. It was a very special place because it combined a
natural environment with an easy access to Boston and its urban
surroundings.
The modern - mid - century - homes fit well into this environment and need
to be preserved. It is an aesthetically appealing area, as well as, historically
significant and valuable. Consequently, because of the complementarity of
of forest and architecture, both elements must be maintained to preserve
the unique character of this area.
The trees in this area area under constant attack. I wrote about this a few
years ago in the Minuteman, under the title of "Our Enemies, the Trees ? ".
On Grove Street, coming in from Bedford there is a sign that reads
"Lexington, Tree City USA ". Really? The reality contradicts this motto.
Builders, home owners and the town itself have been only too ready to cut
trees rather than plant them. Our Turning Mill neighborhood is not an
exception to this destruction. Need I point out that trees serve far more than
an ornamental function. Anthropogenic climate change is greatly
exacerbated by deforestation and we should all be at the forefront of the
battle against the menace of global warming. We have in our area an
important asset in this battle, the trees. Let's make every effort to preserve
them.
That precious forest environment is also a habitat for birds and other
animals that are rare in areas so close to urban centers. I have witnessed
the raising of a pair of great horned owl chicks, and of a multiplicity of other
birds, as well as the presence of various mammals and reptiles. A
marvelous environment in which to bring up nature conscious children.
The homes themselves need protection from the relentless onslaught of
"macmansionization ". These homes should not only be preserved but
updated judiciously, however, within stylistically consistent constraints.
Maintaining, improving and updating should not be equated with tearing
down.
Let us make every effort to protect an inheritance of beauty, aesthetics,
nature, and quality of life, all of which are threatened species today.
Pedro and Evelyn Lilienfield
Why I live here and why the Turning Mill neighborhood should be preserved.
I grew up living on Turning Mill Road but I would not have come back here to live - -as a married
adult with children - -if I did not value the setting and amenities. When you arrive here from
Robinson, Dewey, or Gould Roads, from the style of building and landscaping you know you are
somewhere else. And if here is where you want to be, then this neighborhood is for you, as it is
for me and my family.
The woods are beautiful. Instead of a painting or a photo we have stunning, ever - changing
woodland views right out the large windows of our contemporary -style house. The
neighborhood is made up of a diverse group of professionals and always has been from its
beginning. It used to be full of academics, artists, and doctors, now perhaps there are more
corporate and consulting folks, still with a wide range of fields and interests continuing the
stimulating company. Paint Rock Pool is a further benefit to the neighborhood enabling greater
cohesion among residents while linking to neighbors beyond the immediate Turning Mill area.
The houses are placed in such a way that they don't overlook one another, affording a rare
degree of privacy and feeling of psychological spaciousness.
The place has a different aesthetic than most neighborhoods, due to the contemporary styles and
the use of space and preservation of nature. It bears the living ethos of midcentury modern
design of inclusion of nature in everyday living through the citing of a house and the wide -
window views from inside the house. The designers of the houses deserve the tribute of their
vision being preserved. The way of life this setting encourages and the philosophy of living of
being immersed in nature is especially vital in this time of insensitive and over - extended
development.
Susanna Whitman
31 Turning Mill Rd
1959 -1981, 1997- ongoing
We arrived in Lexington in 1967 with our infant daughter and moved into Emerson
Gardens. We had instant friendships, an important part of suburban living and came to
love the town.
Although we had found the place to settle we weren't sure we would be able to find the
dream home for us. We knew that we didn't want a traditional cape or variation nor did
we want a suburban development similar to Malvina Reynolds' famous song. A Victorian
had more space than we needed And then we found the Turning Mill neighborhood!
It would be perfect. We tucked this location into the back of our heads for the future. A
year later a lot on Jeffrey Terrace became available and we grabbed it!
We moved into our home in January 1970 and it was a great decision. The circle
became the neighborhood playground for the kids. The grown -ups played volley ball
and had block parties here. We gardened. We made great friends at Paint Rock Pool.
We continue to feed the birds and enjoy the wildlife that wanders through our yard. We
love how yards are irregular and houses retain their individual personalities. Turning Mill
continues to be our dream neighborhood and although many of the people we met
when we moved in have moved what we have always loved about our neighborhood
remains; friendliness, low houses nestled into wooded natural settings, informal yards
with lots of space between dwellings that give privacy, nature, and a cohesive
architectural style that was an important mid - century development.
As we drive around town we see great changes; size has replaced neighborhood
character and authenticity. The small home neighborhoods like Colony Road are gone.
North Street changes weekly from homes in wooded areas to McMansions with little
yard around them. Developers are buying up large lots, combining them and building
"little villages" as happened on Robinson Road. The woods that shielded Royal Circle
from the noise on Rte. 128 came down and many town houses appeared forming a
development I refer to as "Robinson Woodless ". A patient developer could slowly buy up
the 3 large lots on our street, take the houses down and put up "balanced housing"
made up of town houses.
A few years ago the other two homes on our street went up for sale and we were
worried that, in this new environment, they would come down and be replaced by big
multi -floor houses with formal yards. How lucky we were when they were bought by
young families looking for mid - century homes and neighborhoods and had the same
dreams we had. They had looked long and hard to find what they wanted and needed;
there is a market for mid - century modern and it is strong. Home prices go up when a
neighborhood is intact and that affects the growth of our real estate values.
I am grateful for the people working hard to protect the character of Turning Mill. We
fully support this project. It is in our best interest and I urge all my neighbors to sign on
the dotted line too. It won't take long for this historically important neighborhood to
become "irrelevant" unless we protect it.
- Linda Wolk, 2017