HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCD Petition, Oct. 17, 2016PETITION TO FORM A STUDY COMMITTEE
BY THE BYRON/LOCKWOOD AREA NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
October 19, 2016
Under Chapter 78 of the Code of Lexington, the Byron/Lockwood Area Neighborhood Group
wishes to establish a Neighborhood Conservation District bounded on the northeast side by the
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway; on the northwest by Town of Lexington conservation land; on
the southwest by Massachusetts Avenue and on the southeast by Maple St. The boundaries
include 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 Byron Ave.; 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18 Lockwood Rd.; and
1099, 1109, 1115, 1123, and 1133 Massachusetts Ave.
For purposes of the initial study, the addresses on Mass. Ave. are being included. There are
appropriate reasons to both include and exclude them and we feel the decision needs to be
made at a later date after all of the information has been carefully discussed by the residents.
11 Byron Ave. is specifically not being included because the land was previously 14 Maple St.
and the house is a large, modern home not consistent with the neighborhood style.
The homes on Mass. Ave. are in the Massachusetts Avenue historic district, as well as
7, 10 and 11 Lockwood Rd. That distinction could be good reason to exclude the Mass. Ave.
homes from this neighborhood conservation district, but it is perfectly reasonable that the
Lockwood Rd. homes be in both districts.
The homes on Byron Ave. and Lockwood Rd. were built primarily in the early 1930's. The house
at 1099 Mass. Ave. was the original farmhouse on this entire piece of property. The roads,
Byron and Lockwood were named after the sons of the owners of that property so it seems
appropriate, from a historical standpoint, that this house be a part of the district.
The square footage of the Byron Ave. houses prior to additions was approximately 1,100
square feet and the Lockwood Rd. houses approximately 1,400 square feet. There have been
modest additions over the years in the forms of family rooms and decks on many of the houses,
but it has not altered the basic architectural style of the bungalows, arts and crafts and Dutch
colonials of the original neighborhood. Houses on Mass. Ave. remain a basic colonial style with
relatively no additions. 1133 Mass. Ave. also has a barn on the property.
This neighborhood is adjacent to a former commuter rail line and the small Pierce Station was
located close to the house at 15 Byron Ave. The station was a landmark until it was torn down
sometime in the 60's.
Preserving the style, size, closeness and affordability (in Lexington terms), given the current
building trends in Lexington, are the goals of this NCD.
The initial proposed guidelines for this NCD, as discussed at a neighborhood meeting held on
October 13th are:
1) Houses are to be maintained in their current orientation in relation to the street address.
2) All alterations proposed are to be consistent with the current architectural style and size of
the structure on each property.
3) Proposed additions shall not shade the abutting properties to preclude the use of yards for
gardens or unduly shade windows or porches.
4) Front yards may not be paved to increase parking beyond what already exists.
5) Except for short, decorative fences, no solid fences will be allowed across the front yard or
on the sides extending past the front corners of the house.
6) Solar panels shall be allowed. Other future technologies, especially those directed at
energy-saving or positively impacting climate change, will be evaluated on a case by
case basis.
7) Residents will be encouraged to discuss the use of vegetative fences with abutters
prior to installation.
8) If trees must be removed, the replanting of native, shade trees will be encouraged,
except where shading will have a negative impact on abutters.
9) Exterior house colors should be in keeping with the general tones of the
neighborhood.
10) Notwithstanding zoning setback requirements, additions should reduce green space (back
yards and side yards) as little as possible.
Neighborhood Representatives for Initial Study Committee:
Donna Moultrup Rich Goldhammer
10 Lockwood Rd. 17 Byron Ave.
781-862-0366 781-862-4582
donnamoultrup@verizon.net rich.goldhammer@gmail.com
Chris Neurath
21 Byron Ave.
781-652-0512
cneurath@tds.net