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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-13-PB-packet-released AGENDA Lexington Planning Board Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Selectmen's Meeting Room 7:00 PM Staff Reports 1 General Update (as needed) 2. Comprehensive Plan Update Upcoming Meetings, Events, &Announcements 1 Anticipated Meetings Development Administration 1 Cedar Street Subdivision-Proposed Street Names 2. Site Plan Review- Brookhaven Special Town Meeting (October 16 & 18, 2017) 1 Proposed Planned Development District:45-65 Hayden Avenue Board Administration 1 Board Member Reports Adjourn L . �e u YJ *NM1aI Y,YNC P511N Meeting broadcast by LexMedia AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE General Update (as needed) ITEM PRESENTER. NUMBER. Aaron Henry 1 SUMMARY This is a standing agenda item and is updated for each meeting. SUGGESTED MOTION No action on part of the Board is required for this item. FOLLOW-UP DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Comprehensive Plan Update PRESENTER. ITEM NUMBER. Aaron Henry SUMMARY Staff to provide update on status of Comprehensive Plan as well as creation of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. SUGGESTED MOTION FOLLOW-UP No Follow-up DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Anticipated Meetings PRESENTER. ITEM NUMBER. Aaron Henry SUMMARY This recurring agenda item is to inform the Board and pubhc of the proposed meeting schedule. At this time, the Board has confirmed its schedule out to Special Town Meeting(2017 STM-2), set for October 16 and 18, 2017 The proposed meeting dates are. • September 27 • October 4 • October 16 & 18 (short, pre-Town Meeting meetings) The anticipated schedule after dates S TM are. • November 1 • November 15 • November 29 • December 13 SUGGESTED MOTION There is no need for the Board to act on this item. FOLLOW-UP Should Board members have any known conflicts with any of the proposed dates or wish to request an item be placed on a meeting agenda, please follow up with staff. DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Cedar Street Subdivision- Proposed Street Names ITEM PRESENTER. NUMBER. SUMMARY This agenda item is an opportunity for the Board to continue its conversation from the last meeting regarding the proposed names for two new streets associated with the recently approved subdivision plans off of Cedar Street. Apphcant will be in attendance to share results of survey that was distributed to the neighbors Following names are being considered • Abbey Road • Penny Lane • F arias Court • Wolf Tree Circle SUGGESTED MOTION FOLLOW-UP Once the Board has finalized the names, the apphcant will return at a subsequent meeting to finalize a performance guarantee and plan endorsement. DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 ATTACHMENTS Description Type D C3c',,clo}7=r ;trr *t Name ,u;rqr• tion: F'tttotialy F tckup N'Int-rial D F (:in;ile ;tre NII1 qi,,2,2e cion. Ftici<<nalr IackupDlacrrial 167-173-177 Cedar Street LLC To Mr Aaron Henry, Planning Director, Town of Lexington From Ben Finnegan, Managing Member, 167-173-177 Cedar Street LLC CC. Mr Mike Novak, Senior Prject Manager, Meridian Associates Date August 1, 2017 SENT VIA EMAIL Re 167-173-177 Cedar Street NAMING Enclosed, please find two letters addressing the street naming of our proposed subdivision One from the land owner of over 44 years, and another from an active Lexington resident who currently lives nearby the prject. We respectfully request that these two letters be considered during the meeting during which the Board will discuss this matter We sincerely appreciate the Board's efforts and deliberation on this matter Our preference remains Abbey Road (the longer road which would intersect Cedar Street) and Penny Lane (the shorter road) July 27, 2017 Dear Ben, You asked me for our reactions to the meeting last night regarding the discussion on street naming in the Cedar Street parcel Well it was an interesting and diverse commentary and we would like to express our thanks to the Planning Board for having an open (if not public) discussion on this issue Specifically,we would like to thank those members of the Planning Board who placed value on the inputs of the applicant and owners either by accepting the first two choices(Penny Ln,Abbey Rd—Mr Hornig), or by stating that our inputs should matter(Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti) In addition, we thank the Chair, Mr Canale,who after some independent research suggested the name wolf tree, based on the historical incidence of those trees on our property In fact,there may be current examples of wolf trees on our lot, although many are of the multiple-stem variety that may not be long-lived We appreciate your efforts to employ an arborist to help identify such trees,and to protect them when possible The name and the image of wolf treel captures the strength and timeless beauty of the environment in this area To continue with our reactions to the meeting, a few words'about the naming of Lexington MA. The origin of Lexington is somewhat in dispute, but two contenders for the name are • in honor of Lord Lexington,an English peer, and • the town of Laxton in Nottinghamshire, England It was asserted again in last night's meeting that the suggestions Penny Lane and Abbey Rd are nothing but cute references to an English pop singing group, but in light of the historical lineage of the town's name itself,we respectfully disagree with Ms.Johnson Indeed, as we (44-year residents on this parcel of land) and our neighbors in Lexington move into our 3rd century of acknowledging the history and values of our town, isn't it fitting to recognize a 50+year old British (and international)cultural icon of peace as an important and positive contemporary link to our neighbor across the pond? Another note of historical significance which you have raised before The land in this part of the town was denoted as ministerial land3 denoting the church's privilege to acquire revenue from harvesting and selling trees on it. If we were to live on Abbey Road,we could have both a historical and contemporary link to our address. In closing,we repeat our thanks for the positive words that came from the Board, and continue our support for Penny Lane and Abbey Rd as the street names for the proposed new neighborhood Yours truly, Peter and Susan Staecker 'The biological origin ofwmlf trees is briefly discussed here: httn//pub|idandiournaLcorn/nevv'enn|and/vxo|f'tree 2 Reference https.//em.vvikipediaAorn/wiki/Lexington' Ma^;achusetts The town of Lexington was founded(and given its present name)in 1713 sReference Tom Sileo's Historic Guide to Open Space in Lexington(excerpts provided by Lester Savage);Ch 11, Poor Farm. _ _ July 31,2017 Dear Mr Aaron Henry, Planning Director,and Members of the Planning Board As a 16-year Lexington resident and potential home-owner in the new streets being constructed by Finnegan Development,I'm writing to support the naming of Abbey Road and Penny Lane, I understand there was a question raised about the relevance of these names to Lexington since the genesis is a connection to The Beatles,a British rock band. I see many connections to Lexington's history and community,and a very personal connection for our family My husband, Dave, is originally British and is now a US citizen and Lexington resident since 2000 He's also a musician who's been greatly inspired by The Beatles. Dave performs in public and private venues around Lexington, and for the last 4 years his band has headlined the annual LEF fundraiser In addition to bringing joy to the community through musical performances,his band has been an LEF auction item that raises thousands of dollars each year Beyond this small example of how The Beatles music has contributed Lexington's community, I think it's safe to say The Beatles have brought happiness to a majority of Lexington residents over the years, inspiring generations of music lovers and performers. Another relevant connection is that The Beatles are considered to have revolutionized modern day music, just as our founding fathers started a revolution,A recent PBS special called"Sgt.Pepper's Musical Revolution"explored the creation of this album and The Beatles profound musical influence In this documentary,you'll find a very interesting segment on the construction of the song Penny Lane. Paul and John specifically sought out instruments from the past, including a 19th century reed organ and an 18th century piccolo trumpet,which has a prominent solo in the song.Band instruments of this era,such as the "fife and drum', played an important communications role on the revolutionary battlefield. Finally,I'd like to point out that The Beatles are credited with inspiring a cultural revolution by promoting freedom,peace, love,inclusion and diversity These ideals are represented in current day Lexington culture. Like the global influence of the American Revolution with the"shot heard round the world",The Beatles have had a global impact on music and culture. Fundamentally, music is the common language of all societies and enhances happy occasions of life.The names Abbey Road and Penny Lane bring joy to me and my family and will also put a smile on the face of the new Lexington families moving to these streets. Sincerely, Lorien Moore 10 Vaille Avenue, Lexington,MA 02421 Lexington Resident for 16+years Former Board Member, Friends of Minute Man National Park Music Lover Naming of two streets in the Cedar Street subdivision Richard Canale The Planning Board has the statutory responsibility for naming the street(s) in subdivisions. Traditionally, applicants have requested names for streets, from which the Board has sought justification from the applicant. The Board typically wishes to have streets named which have a nexus to the property Place names, historical events,or other nexus-based factors ate all important. Naming streets after Minutemen has been a tradition, and we have not run out of all such names. If the applicants are unable to propose suitable names,the Board has typically researched names, with or without external help The present-day Cedar Street lots on the northerly side of Cedar were once part of Poor Farm The Town sold these lots to returning World War 2 veterans (see Historical Commission Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey'for documentation-"Lots for veterans housing were set aside on Hill and Cedar Streets, land that was originally part of the town's Poor Farm") It then seems that there are two themes that form a nexus, Poor Farm or World War 2 veterans. I haven't figured two potential street names that would signify a prestigious street name for the WW2 veteran's story, but anyone is welcome to try There seems to be two such prestigious street names that are related to Poor Farm One is the name Poor Farm Lane itself— both new-to-be streets were once part of Poor Farm Additionally, several streets in Massachusetts, New England, and the USA are named Poor Farm Road or Lane(see partial listings below) httos //patch rom/massachusetts/lexington/the-poor-farms-population The other is Wolf Tree Lane There are documented street names that are Wolf Tree Road in other US states,and several tree nurseries and farms that contain the Wolf Tree name The July, 2010 Patch Article that follows suggests that a few trees identified within Poor Farm are being overcome by smaller succession plants. The name place for Wolf Tree lane here links the historical story of succession from colonial wilderness to tamed farm to succession moderate World War2 veteran housing to newer substantial present-future housing on the Poor Farm site http //northernwoodlands org/articles/article/a-place-for-,wolf-trees Examples of Existing Street Names Poor Farm Ln Julian, PA Poor House Farm Ln, Wytheville,VA Poor House Farm Lane New Bedford, MA Poor Farm Ln, Chinook, MT Poor Farm Rd, Harvard, MA Poor Farm Rd, Gilford, NH Poor Farm Rd, New Ipswich, NH Poor Farm Rd Deerfield, New Hampshire Old Poor Farm Rd, Ware, MA Poor Farm Rd, Nottingham, NH Wolf Tree Roads in SC, AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Site Plan Review- Brookhaven ITEM PRESENTER. NUMBER. SUMMARY This is a continuation of the pubhc hearing on Brookhaven's recently approved expansion proposal. The matter was open on August 16, 2017 Since the opening of the pubhc hearing the apphcant has concluded their hearing before the Conservation Commission. The Order of Conditions is being drafted for the Commission's vote at their next meeting. Planning staff met with both conservation and engineering staff on Wednesday, September 6th to go over the final details The only item still outstanding pertains to the right of the public to use the trail network on the site, as detailed in the Memorandum of Agreement between Brookhaven and the Selectmen. Planning staff has included a condition to the decision, see attached, to underscore the importance of this commitment. SUGGESTED MOTION Staff recommends that the petitioners apphcation for site plan review be approved, as detailed in the draft decision. FOLLOW-UP DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 ATTACHMENTS Description Type D Br< <kft<i,'-n tile•Plan k- 'kv Draft Do tis oor Mom �$Mn�N, Town of Lexington o� �a p PLANNING BOARD �b� NPgIL A9* f/ Richard L. Canale,Chair Town Office Building Ginna Johnson,Vice Chair 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Bob Creech,Clerk Lexington,MA 02420 Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti Tel(781)698-4560 Charles Hornig Facsimile(781)861-2748 Michael Leon,Associate SITE PLAN REVIEW DECISION 990-1010 WALTHAM STREET Date of Application. July 25, 2017 Dates of Hearing: August 16, 2017 September 13, 2017 Date of Decision. September 27, 2017 APPLICATION&DEVELOPMENT PARCEL INFORMATION Applicant & Owner Symmes Lifecare, d/b/a Brookhaven at Lexington, Inc 215 Salem Street Woburn, MA 01801 Lead Designer OHI Engineering, Inc 44 Wood Street Mansfield, MA 02048 Parcel Location & Town Assessors' Map 5, Parcels 16A, 19C, 20, and 21A Street Address 960 — 1010 Waltham Street Parcel Area 31 7 ± Acres Zoning District: Planned Development Distnct One (PD-1) PROJECT SUMMARY The application seeks final permission to construct the proposal approved by Town Meeting at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting under Article 44 The application depicts the construction of 49 new independent living units, the reduction of 37 beds in the Nursing Center facility, and the addition of 30 new assisted care units Once completed the entire site would house a total of 289 independent living units, 50 Assisted Care units, and 12 beds in the Nursing Center Site Plan Review Decision 990-1010 Waltham Street April 22,2015 APPLICATION MATERIALS Submitted July 25, 2017 • Major Site Plan Review Plan Set(39 sheets) • Sound Evaluation (by Acentech) • LEED Core & Shell Evaluation Memo • List of Plan Changes (since Town Meeting) • Notice of Intent(NOI) Filing Submitted August 11, 2017 • Updated Plans, Sheets C2.2, C3 1, and C3.2 • Updated List of Plan Changes Submitted August 16, 2017 • Updated Plans, Sheets C4.2, and C6 1 • Updated List of Plan Changes • Updated Notice of Intent Filing Submitted September 7, 2017 • Updated List of Plan Changes SITE PLAN REVIEW DESIGN STANDARDS The Planning Board determines that the proposed development meets the cntena, objectives, and standards set forth in its Zoning Regulations for Site Plan Review, §176-9 0 These standards cover site design, pedestrian and vehicular access, aesthetics, and utilities CHAPTER 120 OF THE CODE OF LEXINGTON,THE TREE BYLAW For sites under the junsdiction of the Planning Board, the Board may waive the application of the Tree Bylaw, in part or in full, if they deem it necessary In this case, the Board waives the Bylaw in full, as the site plan review process has carefully considered the amount of tree loss, including those protected by the Tree Bylaw, against the proposed landscaping and determines that the project as outlined in the documents submitted to the Board, adequately addresses the purposes of the Tree Bylaw DECISION The Planning Board reviewed the plans and other submission material noted above Throughout its deliberations, the Board has been mindful of the statements of the applicants and their representatives, and the comments of the public, all as submitted or made at the public heanng. As detailed above, the Planning Board determines that the proposal meets all of the applicable site plan review development standards of the Lexington Zoning Bylaw and the Planning Board's Zoning Regulations It therefore GRANTS the requested site plan review in accordance with the conditions stated below CONDITIONS 1) The entire tract of land and buildings to be constructed may not be used, sold, transferred, or leased except: a) As governed by this Decision, Page 2 of 3 Site Plan Review Decision 990-1010 Waltham Street April 22,2015 b) As shown on the site development plan, referenced above, and c) In accordance with later amendments to this decision or to the plans 2) This project is subject to the provisions detailed in §176-9 5 through 9 8 of the Board's Zoning Regulations, relating to required improvements, design standards, and the implementation and construction of approved site plans In the event that the Regulations conflict with this decision, the decision controls 3) In order to ensure public access to the trail system on the site as memorialized between the applicant and the Town in a Memorandum of Agreement dated DATE, this approval is conditioned to prevent the issuance of any occupancy permits associated with this application until an easement, or equivalent as may be approved by Town Counsel, has been approved by the Assistant Town Manager for Development. 4) Planning, Conservation, and Engineering staff must be notified if the location or size of the macerator(s), identified on the submitted plans, is changed. RECORD OF VOTE After closing the public heanng and deliberating on the matter the Board voted, on a motion made by NAME and seconded by NAME, X to Y to grant/grant with conditions / deny the submitted application for Site Plan Review For the Board. Richard Canale, Chair Courtesy Copy of Decision to Applicant(by Certified Mail) Police Chief Board of Health Town Assessor Building Commissioner Director of Public Works Conservation Commission Revenue Officer Fire Chief Page 3 of 3 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Proposed Planned Development District: 45-65 Hayden Avenue PRESENTER. ITEM NUMBER. King Street Properties SUMMARY This item is to open a pubhc hearing on the site owner's petition to amend the Town's Zoning Bylaw at the upcoming Special Town Meeting in October, to allow for an additional building and an associated parking garage on this Hayden Ave parcel. Details of their apphcation, called a Preliminary Site Development& Use Plan(PSDUP) can be viewed by clicking here Staffs review, including a review of the transportation study, is on going and expects to have additional communication with the development team as the review proceeds The aim is to have all technical issues addressed and staffs final comments for the Board's meeting of September 27, such that the pubhc hearing may be closed and the Board begin its deliberations on a recommendation to Town Meeting. The pubhc is encouraged to attend and provide comments relevant to this proposal! Interested individuals who cannot make the meeting but wish to comment, should email their thoughts to planning@lexingtonma.gov SUGGESTED MOTION Staff recommends that the Board continue this hearing to its meeting of September 27 FOLLOW-UP Planning staff should continue to work closely with other town departments to finalize staff comments and recommendations for September 27 DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD AGENDA ITEM TITLE Board Member Reports ITEM PRESENTER. NUMBER. SUMMARY This is a standing agenda item to provide an opportunity for Board members to share with colleagues and the pubhc any relevant updates regarding the work of the many Boards and Committees the Planning Board has a relationship with. SUGGESTED MOTION Generally, the Board does not need to take any action on this agenda item. FOLLOW-UP DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA. 9/13/2017