HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-02-17PLANNING BOARD bIEFTING
February 17, .1933
A meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Conference Room of
the Toti�rn Office Building, Friday, February 17,- 1933. Messrs. Duffy,
Scheibe, Milne and Glynn were present. The Town Engineer and secre-
tary were also present.
Mr, Glynn suggested that Yr. Duffy draw up some resolutions Mr,
on the death of Mr. Emery who died Thursday, February 16, 1933. Mr. 'Einer 's
Duffy consented to do so and said he would present them at the next Deatt
meeting.
Upon motion made by Mr. Scheibe, Mr. Duffy was unanimously Chairman
voted as Chairman.
&ir. Duffy read a letter from Mr. Trask stating that the
Selectmen are considering the use of unemployed labor for deepening
and widening Vine Brook below Hayes Lane in accordance with recommenda-
tions of Metcalf & Eddy and that they have designated Mr. Custance Vine Brool
to confer with the Planning Board and work with them on a study of
the project. A letter was written acknowledging his letter and ad-
vising him that the matter would be brought up at an early date.
Tvr. O'Connell came before the Board in regard to his petition,
received Friday, February 17th, for a change in zoning of the tri-
angular lot of land at the junction of Woburn Street and Mass. Ave.
He said he wanted instructions from the Board as to what he was to
do for the hearing. Mr, Duffy informed him that the formalities
were the same. He must present a formal petition signed by 50°
Of the valuation of the property in the area designated by the
Board and deposit a fee of t2osoo,
Mr. Milne stated that this was the third time this petition
has been presented and there should be some change of reason for
presenting it over again. There should be some limit of time con-
trolling these petitions.
Mr. O'Connell stated that he did not realize that the Town
wanted it for a fire station until he was put on the Board of
Selectmen, and if he thought the Town wanted it novo he would post-
pone action on it. He said it was possible to bring the case to Daniel J,
court but thought it easier to bring it up at the Town Meeting and O'Connell
If the people did not want it, they could refuse the change.
Mr. Duffy called Mr..O'Connell's attention to Section 17 of
the Zoning Law and stated that a formal petition should be signed
by the property owners of 50% of the valuation, asking for the
change instead of just stating that they do not oppose the change.
Mr. O'Connell stated that he would draw up a form of petition
f.rom Section 17. He is not asking for a waiver of the 20 ft, set-
back. He agreed to deed to the Town any part of the land at the
corner of Hayes Lane for the Extension of Sherman Street. If the
Town would use the triangle, he would postpone action on it, but
the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Blake, who was on the committee
Investigating the matter, have reported definitely that they do not
want it for a fire station. When the first zoning map was made
this area was business but a coal yard was proposed there and the
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Planning
2-Planning Board Meeting February 17, 1935
zoning was changed for that reason.
Mr. Duffy informed him that that was not the main reason it
was changed. It was done because it was felt that the status of the
area would be important to the Town and it might be a community buffer,
s far as a fire station is concerned, with a proper building which
the Town can afford, it is an ideal place and many citizens approve it.
Mr. O'Connell stated that the land belonging to Dr. Barnes
next to the Cary Memorial Building was talked of as a possible site
for the fire station. Dr. Barnes' price is $35,000.00 for the land
needed for the fire station plus the cost of moving his house and
changing the lines. He also said he did not intend to put anything
there that would be hard to look at because he lived opposite it
himself. Mr. Blake and the committee investigating the fire station
site came to the conclusion that they did not want the land for that
purpose. He stated that he received a certain price from a company
and would be willing to sell it to the Town at a much lower one, as
he would like to see a fire station there.
Mr. Milne stated that he would be willing to make a contri-
bution to have the Town hold the property.
Mr. Duffy informed Mr. O'Connell that he thought the citizens
of the Town would be willing to make a liberal contribution to keep
the land open as a park and control it until such time as it can be
considered for a fire station.
her. O'Connell replied that he did not like the idea of carry -
Ing it on indefinitely and if enough people felt that way he would
be willing, but he thought it would look as though he was trying to
sell it. He also suggested putting an article in the Town Warrant
for March 20th before the one asking to change the zoning and let
the people discuss it.
P+r. Duffy felt this would be up to the Chairman of the Selectmen.
Mr. O'Connell further stated that he would be willing to wait
two years if he thought the Town wanted it for a park. The Board was
also informed by Mr. O'Connell that the Legislature has removed the
restrictions prohibiting a filling station being built next to a
church and he could build one next to the Baptist Church because
Lexington has not made any restrictions in regard to this.
Mr. Duffy informed Mr. O'Connell that the Board would talk
the matter over and let him know their action. After Mr. O'Connell
had gone, Mr. Duffy stated that it would be wrong to insert an
article in the warrant without taking the matter up with Mr. Trask
and the Finance Committee.
Motion was made and seconded that Mr. O'Connell be instructed
by letter as to the proper form of petition and fixed area to be
affected by such petition and it was so voted. It was decided that
a second letter be sent to advise him that owing to the insufficiency
of time, the Board felt that there was not an opportunity to Intro-
duce into the warrant for the coming meeting an alternative article
which would give the Town the opportunity of considering the broader
aspects of the land. It was so voted and two letters were written
him.
Mr. Frank W. Perkins then came before the Board and asked
by the area within which he was to get signatures of the owners of
0/ valuation was extended to the Rest Inn and up to the new church,
including three gasoline stations, when last year it ran from the
Cooke property to Follen Road and the Wilson property.
Mr. Duffy informed him that it was up the the Board to fix
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Planning Board Meeting February 17, 1933
the area and previously the Board did not do so becaise they used the
same one the Selectmen used for his previous hearings.
When fir. Perkins asked the distance which was supposed to be
covered, Mr. Duffy stated that the districts covered no fixed distance.
It covered the area which the Board thought was affected by the petition.
Mr. Perkins felt that from Oak Street to Follen Road and from
his place to the Rest Inn was double the distance. He also said that
the area was unreasonable because it included three gasoline stations
and seventy lots on Hillside Avenue whose owners live out of town,
Monica Holland living in California at the present time.
Mr. Duffy informed him that a larger area might just as well
reflect favorably on him as unfavorably.
Mr. Perkins said he presented signatures of 75% of the valua-
tion in the district last year and it was not enough to get a feeling
from the Board as they were all against it from the start. This place
in question has been doing business for 120 years. He asked the Town
Engineer to state the distance from Oak Street to Follen Road and
the Rest Inn and was informed that from Oak Street to Follen Road is Frank W,
about 1190 feet and from Oak Street to the Rest Inn about 1400 feet* Ye -r -Es
He then asked the Board to consider the names that he presented last
year and lir. Duffy informed him that they could not consider it. He
then asked to have the area, as it was before.
Mr. Glynn stated that he thought the Board should consider the
matter later and let him know if the area is changed.
1r. Perkins stated that he wanted to know then.
Mr. Milne stated that he agreed with Mr. Glynn and Mr. Duffy
in saying that the Board would let him know if the area is changed.
After Mr. Perkins left, the matter was discussed and a letter
was written informing him that the area designated by the Planning
Board would remain the same.
Mr. Duffy reported that he had talked with Bir. Hartman re-
garding the proposed R. 3 District, and had been informed br'Mr,
Hartman that he would have to prepare amendments to the Zoning Law
which would incooperate in it the specifications and other changes
the Board felt was proper and he felt that he could not do it as a
State matter and would have to do it as commercial matter and it
would cost $50.00. Mr. Duffy said he instructed him to go ahead
with it.
It was moved and seconded that the payment to Mr. Hartman
for advice on zoning matters amounting to $50.00 be approved for
payment when presented and it was unanimously voted.
It was decided that notices for this hearing, if there is
any, will be sent to all Town Meeting kembers and registered return
receipts sent only to the property owners who were notified for the
Board of Appeals hearing on this same subject.
which
Mr. Hart-
m--anreg�ard-
nin R
District
It was decided that Mr. Duffy call a meeting when he receives
the articles from Mr. Hartman.
Respectfully submitted,
Clerk
The PLANNING BOARD
Lexington, Mars.
F5 Gl i3 'Its', 01 'tip: L '�>TidG9'C'; r''J"'IN11"'O BW4,1 FEIibUI- Y 17, 1938
ihK:I: Fs It; : LINCOLN EYFE'Y
l I) 7 » 1988
:Fix'',AS it has seemed fitting to Llmighty God in Hie
Infinite wisdom to remove from our midst our beloved
associate and friend,.
i tF:D1:itIC LINCOLN F:MUY
and,
Ii:HMkS the Town of .exington, which he loved ,and served
so ably with unswerving fidelity and sincerity of purpose,
has sustained an irreparable loss,
be it
What in his passing, we, his associates who knew
.. so intimately and were privileged to serve under his
lnsp'r!ng leadership, testify by these 1AFSOLUTIONS to
his sterling character, unfailing loyalty and devotion
to all that was worthwhile in our community life.
Horn in Portland, lZaine, in 1867, he came early to Lexington,
graduated from our schools, passed the Bar, rising to eminence
In his profession, and during a crowded life found time to give
unselfishly and unceasingly of his talents and outstanding
ability to every important corrunity endeavor.
Anong the more Important of these was the Planning Hoard, of
which he wus Cha►irnan for twelve of the fifteen years it has
functioned. It was to this Board which he loved so well, and
through it to the Town, that he gave to the last of his strength,
.Indliness, and outstanding ability, coupled with a love for
beauty and an Indomitable courage and tenacity of purpose.
And be it further
J�7 fjLV _D, Thait a copy of these Resolutions be sent to the
iriedlate family and spread upon the records of the `Lown,
J. Henry Duffy
Clarence H. Cutler
Edgar F. Scheibe
Wm. D. Milne
C. Edward Glynn
The planning hoard,
Yebruaary 20, 1933 Lexington, Mass.