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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-03-13 PLANNING BOARD MEETING Match 13, 1933 A meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Conference Room of the Town Office Building, Monday, March 13, 1933. Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Milne and Kimball were present. Messrs . R. A. O 'Connell, A. Leonard Anderson, and Gordon Northrup came before the Board in regard to the development known as "Lexington Brick Village" , which was formerly the old Curran proterty, and was also owned by the Starr Realty Company. Messrs. O 'Connell and Anderson are the real estate brokers representing Mr. Johnson, the owner, and Mr Northrup is the engineer. Mr O 'Connell stated that they were anxious to get an en- trance from Mass Avenue instead of having to branch off Sylvia Street . It would be better for the development, better for the type of house and better for the Town to have the entrance from Mass. Avenue because it is going to be something that everyone will be proud of. Mr . Duffy stated that studies had been made by the Town Engineer and the Planning Board had already stated its reasons for not wanting the approach from the avenue , which was that the grade was too steep, and a cut would make the entrance ulgy. To this Mr. Northrup replied that they could get the grade down to 9%. hr. Johnson is willing to cut the hill off to get the 95 grade . They went before the Board of Selectmen and were 11/ told to make another sketch and see the Planning Board. hr. O 'Connell stated that they intended to put up some good houses but if they had to go through Sylvia Street, they would put un cheap houses to fit that section, as it would be impossible to sell the better house . Mr Northrup informed the Board that hr. Johnson built 17 houses in 1932 and 16 in 1931 and sold them all for not less than "Lex. $10,000.00 each. He thought it would be better to go over the TarrEk matter again with Pur . Cosgrove and thinks Mr. Johnson would let Village" him cut the grade to 81 if necessary. The owner intends to cut off the steep bank so there would be no condition like that exist- ing opposite Child 's Garage , and has a place where he can use the fill . Ir . O 'Connell stated that if they had to go in to the development from Sylvia Street or Cherry Street, they would have to buy their way in because the property owners would hear of it and charge high prices for the land needed for entrance . He said he had not spoken to them in regard to the land needed. The land owned by Mr. Johnson in the development is 1200 feet deep and 300 feet wide . He intends to cut off the Sylvia Street section by planting a row• of trees along the property line. It was decided that they confer with the Town Engineer and let him present a plan to the Board and after it is studied, a date will be set for another appointment. Planning Board Meeting -2- March 13, 1933 Eugene J. Vraetzer, Jr. came before the Board in regard to -41 the proposed multiple dwelling house at the rear of the Marshall block. His intension for appearing was to let the Board know that 11/ they had not dropped the matter and were still waiting for action Proposed from the Planning Board. Multiple Mr. Luffy informed Mr. hraetzer that the Board was working Dwelling on the proposition but were not sure that they would have it ready for presentation to the Town at the coming Town Meeting. Mr. Custance came before the Board as a representative from the Board of Selectmen in regard to the Vine Brook project, and said that the Board of Selectmen suggested using unemployed labor to deepen and widen the brook between Adams Street and Hayes Lane . He said that Mr. Trask did not think it necessary to make plans or studies for that area but it was his feeling that before anything of done , the whole area between Grant Street, Lowell treet, East Street, Hayes Land and Woburn Street should be studied, and definite lines laid down. He suggested that it be laid out as a park area such as the Town of tiuinchester is doing with their unemployed. The Town Engineer stated that there would be no change in the brook from East Street to North Street but from East Street to Grant Street it will be changed. On account of the natural layout of the brook, with the exception of 250 feet and 1500 feet, the present channel of the brook could be followed . Mir. Duffy stated that he thought no part of it should be Vine worked upon until the whole project, from Butterfield's Pond to Brook 11/ Hayes Lane is laid out , as it was wrong to start a project of this Project sort before it is legally worked out . Mr. Milne felt that the immediate thing to do was to deter- mine the amount of land that will have to be purchased in the area, make a recommendation as to what modifications to provide in the area, and have the Town Engineer determine the proper width of taking from the new center line . He also stated that the Board agreed that nothing should be done until it is worked out satis- factorily and the Town has legal control of it . Mr. Duffy stated that if it was undertaken to widen and deepen the stream, purchases would have to be made for adjacent land for a cross section and the maintenance of it, and of other questions come up such as parks or roads, it would be proper to let it go until the basic control is laid down. Mr. Custance stated that Mr. Burnham disapproved lowering the brook as it would spoil his land, but felt that that something could be arranged to make a dam to supply water during the season Mr. Burnham wanted it for farm purposes . Mr. Duffy felt that it was up to the Board of Selectmen to authorize the Town Engineer to proceed on the portion between East and North Streets and work it up to a point where the Planning Board could discuss it in regard to roads, takings, etc . The Town Engineer replied that he could establish the location of the channel with the exception of 300 feet at the Bowker property but in order to lay down the lines of takings he would like the opinion of the Planning Board as to whether they want a double barrel highway or just a road parallel with the brook. He said the proper taking would be 150 feet . 1 Ivir . Milne felt that coming up from the Arlington line there is a long undeveloped area through which sewers have got to be run and a layout of streets made for future development and that the -11 -3- Town should not proceed until it is definitely known where the roads and sewers are going and what is needed. for takings . The matter was discussed further and the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P . K. 111 Respec fully su _fitted, Clerk I L.