HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-04-18 IE7TING OF PLANNING BOARD
Thursday, April Ib, 1933
Present, Messrs Duffy, Glynn, Kimball, Milne, Scheib, Robinson.
Also Mr. Cosgrove, Town Engineer.
CUhRAN DEVELOPMENT
The Board discussed the proposed work on the Curran property
in Nast Lexington, particularly with reference to a revised plan
presented by Mr. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, showing the proposed
grade of the entering street at its intersection wiht Mass. Ave.
This grade is approximately IO;. for about a00 feet back from the
Avenue, as compared with an existing grade oa Silvia Street,
adjoining, of II% to I3%, It wasbrought out that adequate storm drai
drainage already exists at that piont on Massachusetts Avenue,
which will Cary off the added water from the new street.
It appeared that the development is planned to provide
46 building lots , and that Mr. Johnson, the owner, plans to erect
20 houses at an earlel* date. Mr Duffy questioned the good faith
of Mr. Johnson and the authorization of Mr. Northrop (Engineer)
to appear for the former. Mr. Cosgrove was convinced that both
are well informed and. prepared to carry the job through in
accordance with the specifications.
The layout appeared reasonable and in most respects
preferable to the original plan for an entrance to the plot from
Silvia Street, and upon motion of Mr. Milne, seconded by Mr. Glynn
it was V)TED That the matter be tentatively approved subject
to the presentation of a finished working plan showing profiles,
etc. , of all the proposed streets.
A°LINGTJN T•iEADO•"S AMA
Mr Cosgrove proposed to furnish several copies of his
preliminary map of the ,Maple Street-Arlington Meadows area, show-
ing "hard ground" areas, which would be suitable for use of
members of the Board for individuel study, he estimated that it
will take 45 days to complete a topographical map showing all
details It is apparent that the Sickle Brook ohannel should be
considered concurrently with this, and Mr. Cosgrove suggested
that he could prepare sketches of the whole area to the Woburn-
Tincheater-Arlington boundaries, showing the proposed Winchester
highway, and he will also obtain estimates of the cost of making
copies reduced to a scale of 200 feet per inch.
VINE BROOK
The Question was asked regarding the status of the Vine
Brook matter whether any work had been done, and its present
condition. Mr. Cosgrove reported no further work had been done,
but that recent measurements show that the water level in Vine
Brook, at Vine Brook Road and elsewhere, is not as high as in
I9..I, in spite of recent heavy rainfall.
2
APARTMENT ZOIS
Mr Cosgrove presented Block-plans of the Muzzey St.-Mass.
Ave. Waltham St. areas. Prom the viewpoint of establishing; a
typical limited apartment zone in that area, Mr.Milne pointed
out the difficulty of drafting specifications for that type of
zone which would satisfy all requirements that might be encount-
ered in practice Mr Duffy suggested that some provision might
be adopted allowing the Board of Appeals to grant permits for
"R 3" buildings under given conditions, subject to certain
limitations or general principles
Mr.Glynn held that the board of Appeals should not be
delegated full authority in so important a matter. Mr Milne
expressed the view that the Town should be given the opportunity
to pass eon any change in policy with respect to R zones, either
by voting to zone specific plots from time to time, or by creating
a general zone which would act as a "buffer" between business
and R I districts MIr. Glynn then suggested that R I developments
will prooably take place in isolated localities and that thefore
a by-law in the form of an enabling act, permitting the Planning
Board to create this type of apartment zone subject to s vote of
the Town, might be a plactical solution of the matter. The
relative merits of multiple-unit vs fouu story epa_ tments was
discussed to some extent
C'T`JEL7 ' 'Di O J' C T
upon invitation of the Board Mr Roger Greeley appeared , with
11 further details relative to the project for which the establishment
of an H 3 zone had been originally petitioned Mr Duffy explained
to him the tentative amendment to the zoning by-law which was
beim, considered by the Board, under which it would be feasible to
allow the construction of limited apartments out side the C I
areas in which they are now permitted.
Mr.Milne inouired of Mr.Greeley if this particular site (rear
of Carey Library) was necessary to the success of the project
under duscussion, if ft could not be as well carried out on the
Valentine property or other areas which might be available on
Massachusetts Ave In reply,Mr.Greeleysa.id that the cost of such
land is prohibitive that the I0A-foot depth of tht, business zone
along the Avenue dous not permit sufficient set-bacx, and that
such a location would also be too noisy Pentability however, is
of perhaps more importance than financial considerations. He
concede that the rear of the Valentine property, tronLine on
Vine Brook Road, would be somewhat as acceptable Mr Greeley
made the statemmenc that he and hie associates were endeverine to
suppyl a social need in Lexington, oy providing, low-cost, group
dwellings which might act as"feeders" for community growth.
Prospective tenants would b youn;; people, also others who desire
small quaters and adiquate service. Consideration had been given
to securing a tract of land which could be devoted to small,
inexpensive houses , but that aten a mmall aingle house costs half
as much again as equivalent accomod.ations in a multiple-unit
development
ai
Mr. Duff-i stated that there is a definate trend toward this
sort of development, that there is also a considerable problem
in the utilization of interio areas near btu-iness centers It
was suggested that a public hearing could reasonably held, to
which representative :itizens :dight be invited, for the purpose
of a broad discussion of the whole subject
h ',Milw, suggested that perhaps a ne- street layout throe n
suc“ interior areas might be considered at this time, out it was
dec.Lc::-d that a -Board of .'urves layout would prohibit the normal
use of the land involved and night result in claims for damage.
It was agreed that members of the Board should take copies
of the propos d amendment and study the problem before another
meeting„ meantime the Town Tgineer could perhaps submit a
snetch of possible street developments in sucn areas
The meeting a.d,Jou, ned at II o® P.M.
Teldon Robinson, Cleric.
1
I