HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-04-18i,ETING IF PLANNING BOARD
Thursday, April I&, 1933
?resent; Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Kimball, Milne, Scheib, Robinson.
Also Mr. Cosgrove, Town Engineer.
CURRAN DEVELOPMENT
The Board discussed the proposed work on the Curran property
in East 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 ID;"' for about boo feet back from the
Avenue, as compared with an existing grade on Silvia Street,
adjoining, of 11% to I3%. It wasbrought out that ad®quate 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. ,Tohnson, the owner, plans to erect
20 houses at an earle;* date. Mr Duffy questioned the ood faith
of Mr. Johnson and the authorization of Mr. Northrop IF.ngineer)
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 a.,opeared reasonable and in most respects
preferable to the original plan for an entrance to the plot from
Silvia. Street; and upon motion of Mr. mrilne, seconded by Mr. Glynn
it was VO= : That the matter be tentativel;;,,- approved subject
to the .presentation of a finished work-ing plan showing profikles,
etc., of all the proposed streets.
AD TNG'" ?. O"'S AR"
Mr. Cosgrove roused 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 Aoard for individual study. he estimated that it
will take 45 days to complate a topographical map showing all
details. It is a,parent that the Sickle Brook channel should be
considered concurrently with this, and Mr. Cosgrove suggested
that he could prepare sketches of the whole area to the Toburn-
Winchester-Arlington boundaries, showing the proposed 7rinehester
highway; and he will also obtain estimates of the cost of making
collies 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.
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APART •C STT Z"OniS
Mr. Cos rove presented Block -plans of the 24uzzey St. -glass.
Ave. Waltham St. areas. From the viewpoint of establishing; a
typical limited apartment zone in that area, Mr.Milne pointed
out the difficult;,:r of draftinj speffifications for that type of
zone which would satisfy all requirements that mibht be encount-
ered in practice. Mr.Duffy sud6ested that some provision might
be adopted allowing the Board of Appeals to grant permits for
"R.3" buildin;s under biven conditions, subject to certain
limitations or general principles.
;Alr.Tlynn 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 o,)portunity
to pass ,)on any change in policy with respect to R.1 zones, either
by voting to zone specific ;lots from time to time, or by creating
a general zone which would act as a "buffer" between 'business
and S.I districts. Mr. Glynn then subgested that R.I deveiopments
mill ;)robabl•1 take y)iace in isolated localities; and that thefore
a, by-law in the form of an enabling act, j)ermitting the Planning
Board to create this type of apartment zone subject to a vote of
the Town, might be a placticra solution of the matter. The
relative merits of multiple -unit vs. four story apa•tments was
discussed to some extent.
7 i7 J7�C T
TTpon invitation of the Board Mr. Roger Greeley appeared, with
further details relative to the pro'ect for which the establishment
of an X2.3 zone had. been originally petitioned. 11r. Duffy expiaineo_
to him the tentative acuendment 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 inr.uired of f,r.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,.Wr.Greeleysa.id that the cost of such
land is prohibitive; that the I09 -foot depth of thy: business zone
along the Avenue dour not permit sufficient set -bac, and that
such a, location would also be too noisy. Rentability siowever, is
of perhaps .yore importance than financial considerations. He
concede that the rear of the Valentine property, fron'�ino on
`Dine Broo c Road, -would be somewhat as acceptable. 1U.Greeley
made the statemment that he and hi: associates were endeverino to
su
.d.oyi a social need in Lexington, by providing; low-cost, group
dwellings which might act as"fLeders" for community browth.
.�,rospectivp tenants could_ b.: pooh;;,)eople, 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,
' inex)ensive houses; but that eten�a mmgli aingle house costs half
as much again as equivalent aecomodations in a multii)le-unit
development.
v
,`r. Duffy stated that there is P defina.te trend toward this
sort of development; that there is also a considerable problem
in the utilizrtion of interio' areas near bu:-.iness centers. It
was su66ested that a public hearin6 could reasonably held, to
which reliresentative ; itizens mi6ht be invited, for the ,purpose
of a broad discussion of the whole sub,ect.
-1r. a'iln sue ested that ?exha�7s.a ne, street layout throth h
suc« interior areas:rLi.It be considered at this time; but it was
dec c c that a 13oa.ru of Eurves layout would prohibit the normal
use of tiie land involved and mi;ht result in ciaims for dama6e.
It was agreed that me.ubers of the Board should take copies
of the ,oropos,.d amendWert a,nd study the problem before another
meeting; meantime the Torn `,nineer could perhaps submit a
sxetch of possible street developments in such areas.
The meetin6 ad olz, ned at II. bo P.jjff.
Sheldon Robinson, Cleric.
J