HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-07-25PLANNING BOARD MEETING
July 25, 1933
' A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Town
Office Building on Tuesday eVenilg, July 25, 1933, the following
being present: Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Kimball, Milne, Scheibe, and
Robinson; also the secretary.
WATERTOWN STREET_
RECONSTRUCTION
The Town Engineer presented a tentative layout for a new road
from Massachusetts Avenue, near Aldermanâ–şs Corner, to the projected
new Concord Avenue, which it would join at a point east of the junc-
tion of Bowman Street and Watertown Street, The road would follow
the low land along Sickle Brook, generally parallel with Pleasant St.
It was the opinion of the Board, however, that the junction with the
new State Road should be at the present crossing of Watertown Street,
' so as to provide more practical connection with its continuation past
Belmont Spring Club toward Waverly and the Newtons. It was also sug-
gested that it might be preferable, and less in cost, to undertake in-
stead of an entirely new road, a widening and reconstruction of Pleasant
Street, and working out an intersection with the new Concord Road some-
where in the neighborhood of Hatch's Pond, perhaps abandoning a portion
of Watertown Street which is narrow and winding. This would also avoid
creating another major intersection with Massachusetts Avenue, the pre-
sent corner of Pleasant Street and Mass. Avenue being already adequate
as to width and of good alignment. Mr. Cosgrove agreed to investigate
this matter and report later.
MARY A. WHELAN
PETITION
' A letter was received from Doss Mary A. Whelan of 259 Bedford St.,
asking for a change in the Zoning Law which would bring her property
into a 0-1 Zone, so that she can operate a tea-room and overnight house.
7/25/33 .(2)
Mr. Glynn said that a tea-room had been in operation there for a
year or two under a permit granted by the Board of Appeals; but that
the latter had not seen fit to grant a permit again and had advised
Miss Whelan to ask for a change in zone if she wished to continue her
business in that location. The property is owned by Mr. Reil McIntosh.
Mr. Milne suggested that instead of acting on this petition, 'Che
Planning Board hold a hearing on its own initiative with respect to
re-zon&ng a larger area in that locality, which would include the Smith
"Bell Farm" on the opposite side of the street and adjoin the present
business area occupied by a golf -range. In view of a further develop-
ment of real estate, as now laid out, a business area in that part of
the Town might be desirable.. Mr. Glynn, however, opposed the bringing
in of a larger area; and Mr. Robinson was of the opinion that it should
be presented to the Town at some other time.
It was decided that the Board invite to a meeting in the near future,
the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Counsel, inxx order
to discuss with them the whole matter of tea rooms and tourist houses,
which show a tendency to invade residential districts in various parts
of the Town.
VOTED: That the Planning Board acknowledge Miss Whelan's letter, and
that she be requested to prepare a petition in proper form, obtaining
the signatures of property -owners in the following area:
Both sides of Bedford Street, from North Hancock Street
to Westview and Winter Streets.
Both sides of Valley Road, from Bedford Street to railroad;
and both sides of the followingg streets: North Hancock
Street from Bedford Street to Bertwell Road; Bertwell
Road; Alvin Street; Dexter Road; Gleason Road; Harding
Road; Williams Road; Fuller Road; Dee Road; Simonds Road
from Bedford Street to Bertwell Road; Berbard Street;
Calvin Street; Donald Street; Eldred Street; Faulkner
Street; Jerard Street; Humphrey Street; Justin Street;
and Ivan Street.
7/25/33 (3)'
Upon motion of Mr. Milne, it was VOTED: That the Chairman be
appointed to inform the Board of Selectmen and the Town Counsel that
the Planning Board is interested in the matter of clubs and tourist
accomodations, and to arrange for a discussion of these matters at the
earliest favorable opportunity.
BUSINESS ZONES ON
NEW CONCORD HIGHWAY
Mr. Duffy stressed the opinion that the construction of the new
Concord Avenue highway will create a demand for business locations and
roadside stands, which may become a serious problem for the Board in
the not distant future. Mr. Robinson suggested that it may be desirable
to establish certain business zohes along this road and thus forestall
spotty development; while Mr. Milne proposed that the Town take over
certain areas and lease them for filling -stations and other business
' purposes, so that these will be entirely under Town control. This scheme
is in force in New York, in the Bronx District and in Westahester County,
and appears to aork well. Mr. Milne was requested to obtain more com-
plete information relative to this matter. The secretary was also
instructed to write to the Massachusetts Department of Public Works,
asking if that Department has any regulations affecting the control of
business areas, filling -stations, refreshment -stands, or set -back of
buildings along State highways.
The meeting was adjourned at 11 o'clock.
1
Clerk