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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-11-17PLANNING BOARD HEARING November 17, 1933 ' A Planning Board Hearing was held in Bstabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, Friday evening, November 17, 19330 to con- sider the advisability of amending the Zoning By -Law and Map so as to change from a C.1 to an R.1 District all areas now embraced within the C.1 District on the northeast side of Woburn Street and Massachusetts Avenue extending from Fletcher Avenue to Vine Brook, and on the southwest side of Massachusetts Avenue from Winthrop Road to Wallis Court, or any part of such areas. Messrs. Duffy, Robinson, Glynn, Scheibe and Kimball were present. The secretary was also present. Mr. Duffy took charge and read then notice which appeared in the paper and which was sent to 151 property owners in the area designated by the Planning Board. He also explained that the Planning,Board was impressed with the lack of necessity of such extensive business areas in Lexington and believed that the first allotment was very general but experience in Lexing- ton and other communities seems to indicate that a much smaller linear footage is required for the business needs of Lexington. He stated that one of the owners of considerable property named in the petition had stated to the Town Meeting and'in- dicated to the Planning hoard that he would like to see this ' change made and he and others have indicated that in the Interest of the Town and to safeguard the Town property. The purpose of the hearing was to find out how the property owners in the area felt about it. Mrs' Sexton, 1519 Mass. Avenue, representing her mother, Mrs. Leary, who owns the property at the corner of Fletcher Avenue and Mass. Avenue, stated that they were opposed to any change being made and wishes the property to remain as it is. Mr. Paul McDonnell, representing Daniel J. O'Connell, and Olive C. Myers, stated that he wished to record their objection to the change. Mr. Duffy asked him if he knew Mr. O 'Connell ' s state- ments made before the Town in favor of the change and Mr. McDonnell replied that he did not. Mr. H. B. Lamont, ',Ninthrop Road, stated that he was surprised to learn that the property in question was business and while he did not think he was really affected by the change, he would like to see the district kept residential. He also stated that as he would not like to see filling stations at the corner of Mass. Avenue and Winthrop Road, he would very strongly favor making it a residential district. Dr. William L. Barnes, 1557 Mass. Ave., owner of property adjoining the Town property, stated that he always felt that it was rather unnecessary to have made this property business as it will be a long time before the Town will need that area for business purposes. He reported that he had several offers to sell the lot below his house for stores but had refused to do so and thinks it will be for the best interests of the Town to keep both sides of the street in a residential area until the Town needs it and then it can be changed. Mr. Theodore A. Custance, stated that he appeared on notice received himself and was not representing the Baptist , Church. He said he notified the executives of the church but none appeared. He remarked that he was glad to see that the Planning Board had taken this move as he felt that when the Zoning Law was started, many unnecessary,business districts were made. He feels that it would be wrong to let the property opposite the Town buildings be built up as a business district, and would like to see the district changed to a residential zone. , Mr. H. B. Lamont again stated that he would like to see the corner lot at Mass, Avenue and Winthrop Road kept residen- tial and favors changing the property between the Baptist Church and Winthrop Road to residential property, In regard to the property on the other side of the Baptist Church to Wallis Court, he felt that it is very near the garage and an existing business section and if the people in that section wish to retain it as business., he had no objection. With respect to the Town buildings, he said he would like to see them protected and thought it up to the Town to act irrespectively if they wanted to protect them. Mr. Duffy asked if any others wished to speak and as no one wished to do so, the hearing was declared closed at 8:45 P. M. Respectfully submitted, 1 Clerk 1 PLANNING BOARD MEETING November 17, 1933 ' A meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Confer- ence Room of the Town Office Building, Friday, November 17, 1933, after the hearing in Estabrook Hall, Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Kimball, Robinson and Scheibe were present. The clerk was also present. Mr. Glynn suggested writing letters to the Baptist Church, Edgar Thivierge, Anstiss Hunt, Nobert English and Mrs. Erma L. Burgess and call to their attention the fact that the Planning Board held a hearing and they were not represented and the Board would like their opinion as to the advisability of the proposed change. Mr. Duffy felt also that there should be something to show on record and that the matter should be taken up with the Town Counsel in regard to damages in this case. Mr. Mass, Ave. Duffy then talked with Mr. Wrightington on the telephone on Zoning the matter and was advised that no damages can accrue and the owner would be protected under the non -conforming use. He also thought it wise to get the opinion of the property owners who did not appear at the hearing. Motion was made and seconded that the clerk be instruct- ed to write to the Board of Trustees of the Cary Memorial Building and those owners of property who were not present ' or who did not express themselves at the hearing as to whether they favor the proposed change, and it was so voted. Mr. Robinson read a letter from the Board of Selectmen requesting that the Planning Board continue their study of Sickle Sickle Brook as they were anxious to get an appropriation Brook at the March, 1934, meeting to do the work. Mr. Robinson read a letter from Federal Emergency Ad- ministration on Public Works stating than an amount of money had been set aside for surveys putting unemployed men to work. If a project is put before the local board, assistance Survey will be given. The Chairman suggested that the local board Projects meet with Fir. Cosgrove and the Chairman of the Selectmen and find out from headquarters how the money is loaned. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P. M. Respectfully submitted, I Clerk