HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-11-24PLANNING BARD MEETING
November 24,1936
' Present;- Messrs. Borden, Ferguson, Nickerson and Kimball.
Also Mr. Raymond by invitation.
A general discussion centered around the functions of the
Board of Survey and their connection with the work of the
Planning Board, It'is evident that proper co-ordination of
the work has not existed due to a misconception of duties, at
least an the part of the Planning Board,
Mr. Raymond explained the requirements necessary to a 'Board of
proper petition for Board of Survey'layout and advised the Survey
Planning Board of the instructions as adopted by the Board of
Survey in 1932. It is apparent that through inadvertence, these
requirements have not been enforced end the Planning Board is
of the opinion that it is proper to -require and is a function
of the Planning Board to secure, properly prepared maps be-
fore making future recommendations.
In the'specific case of the Ryder Road, it was decided
that Mr. Raymond would obtain from Mr. Ryder a proper map
showing grade with proposed drainage and easements. Lotting Ryder
on the south side of the road can be made at this -time Road
although the Board feels that nothing definite should be
attempted on the westerly side until there- is more informa-
tion regarding the probable location of Vine Brook.
' At 9;00 P. M. the Board met with the Town Counsel
and the Selectmen to discuss the new enabling act known
as Chapter 211.
.The Town Counsel stated that the act did not become
effective until January 1, 1937, but that he felt the Boards
should consider what action should be taken. Under the act,the
powers of the Selectmen may be enlarged or transferred to the'
Planning Board. Mr. Wrightington said that under the new act,
the Board of Survey can prevent the development of vacant land
in ways that will become an expense to the Town and that the.
Board could determine what a developer had in mind, controlling
the layout by with -holding building permits until requirements
had been met. This would not however apply to plans which
have already been filed or recorded.
Mr. Giroux asked if any regulation could be made.as to
minimum cost of a house and qtr. Ferguson replied that legally
no city or town could regulate the value of a house to be con-
structed.
Mr. Borden spoke of the new development in Arlington on
the Concord Turnpike and said he thought the Town should con-
sider minimum lot requirements and should try to increase the
frontage of lots so that no development could start in Lexing-
ton similar to that one.
' Chairman Ferguson asked the Planning Board what its
feelings were toward taking over the powers of the Board of
Survey. Mr. Borden replied that the members were not particularly
interested in taking over any more duties or authority. He said
that he felt there was a distinct weakness in the present set-
up. What happens is that a plan is presented; the Planning Board
does not know the engineering problems nor the drainage problems;
they hold no hearings, and do not always know whether there are
problems involved or not. ' He felt that at presexit the Planning
Board were doing a rather superficial job on the subject. He
did however think that there should be someone to see that all
of the engineering problems were taken -care of.
Chairman Ferguson asked if he thought the Planning Board
could do'a better job if it acted as a`Board of Survey also.
Mr. Borden said that it could not without an appropriation and
without direct contact with Mr. Raymond and the Town Engineer.
He supposed that logically the subject should rest with the
planning body but felt that the Selectmen were in closer contact
with the engineering problems.
Chairman Ferguson said that the draw -back as he saw it was
that the Selectmen were not familiar with what the Planning Board
had in mind for future developments. Mr. Borden thought as the.
act is now drawn up, it would be necessary to have a master map
prepared and that should be a Planning Board function. Mr.
Kimball said that a master map had been in the minds of the
Planning Boards since 1933 and that the present topo map wfas
started with the"t in view.
Mr. Borden asked the Selectmen if they felt the present
set-up was satisfactory. Mr. Ferguson said that he thought that
the Board of Survey and the Planning Board should be under one
head. He felt that the Selectmen had so many other duties that
they did not have the time to give the Board of Survey layouts
the study that they required. He thought the Planning Board
were in a much better position to consider and pass on layouts.
Chairman Ferguson asked if the two boards were combined,
would the Selectmen have any control as far as public utilities
were concerned. For instance, if a,developer came in and asked
for water, sewer, streets accepted, etc*, could the Selectmen
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deny the request until the street appeared on an approved plan? Chapt.
Mr. Wrightington said that the Board would not only have the 211,
right to deny the the requests but it would be its duty to do Enabling
800 Act -
Mr. Borden asked if additions to the official map would
Planning
have to come'before the Town Meeting in order to be accepted
Board &
and recorded, and the Town Counsel answered in the af'firma-
Board of
tine. Once the map was adopted'by the Town, it would be neces-
Survey
sary to go through the usual routine after the Planning Board
has acted and accepted anything, an6 a developer who wants a
street accepted, has to go before the Selectmen and"then go
before the Town. The Town Counsel stated that it would not
be necessary to adopt an official map, but if it was adopted,
it should contain everything in effect as of a certain date_.
He said a master plan is compulsory.
Chairman Ferguson said he did not think the,Town would
have the sane control over a master plan as'it would over an
C
official map. He said the thing to do was for the Planning
Board -and the Board of Selectmen to give the matter further
study. Mr. Borden asked if there was any reason why they
should act speedily in the matter. -Mr. Wrightington said
that there was -no hurry but he thought the Town might want
more control over new developments.
Chairman Ferguson said that if it was possible to accept
the sections that would give the Board of Survey additional
power,they would take that up at the Annual Town -Meeting and
the other parts could be left until a later date.
The Planning Board reconvenied at 10:00 and after con-
siderable discussions, it appeared that the concensus of
opinion was favorable to accepting the provisions .of the Act
covering the combination of the two boards and the sub -division
control; provided the necessary action was instituted and
carried out by the Board of Selectmen.
Reports covering the hearings on proposed amendments for
changed from R.l to C.1 Districts were reviewed and after
deliberation, it was
Voted:- That the Board recommend favorable action on
Mr. Peterson's petition.
Voted:- That the Board recommend adverse action on
Mrs. Cutler's petition.
Voted:- That the Board recom end adverse action on
Mr. D eVincent's petition.
Briefs of the reports and recommendations to the Town
covering these three petitions were drawn up and Mr: Borden
will prepare draft copies for further consideration.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P. M. until 7:30 P. M.
December 1, 1936.
Respectfully submitted,
Clerk
Amendments