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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-01-22PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' JAN. 22, 1940. A meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Town Office. Building on Monday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 P.M. All , members were present, and the Board was particularly pleased to have Mr. Kimball back once more. The Board adjourned to the Engineer's Room to confer with the Real Estate and Parking and Traffic Committees of the Chamber of Commerce, this body being represented by Messrs. Johnson, Custance, Couette, Carlson, Ready and Martin. Mr. Johnson reviewed briefly the subjects under con- sideration, following which Mr. Custance., in presenting a 401 - 1" map showing possible future street layouts, offered -an approximate estimate for putting in the follow- ing streets: Waltham Street to Muzzey Street Proposed Muzzey Street to Clarke Street streets Hancock Street to Merriam Street Oakland Street to Grant Street Mass. Avenue to Waltham Street A copy of this estimate has been placed on file. While it was suggested that a future article in the ' Town Warrant be broad enough to cover all projects, the majority of both committees felt that the street from Waltham to Muzzey Street was perhaps the most significant section, and discussion was centered upon this aspect of the plan. Opinion was divided as to the desirability of extending this street through to Clarke Street. It was agreed that a street from Waltham to Muzzey Streets would enhance the value of property and obviously result in an increased tax return. The property in question is assessed today at about ten cents per foot, while on the Avenue it is about two dollars per foot. The Planning Board presented the Chapin parking study, made last summer, Ybich makes use of inside property and existing rights of way. This provides for the parking of Parking some 113 cars, which should mean a better movement of study traffic on Massachusetts Avenue. The taking by right of eminent domain of this land, as shown in the survey, amounts to 012,138, and does include demolition and site improvement. The figure submitted by Mr. Custance for the street project through this same area was $27,300; it would park approx- imately 80 cars. The question was raised as to whether such a project should.be a municipal undertaking borne by the Town and assessing the betterments on everyone, or whether by private ' enterprise, assessing those benefitted. Again, private interests might possibly be forced into a parking solution. Should such an undertaking be a town service, or a burden borne by a group who would benefit personally? If the Town were to carry it through, it should assess ' betterments, while packers in the area very likely shop in other sections of the town. Mr. Custance felt that such a project would tend also to improve property on the Avenue. It was felt that if a street were put through, there would never be the possibility of increased parking facilities, aside from the street itself, on account of the probable increase in the value of the land. The value of the land cannot be raised from parking alone. The question was raised whether, by thus increasing the business zone, it was fair to the store owners already operating. Mr. Couette felt that, because of the demand for lower rentals, small and desirable first -floor shops would grow up in the area. In conclusion, the group considered that perhaps a combination street, parking area, and shopping center might be planned for. Mr. Greeley has borrowed the Chapin report and Mr. Custancets map to make a study of possible schemes of development._ The first part of this meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M. following which the Planning Board proceeded with business. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as received. Mr. Kimball agreed to make a sketch pian of the desired Middlesex route of the Middlesex Turnpike through Lexington, to be Turnpike sent to Mr. George T. Walsh of Lowell. The Clerk was in- structed to procure the necessary maps and data from the vault. Letters were read from Mr. Fletcher W. Taft, sub Real mitted with the completed real estate listings, and the Estate Clerk was instructed to communicate with Mr. Taft, ex - Listings. plaining that our check was a pre -payment for the entire project, including plotting and to see if Mr. Taft would agree to this arrangement. If this is satisfactory, Mr. Kimball will go over with him the manner in which this Board would like to have the map presented with the in- formation. Nomination Nomination papers were drawn up for the re-election papers. of Mr. Nickerson and Mr. Worthen. The next meetin&will be held Monday evening, Feb. 5th at 7:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. Respectf�u/l�ly. /lsubmitte , Clerk.