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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-10-21PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' October 21, 1940. A meeting of the Planning Board was held on Monday evening, October 21, at 7:30 P. M.,, -in the Town Office Building. Messrs. Greeley, Kimball, Ellis, Ferguson and Worthen were present. Old business Mr. Ellis presented, for the Board's consideration, a final revised report analyzing the study of the proposed public parking area bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Waltham Street, and Muzzey Street. This report comprises the following parts: (1) Map showing present property lines, with assessed valuations, On this is outlined the proposed park- ing area and approaches. Computations of costs of taking of property are shown for two possible methods of procedure. Scheme A. Property to be acquired by eminent domain to build parking area and four approaches. Scheme B, Property owners shall donate to the Town ' an easement for parking only, on the property enclosed by lines as shown on the map, with the entrances through the Leary and Rose properties omitted and the other two entrances widened as shown, to allow 2 -way traffic. Discussion indicated that a considerable saving in cost might be realized by a slight reduction in area in certain parts (reducing cars parked from 108 to 100) and by omitting the paving item. (2) Map showing parking plan, present and new business areas, and area suitable for new stores. Cost of J project, Scheme A. developed: net cost of land, sidewalks and paving and storm sewer; water service; sewer service; total cost of project. (3) Map showing utilities to serve new business area, parking area, and estimated costs. After further discussion, the report was tabled for later meeting with the Selectmen. New Business Mr. Greeley in speaking of the study being made by the architects' Defense Committee, again brought out another phase of the two-family house probelm. This is the possible menace of abandoned, untenantable houses, barns, or similar structures, from the standpoint of espionage activities, and particularly the danger of fires being set, such buildings might be con- demned by the Board of Health. The -meeting adjourned at 9;15 to sit in session with ' the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kimball reviewed the conclusions of the 1935 traffic study in Lexington (E.R.A.) and Planning Board) he suggested that thought should be given to the desirability of another survey,. The Board suggested that further experimentation should be directly toward encouraging people to park in the rear of Cary Hall as an aid to parking conjection. It was also pointed out that in the case of a new public parking space,.as set forth in the report, the loss to the town in- curred by taking now idle land out of taxation could be made up in time by the growth of a new business shopping center. It was felt that action on the proposed parking area was not essential or imperative at the moment. Both Boards agreed that further study should precede any expenditure of money. This should take the form of traffic and parking en- forcement, further investigation of existing facilities (includ- ing Cary, and the rears of the stores) .and last, a traffic Gurney. After this period, a decision might more wisely be made. The Board of Selectmen reported that a State count (<Dept. of Public Works) was to begin here soon, and Mr. Kim- ball will talk with Supt. Paxton, representing this Board. The Clerk was instructed to write the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Paxton this Board's understanding. , The meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M. The next meeting will be held Monday, October 28, 1940 at .7;30 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Clerk J