HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-02-16 PLANNING BOARD ?,9'.BTING
February 16, 194
Present: lbrthen, Richards, Ferguson, Hoixilette and Cromwell.
Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards.
Voted to pay $15 for annual dues for 194$.
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The Board met with the Selectmen, the Cemetery Commissioners
and a group from Cambridge (Hanlon Associates) who seek to build a
cemetery on the properties formerly belonging to the Minuteman Golf
Club.
The Cambridge group, in answer to a question as to why they are
seeking through a bill in the Legislature to by-pass the usual routine
in such matters, explained that this was because they anticipated strong
objection to their project from the Town of Lexington.
They suggested that though the project wouldbe tax-exempt they
would be amenable to a provision in the bill under which they would
agree to make certain annual payments to the town in lieu of taxes.
They mentioned a figure of from $4,000 to $6,000.
The Cambridge group explained a part of their motive for planning
a cemetery rather than a housing subdivision was the cost of building
roads consistent with the town requirements, the cost of home construc-
tion, etc. By inference, they favored the cemetery idea because there
was more money in it.
After they left it appeared that the Selectmen, the Cemetery
Commissioners, and the Planning Board were opposed to the project. The
Cemetery Commissioners pointed out that there was still plenty of
burial ground area in Lexington for all denominations. There is to be
a public hearing in Boston on the bill on March 2. It was agreed that
all the Lexington groups present would plan to be repreeented at the
hearing to oppose passage of the bill and that other support in the town
should be enlisted.
It was agreed that the location of the property was not desirable
for a cemetery. It is not secluded like others in the town. It is on a
heavily traveled way. There is no need, so far as Lexington is con-
cerned, for additional cemetery space. Location of a cemetery on the
spot in question would destroy property values and curtail the town in-
come despite payment of a few thousand dollars a year to the town as sug-
gested.
Colonial Acre_
The Board met with Phr.Albert Miller and reviewed in a preliminary
way the proposed layout of the Sherburne Road area.
Arlington Zoning,_0a21g
Messrs. Worthen and Ferguson reported on their meeting with the
Arlington Planning Board re establishment of a business zone in Arling-
ton on the Concord Turnpike next to the Arlington line.
It was decided to advise the Arlington PlAnning Board by letter
that the Lexington Planning Board opposed the idea on the following
grounds: a business zone at that point would create a bottleneck on
the turnpike, especially as it appeared that there would be no service
road and no room for such a road or room for parking except on the
turnpike. If there could be room for parking there would still be
hazards due to cars entering and leaving the turnpike. It was decided
also to tell the Arlington Planning Board something of the experience
of Lexington in such matters and to explain some of its ideas for
development of the turnpike in Lexington. In general it was decided
to tell the Arlington Planning Board that it would consider the pro-
posed change detrimental to convenience and safety.
Boston & Maine Transportation Comnanv
The Boston & Paineransportation Company has petitioned for
license to operate busses along the Concord Turnpike between the
Lincoln and Arlington lines.
The Planning Board decided to advise the Selectmen as follows:
It sees no valid reason for not granting the license. The proposed
bus route would be consistent with the purposes for which the turn-
pike was originally constructed. Were busses on the turnpike would
lead towards altering the turnpike to a divided way with a separating
strip in the middle. This would be a desirable outcome.
Respect ®® submitte
i. L4 '
Richard .Cromwell
Clerk