Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-11-09PLANNING BOARD MWING November 9, 1948 ' Present: Cromwell, Richards Worthen Johnson Adams Burns Blackwell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Mr.A.L.Ripley sat with the Board as an unofficial member, pending approval by the Board of Selectmen of his nomination. Zoning By- aw Rgyision Mr.Blackwell discussed the subjects outlined for study at the last meeting, toward the end of working out preliminary drafts of the proposed articles. Subjects discussed as follows: a. Corner Lots and Small Lots Mr.Blackwell stated that examination of the Board's popu- lation map indicates about 660 (maximum) corner lots not yet built on, this including both; paper and real streets. Further check will indicate how many of these are under 12,500 where a 30' front yard would be a hardship and result in a Board of Appeals case. In reference to "small lots", W.Blackwell proposed a ' rewording of this article as originally drafted last year. For lots smaller than now required and legally recorded previous to the adoption of the zoning by-law or its amendments, such lots may be regulated as to change of use when built upon. The land may be combined into units of certain specified sizes, to com- ply with our present requirements, except for area. This attempts to relieve the burden on the owner, Building Inspector and Board of Appeals. For example, three 50' lots may be divided into two 75' lots. This article will not compel owners to combine lots; it simply makes the procedure permissive instead of mandatory, as last year. b. Lot Sizes Mr.Blackwell reviewed briefly the zoning of lot sizes in Lexington, commencing with the 50'-5000 sq.ft.lot, and presented tabulated data of lot sizes and areas zoned in 21 towns of the Metropolitan area. Statistical data was also presented which tabulated population growths in the same area, showing in final analysis that the town is gaining more than its share of growth and that proportionally more land is available. A map was also presented indicating the present major built-up areas. The Board referred to Mr.Blackwell's proposed re -zoning map of the town, on which the residential lot areas are tenta- tively proposed as 12,500 sq.ft.; 25,000 sq.ft.; and 40,000 sq.ft. After lengthy discussion on lot sizes and zone limits, betterment costs for large lots, streets, etc., the Board tents- tively was of the opinion that the town's patt is al- ready definitely fixed, and that whereas the 40, 00 sq.ft. lot (150' frontage) is desirable, the actual attainable might be nearer 20,000 sq.ft. with a frontage of 120' or 1251. No final decision was reached. c. R-2 Zones (Elimination of) This was a portion of last year's recommen tions not presented to the town. Except for the hoes s built during the war (below Maple St.) very few two- ly houses have been erected in the past 25 years. here was considerable discussion as to the small amount o buildable land in the R-2 areas, whether it would be unrea onable to prevent such building on open lots where the s ending property is so built, etc. If the R-2 zones aro elimin- ated the present uses go on indefinitely, and thme is re- course to the Board of Appeals. There was alsomuch dis- cussion on the desireability of providing for g den -type apartments as an alternate or substitute, withou a deci- sion being reached. ... �•.�._Mr*V_#rWP-TWj Awther discussion on the question of keepening the present business areas, especially in the center of the town, with the Board agreeing in favor of incorporating mandatory off-street parking in the zoning revision. Custom Built Homes The Chairman read a letter from Mr.Mclaughlin requesting ap- proval of change in grade of the following streetss Munroe Road, Wood- cliffe Road and Normandy Road. To this the Planning Board has agreed. Clerk was instructed to write fr.Hclaughlin that his letter to the Board and the Board's letter to him, together with the new profile drawing (when received) will become a part of the agreement. ARMtmiations Committee The Clerk reported correspondence from the above committee, that they Trish the Planning Board to meet with them on December b, for the purpose of presenting and discussing our budget for next year. Mr.Worthen reported that Mr.Hardy, representing the Arts & Crafts Society, wishes to make an appointment with the Board relatives to the recent music -teacher case before the Board of Appeals in an effort to clarify in the revised zoning by-law certain business uses now not permitted. The Board was of the informal opinion that incorporation of the wording "customary home occupation" (as proposed last year) would 1 perhaps make these cases permissive, but full discussion would have to be ' postponed. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr.Hardy that the Board will be unable to hear his group in the immediate future because of a full schedule, but will notify him as soon as it is possible. John T.Blackwell - Bill The Chairman read a letter from _Mr.Blackwell re -stating his -mder- standing of our agreement, and with a view to presenting a bill in part, asked the Board's confirmation or correction. General discussion and checking confirmed the fact that the special appropriation of $3500 was to be expended as follows: $1000 for basic town and neighborhood studies, and $2500 for complete redrafting of the zoning by-law and map. $450 was expended by the Board toward the cost of the aerial surveys (the remaining $500 by the Selectmen, who agreed that the maps would be useful to all departments) this sum being paid out of the Board's regular appropriation of $1200 rather than from the $1000 for neighborhood planning. It was also brought out that Mr.Blackeell bad been commissioned by the Selectmen and paid for a comprehensive street plan lay- out study. This work (approximately $300) rauld normally have come out of the Board's appropriation for the neighborhood studies. The Clerk stated that the Board's present balance ($1200 budget) is approximately $362. after ter much discussion of the matter the members of the Board were of the opinion that it would be more profitable to discuss the complications in person with Mr.Blackwell. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Edwin B.Worthen,Jr. Clerk Pro -tem 1