HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-08-28 HEARING
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Monday,August 28,1950
Present: Cromwell, Adams, Caouette, Ripley, Town Engineer Burns at 9:30)
The meeting opened at 8:00 o'clock. Inasmuch as too many people appeared
to be accommodated at the Town Engineer's office, the meeting was adjourned
to Estabrook Ball.
Hearing - Russell Property
This meeting was held for the purpose of hearing a petition from
barren E. Russell - 1: to amend the zoning by-laws to include an .A-1 dis-
trict which would permit hotels and garden apartments; 2: to change the
Russell House property into an A-1 zone.
The meeting was opened by the chairman, Mr. Cromwell, who read the
notice of the hearing as it appeared in the Lexington Minute-man of Aug.
10 and 17. Fifty-five people were present. Mr.Tropeano, attorney for Mr.
Russell, stated his arguments for the acceptance of the petition of which
some of the main points were: 1. Lexington's need for a hotel and apart-
ments; 2. the suitability of this particnlAr piece of property for such a
project and the fact that there was a hotel there for many years; 3. in-
come of $12,000 to the town; 4. the fact that if not now, we must eventually
face the development of the town and the land may be built up with compe-
titive new houses which would be less desirable than controlled apartments'.
Mr.Reed, Ir Sheldon and Mr Custance then spoke in favor of the petition.
Mr Walsh then read a letter from his father, James J.Walsh, which
was against the project. Some of the objections were that it would let
down the bars and result in commercial enterprises in the area such as
has happened in neighboring towns; 2. that the additional income would be
practically offset by the probable number of children whose sbbooling
would be an added expense; 3. that it would destroy the charm and semi-
rural aspect of our town. This was followed by arguments in the affirms-
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tine by Mr.Caouette, Lrs.Litchfield, L4r.Mbrthen, Mr.Ross; and in the nega-
tive by Lir.Fbllows, Mr.Hill, Mr.Crout and Mr.McKechnie. A telegram had
been received from Mr.Donald K.Hathaway who wished to be recorded as being
in favor of the petition.
111 showing of hands resulted in 28 favorable and 8 against. The
matter was taken under advisement and the Board will present its recommend-
ation at the next town meeting which will take place in the fall.
This portion of the meeting was adjourned at 9:30.
'Tuning By-lava
The meeting readjourned in the engineer's office where Mr.Harold
Stevens, Town Counsel, was present and a discussion of the zoning by-laws
followed.
Bills,
A bill was presented from Mr.John Lichtenburg for research and
plotting of all developments since 1945 amounting to $41.00; one by
Louise M.Baker for recording and typing records of six Planning Board
meetings, $15.25; Adams Press for advertising of Russell hearing, $14.00.
It was voted to pay these bills, Lir.Adams not voting.
Release of bond - New Amsterdam Casualty Co.
It was voted to release New Amsterdam Casualty Co. concerning
bond on Grace Y. Taisey dated January 16, 1930 on subdivision on Craw-
ford Road.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 until Thursday, September 7, for fur-
ther discussion of zoning by-laws with vtr.Stevens.
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W S ' :ouette,
Clerk
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