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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-10-08PLANNING BOARD MEETING October 8, 1956 A regular meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Town Engineer's Room, Town Office Buildingk on Monday, October 81 1956 at 7:35 p.m. Present were Chairman Hathaway, Messrs. !Abbott, Adams, Burnell and Jaquith, the Planning Director and the secretary, Mrs. Milliken. The minutes of the Planning Board meetings of September 4, 10, 17, 24 and 27, 1956 were MINUTES approved. The following bills were approved for pay- ment, Mr. Adams not voting: Wallace B. Mitchell BILIS Co., white prints --$2.96 and $2.45; Minute -man Publications, Inc., advertising --15.00 and $3.75; Spaulding -Moss Co., pencils -41.80; U. S. Post Office, printed envelopes -438.54; Bruce E. How- lett, traffic survey studies and car mileage for period ending Oct. 5, 1956--$91.82; Mary G. Camp- bell, secretarial services, period ending October ' 5, 1956--$6o.00; Anne H. Milliken, secretarial services -45.00. The following'Form A applications were taken under consideration for determination of FORKS A Planning Board jurisdiction: #56-77, submitted October 8, 1956 by Donald B. Cameron; olan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington -Mass.", Scale: 1" = 201, dated Sept. 241 1956, Miller and Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors, Lexington, Mass. #56-781 submitted October 8, 1956 by Myron H. Ferrin, Treas., for Leeland Construc- tion Co., Inc.; plan entitled "A Compiled Plan of Land in Lexington -Mass.", Scale: 1" = 40', dated Sent. 28, 1956, Miller & Nylgnder, C.E.'s & Surveyors, Lexington. #56-793 submitted October 8, 1956 by H. S. B. White, Treas. for Constructors' Proper- ties, Inc.; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington Mass.'t, Scale: 1" = 40', dated Oct. 5, 1956, William J. Ford, Jr., C. E., Newtonville, Mass. #56-80, submitted October 8, 1956 by Harvey W. Newgent, agent for Leeland Construction Co., Inc.; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexinggton-Mass.", Scale: 1" = 40t, dated Oct. 8, 1956, Miller and Nylander, C.F.ts & Surveyors, Lexington, Mass. It was moved, seconded and unanimously VOTED: that applications #56-78, #56-79 and #56-80 be signed bearing the endorsement "Lexing- ton Planning Board approval not rewired under the subdivision control law. With reference to the plan accompanying application #56-77 it was found that in adding a parcel to lots 477 and 478, lots 475 and 476 would be reduced in area to less than legal size. 1t-' was decided to so notify by letter the petitioner, Mr. William Sullivan, owner of said lots 475 and 476, and the Building Inspector. At 8:00 p.m. a public hearing was held on OAK KNOLL the applic k cion for approval as a subdivision the SEC. 1 property of Kenneth F. Blodgett and Ernest E. ' Outhet known as "Plan of Lots at Oak Knoll Section OUTHET REALTY One Lexington -Mass. owned by Outhet Realty Trust, TRUST 25 Ivan St., Lexington, Mass." Present were Mr. Farl F. Outhet, represent- ing the petitioners; Mrs. Leonard W. Hopkins, 4 Scotland Road; Mrs. Charles C. Flanders, 10 Scot- land Road; Mrs. Frederick M. Kirlin, 8 Scotland Road; Mr.Jack L. Mitchell, 12 Scotland Road; Mrs. Homer J. Hagedorn of Lowell Street, and two uniden- tified persons. The Chairman opened the hearing by reading the notices of the same as it had been sent to all property owners deemed to be affected and as it has been published in the September 20, 1956 issue of the Lexington Minute -man. He then explained the procedure to be followed in conducting the hearing and called upon Mr. Outhet to discuss the defini- tive subdivision plan. Mr. Outhet pointed out that the plan con- sisted of extensions to both Appletree Lane and Peachtree Road, and a new street which would connect said extensions. He noted that there would be 16 lots fronting on these new streets. He then ex- plained the drainage system which was planned in the to -8-56 in the subdivision, including the provision to re- locate the present water course and drainage within an easement shown on the plan. He said that a 24" drain pipe would be installed in the easement and in part of the new roads from the adjacent Sun Valley development to the main brook shown norther- ly of Lot 8 on the plan. Mesdames Flanders, Hagedorn and Hopkins in- quired about the filling of existing ditches, gullies and pits, as they described them, and what protection their lots would have from runoff from t the subdivision. Mr. Outhet said that no provision existed now for properly draining the lots but with the leveling of the pro -nosed lots to natural grades and the installation of a large drain pipe he thought all surface runoff and underground water conditions would be taken care of. The Chairman read a letter, dated October 3, 1956, to the Planning Board from the Board of Health in which the latter board stated that it was in doubt as to whether or not lots 10 and 12 in the subdivision could be used as building lots without injury to the public health. Mr. Outhet said that ' a brook ran through these lots now but after fill- ing the lots and installing the proposed 24" drain p1pe, the Trust will have to have percolation tests made again by the Board of Health. Mrs. Hopkins asked if the Trust=ts develop- ment would be connected to that of DeVries. She was informed that at the present time it would not be connected but that the Planning Board had plans Co extend Appletree Road to Tyler Road over an easement shown on the Sun Valley, Sec. 8 subdivision plan. -2- There being no further questions or discussion the Chairman asked for an indication of those who were in favor of or opposed to the approval of the plan. Three persons indicated they were in favor of the plan's approval, no-one indicated opposition to approval. Thereupon the Chairman closed the hearing at 8:25 p.m, stating that the plan would be taken under advisement. Mr. Snow reported that there had been sub- mitted that day applications for approval of two definitive subdivision plans, the first entitled "Sun Valley Section Fifteen" and the second "Robinson Hill Section Three." Public hearings on said applications were scheduled for 8:30 and 9:00 p.m., respectively, on October 24. At 8:30 p.m .the Board held a public hearing SUN VALLEY on the application of the DeVries Construction Company, , SEC. 16 Inc. of Wakefield, for approval of the Sun Valley, Sec. 16 definitive subdivision plan. Only two persons DE VRIES attended the hearing, Mr.Robert G. Venne, civil engineer, CONSTRUCTION representing the applicant, and Mr. John J. Molloy of 9 COMPANY Whipple Road. The Chairman opened the hearing by reading the notice of the same as it had been sent to all property owners deemed to be affected and as it had been pub- lished in the September 271 1956 issue of the Lexington Minute -man. He then explained the procedure to be followed in conducting the hearing and called on Mr. Venne to discuss the subdivision plan. Mr. Venne said that the subdivision consisted of seven lots on the proposed extension of Locke Lane. He said he had nothing further to add but would be glad to answer any questions about the plan he had prepared. Mr. Molloy said his principle purpose in coming to the hearing was to find out how long it would be before the road was constructed. He said the tons of rock left for road construction were a hazard for the children in the area and also diverted surface runoff ' water across his lot and into the cellar of his house. Mr. Venne said that the construction of the road would begin as soon as the subdivision plan was approved. He explained to Mr! Molloy many details of the subdivision plan, pointing out how the grading would be undertaken for the road and how surface water would be diverted into catch basins to be installed in the road. The Chairman asked Mr. Molloy if he were in favor of approving the plan. Mr. Molloy said he was neither in favor of or opposed to it. Thereupon, the hearing was closed at 8:55 p.m. and the plan taken under advisement. Considered next was a letter, dated October 2, BOSTON 1956 from Mr. Mark Bortman, Chairman of the Boston NATIONAL National Historic Sites Commission, to Mr. Jaquith, HISTORIC member of the Planning Board, inviting him to attend SITES a private meeting of the Commission on October 15 at COMMISSION 3-00 p.m. (See addendum.) Mr. Jaquith said he would attend the meeting. It was suggested that he.furnish the Commission a copy of Chapter 447, Acts of 1956 of ' the General Court, establishing an Historic District Commission and Historic Districts in Lexington, as approved June 11, 1956. 10-8-56 ' The Board gave further consideration to the petitions of James A. Carrig and William E. Fitz- gerald to be heard by the Board of A -peals on October 16, 1956. The Board approved drafts of letters to the Board of Appeals opposing the granting of said petitions. (See addenda.) After transacting its formal business the secretary was dismissed and a general discussion was held of current problems before the Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Levi G. Burnell, Jr. 4,10 03MU171 Boston National Historic Sites Commission October 2, 1956 ' Mr. Wilbur M. Jaquith. Member, planning Board Town of Lexington 1.4.2 Somerset Road Lexington 73, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Jaquith- -3 - BOARD OF APPEALS CARRIG- FIT 2GERALD Since ,you were present at a public hearing held by the Boston National Historic Sites Commission on February 6, 19561 the latter has had the opportunity to investigate some of the problems relating to properties of national historical significance that lie in the Town of Lexington. The Commission is concerned, in particular, about the Lexington -Concord Battle Road of April 19.t 1775, and is of the opinion that certain sections of this historic route merit serious consideration for being more formally defined and preserved for all time. It, of course, is realized that changes are taking place rapidly along this route, but the Commission, nevertheless, feels that it would be remiss in its responsibilities if it overlooked a succession of sites that are so much in the mainstream of American history. ' Sections of the Battle Road in the Towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord have been studied and it is the de- sire of the Commission to discuss at private meetings the problem of their preservation in more dstdil with officials of the towns and their historical and patriotic I organizations. The Commission wishes to meet first with representatives from the Town of Lexington. You, therefore, are cordially invoted to attend a private meeting of the Commission in Room 1400, Post Office & Courthouse, Boston, Massachusetts, at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 1956. It is hoped that you may be able to be present. Sincerely yours, Isl Mark Bortman, Chairman Same letter sent to Mr. Albert G. Frothingham, Lexinrrton Minute -Men. Did not attend Mae Hon. Raymond W. James, Selectman Did not attend Mr. Wilbur M. Jaquith, Planning Board Attended meeting October 91 1956 Board of Appeals Town Office Building Lexington 73, Massachusetts Re: James A. Carrig ' Petition for golf course and accessory uses Gentlemen: The Planning Board has discussed the petition referred to above and set forth in your notice of September 27, 1956 and decided to present to the Board of Appeals the follow- ing written statement in regard to the matter. As the notice is worded it is not clear to the Planning Board whether the petitioner is asking for a permissive use or a variance. Since the petition is in the name of an individual, it is assumed that the use of the premises will be of a profit nature. In the Lexington Zoning By - Law such use is not authorized in residential areas. If the petitioner is risking for a variance, the I'lanning Board wishes to be placed on record as being strongly op- posed to the requesting of such a variance. It is understood that the State has made a taking of land adjacent to Pleasant Street and the Cambridge -Concord high- way so that there is no known access onto the property as shown on the plan submitted. If there is such an access it would be located on the pro- ' posed approach ramp to the overpass which the State Depart- ment of Public Works now plans to construct over Pleasant to -8-56 -4- Street. The Board believes that the location of this point of access, the steep grade to reach it from the Carrig property, the number of cars which would use Pleasant Street to reach the proposed development and the narrowness of the street itself constitute a traffic hazard of no small proportion. It is felt that the traffic as well as the noise of the people using the swimming pool and other facilities would create a nuisance. Noise tends.to rise and would be es- pecially noticeable to the residential area on higher ground northeasterly of the proposed development. The Board feels that such a situation would definitely impair the status of the neighborhood. Lastly, your attention is called to the fact that a club house and swimming pool with showers and related facilities needs an adequate sewerage system. In the area where it would seem the most logical to provide for such a system, there is swampy and low land which has very poor leaching qualities. This fact can be substantiated by an October 1953 Whitman and Howard drainage and sewerage report, a copy of which is in the possession of the Board of Health. There is no town sewer in this section of Lexington and not much likelihood that there will be one extended to the area in the near future. Very truly yours, LEXINGTON PLANNIr?G BOARD Is/ Donald D. Hathaway,Chairman October 102 1956 Board of Appeals Town Office Building Lexington 73, Massachusetts Re: William E. Fitzgerald Petition to use trailer as temporary office -residence Gentlemen: The Planning Board has received your September 27, 1956 notice in regard to the petition of William E. Fitzgerald for permission to have a trailer on his land as a temporary office -residence pending the completion of the first house in his proposed subdivision. The Board has discussed the petition and decided to prepare the following written state- ment in regard to the matter. As noted in a January 17, 1956 letter to your Board regard- ing a similar petition the Planning Board has been and con- tinues to be opposed to permitting house trailers in Lexington In taking this position the Board has not recommended their ' Inclusion as a permitted building or use in this town's zoning by-law. The Board believes that their inclusion in residen- tial districts tend to depreciate the value of neighborhoods and feels that public convenience and welfare will not be substantially served by granting petition for house trailer use. The Board likewise believes that literal enforcement of the by-law would not involve substantial hardship to the petitioner who at present resides in North Reading. In addition it should be pointed out that the petitioner's land is not "now being developed" for the reason that the Boatd has not approved the subdivision because of certain technical difficulties. Tamen these are corrected the Board will then reconsider the petitioner's request to approve the subdivision plan on condition that, among other details, no building shall be erected or placed on any lot until the re- quired improvements necessary to serve adequately such lot have been completed to the satisfaction of the Planning Board, Very truly v ours, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD Isl Donald D. Hathaway, Chairman I D