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PIAITNING BOARD MELTING
December 10, 1956
The Lexington Planning Board held a closed
meeting in the Town Eb7ineerls Room, Town Office
Building, on Monday, December 10, 1956 at 7:40 p.m.
Messrs. Abbott, Adams, Burnell, Grindle and Jaquith
were present as also were Mr. Snow, Planning Direc-
tor and Mrs. Milliken, secretary. Chairman Hathaway
was present only from 10:15 p.m. until the end of
the meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr.
Burnell and voted that Mr. Jaquith be Chairman pro
tem.
The following bills were presented and ap-
proved by the Board for navment: Anne H. Milliken, BILLS
secretarial service for December 3, 1956 meeting --
""5.00; Marg G. C,amnbell, secretarial service for
period ending December 7, 1956 --?24.00.
The minutes of the November 26 and December MINUTES
3, 1956 Planning Board meetings were approved.
Considered next were the following Form A
applications for determination for Planning Board
jurisdiction:
#56-100, submitted December 10, 1956 by
Frieda Semler Seabury; plan entitled "Plan
of Land in Lexinmton-Mass.", dated June 2,
1956, Miller and Nylander, C.T'.Is Fe Sur-
veyors, Lexin7ton, Mass.
#56 -lois submitted on December 7, 1956 for
DeVries Construction Co., Inc. by George J.
DeVries; plan entitled 'Plan of a Portion
of Section Seven Sun Valley in Lexington
Mass.", Scale: 40 feet to an inch, dated
Nov. 2:8, 19563 pobert G. Venne, Engineer.
After due consideration it was moved, second-
ed and unanimously
VOTED: that the plans accompanying Form A
applications #56-100 and X56-101 be
signed bearing the endorsement "Lex-
ington planning Board approval under
Subdivision Control Law not required.
FORMS A
Mr. Gummere stated that in talking with
officials of various towns he was sure that they were
approached by Manu people with every conceivable idea
of what land should be used for He said that in
this case Mr. Donovan, who was a real estate agent,
had obtained options on land in Lexington and neigh-
boring communities on a purely speculative basis know-
ing that Filene's was interested in locating somewhere
west of Boston in Route 128. He further stated, how-
ever, that in order to indicate Filene's seriousness
about this proposal, the company had engaged consult-
ants to prepare site, building and traffic studies
which he wished to nresent. He asked only that the
proposal and studies be kept confidential for the
reason that Filene's had such a stake in its efforts
to date and in its valuable relationship with the
households in the Town. Mr. Jaquith asked if members
of the Board were at liberty to discuss the proposal
with the general officers of the Town. Mr. Gummere
said he would loave the matter up to the Board, that if
the proposal did not make sense to it Filene's would
wish to drop the nronosal and leave Lexington as
quickly as possible. He said that Filene's would not
wish to do anything without the Planning Board's sup-
nort.
Mr. Gummere first presented a man showing the
Swenson land on Snrina Street and several adjoining
nronerties as Filene's first choice, and the only one
looked at seriously, for a location of a regional
sl^opning center west of Boston. He said the site was
about 70 acres in size. Mr.Adams asked if the site
included any of the Havden property. Mr. Gummere said
that it did not but that the nossibility of extending
into this land would be discussed if the Board showed
any interest in the shopping center proposal. Mr.
Adams also asked if Filene's had looked into the pos-
sibility of using other sites in Lexington. Mr.
:lummere said that this had not been done for the reason
that if the general Swenson site did not make sense to
At 8:00 p.m. Mr. John Lno an a�_Francis
DDoarmeenMto
the
REGIONAL
B. Gummere came o anning
SHOPPING
present a proposal for a regional shopping center in '
CENTER
Lexington. Before they made their presentation Mr.
REZONING
Jaquith explained to them the different steps which
PPOPOSAL
must be taken in order to rezone land and in a general
way some of Lexington's rezoning problems, especially
in rezoning land from residential to anv kind of com-
mercial use. He said, however, that members of the
Planning Board all had open minds in regard to these
problems and so would consider his nronosal. He sug-
gested that Mr. Gummere rrive a broad approach to his
presentation.
Mr. Gummere stated that in talking with
officials of various towns he was sure that they were
approached by Manu people with every conceivable idea
of what land should be used for He said that in
this case Mr. Donovan, who was a real estate agent,
had obtained options on land in Lexington and neigh-
boring communities on a purely speculative basis know-
ing that Filene's was interested in locating somewhere
west of Boston in Route 128. He further stated, how-
ever, that in order to indicate Filene's seriousness
about this proposal, the company had engaged consult-
ants to prepare site, building and traffic studies
which he wished to nresent. He asked only that the
proposal and studies be kept confidential for the
reason that Filene's had such a stake in its efforts
to date and in its valuable relationship with the
households in the Town. Mr. Jaquith asked if members
of the Board were at liberty to discuss the proposal
with the general officers of the Town. Mr. Gummere
said he would loave the matter up to the Board, that if
the proposal did not make sense to it Filene's would
wish to drop the nronosal and leave Lexington as
quickly as possible. He said that Filene's would not
wish to do anything without the Planning Board's sup-
nort.
Mr. Gummere first presented a man showing the
Swenson land on Snrina Street and several adjoining
nronerties as Filene's first choice, and the only one
looked at seriously, for a location of a regional
sl^opning center west of Boston. He said the site was
about 70 acres in size. Mr.Adams asked if the site
included any of the Havden property. Mr. Gummere said
that it did not but that the nossibility of extending
into this land would be discussed if the Board showed
any interest in the shopping center proposal. Mr.
Adams also asked if Filene's had looked into the pos-
sibility of using other sites in Lexington. Mr.
:lummere said that this had not been done for the reason
that if the general Swenson site did not make sense to
12-10-56 -2-
to the Town as a Shopping center site, then he thought
nothing; else would-. -1-le said that Filene's next con-
sideration for a site would have to be outside Lexing-
ton but that he honed that the firm would not have to
come to that.
Mr. Jaquith pointed out that the site was in a
residential area and stated that the neonle there might
consider a shonninc^ center as an encroachment. Mr.
Donovan commented that the rise in terrain with rock
outcropping and trees constituted a natural barrier be-
tween Shade Street and the site of the center. He said
that there would be additional trees planted in con-
nection with the development of the project. Mr. Gum -
mere added that he understood the problem which had to
be met but that it was un to Fiiene's to demonstrate by
its plans and -Its sincerit7 in carrying- them out that
the majorit- of residents in the area would be satis-
fied with the nronosed development.
Mr. Gummere next exhibited an undated man en-
titled "Su -Tested Preliminary Plan Lexington Shopping
Center prepared for '.lm. Filene's Sons Inc, by 7filbur
Smith and .q,ssociates," said map showing the nronosed
widening, and relocation of Routes 2 and 128, relocation
' of Spring Street and nronosed interchanges at said
street and. the ;unction of Routes 2 and 128. On the
map in diagrammatic form was the oeneral circulation
pattern which Mr. Gummere said was based on what the
Smith _^,ssoci ktes would recommend for taking care of
traffic to and from the center. He also said that while
It was the nolic7 of the State Department of Public
14orks not to allow access onto limited access highways,
such as "oute 128 and nroposed relocated 7oute 2, the
Department would allow, as shown on the map, access on
and off ramps for a center as large as nronosed.
A chart showing by what routes and volumes traf-
fic wo?zld come to the .shopn. in_g center was also exhibited
and discussed by ?r. "ummere. He pointed out that
T,Tilbur Smith and Associates had computed the volumes of
traffic based on 700,000 square feet of floor space
whereas the total building; area would nrobably be be-
tween 500,000 and 550,000 square feet. Fe said that
the anticipated peak traffic during; daytime would be
1500 cars ner hour going* into the center and 1600 cars
going out and at night 1700 cars in and 1800 going out.
Noting the relative narrowness of Spring_ Street
and the diagram of traffic flowing over it and Marrett
Road, Mr. Jaquith asked what percentage of all traffic
to and from the center would use this route. Mr. Gummere
said an estimated 11.7 percent of, all shopping center
traffic. ,
Mr. Adams asked about the total floor space it was
anticipated would be in the shopping center and how
much assessed value there would be. Mr. Gummere said
that nreliminary studies indicated that the buildings
would occupy ground area.,
306,800 square feet of grounarea,
some buildings being one story in height, some two and
some three. He also said that the total cost of the
center would be about 18,000,000. Mr. Gummere stated
further that 5000000 was Filene's estimate of the
assessed value of the center.
There was then discussed the matter of utilities.
Mr. Gummere said utility companies would install gas
and electricity. He also said that the center would
require 2,50 gallons per minute at peak demand. 141hen
asked about how sewer needs would be met, Mr. Gummere
stated that It was his experience that towns had seen
fit to make expenditures for such needs because of
the taxes which would be obtained from assessments.
The problem of police protection was discussed. Mr.
Gummere stated that the center's protection would be
Filene's resnonsibility. Citing an example, he said I watchmen would be necessar'T to prevent use of -narking
areas at night.
Mr. Jaquith asked how many-ersons would be am-
ployed at a shopping center such as was being nroposed.
Mr. Gummere said that Filene's estimated that one am-
nloyee was needed for each X15,000 of annual sales but
the ratio really should be one employee for each
X20,000. He said that on the basis that the center
would have about P40000 of sales per square foot be-
tween 1100 or 1200 basic regular employees would be
needed with additional temporary employees required
on Saturdays and at Christmas. Mr. Adams asked if
Lexinmton would be depended on only as a source of per-
sonnel for the center. Mr. Gummere replied that Filene's
would welcome such a source but would not depend upon it.
Mr. Abbott stated that it was his o -inion the
biggest objectors to his proposal would be the Lexington
merchants. He asked if a shopping center as proposed
would not eliminate them for business. Mr. Gummere com-
mented that the economic answer was that a project such.
as he was discussing would stand on its feet with an
estimated annual gross sales of �,22,K00,000 and that at
the same time there would be a demand for existing Lex- '
ington facilities. He said hardware stores, theatres,
banks, etc. were good anywhere they were, that is as
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good as their owners. Mr. Gummere also commented that
the emotional answer was In the form of a auestion -
whether it Is better for Lexinf-ton to have the center
within its borders or whether Lexington is going to
have all the disadvantages of having the center located
just across the line in another town.
Mr. Gummere was next asked about Filene's schedule
for shopping center development. He said if the Town
looked favorably on the project and rezoned the land in
March, the earliest Filene's could be ready with an
operating store would be 1962. Mr. Adams commented that
this would mean that the land after being rezoned might
lie idle for about four or five years at which time cir-
cumstances might change, Filene's might decide it would
no loner proceed wits the center and something poor
might be substituted in its place. Mr. Gummere said he
had not thought about that part of the problem or stud-
ied it at all. He said that he thought the good name
of Filene's and the amount of money the corporation would
invest In the project was guarantee enough that Filene's
was serious about its proposal and would carry it out.
Mr. Jaquitr. asked Mr. Gummere about Filene's im-
mediate plans concerning the nroposal, how much time the
Board had to consider it and whether or not he believed
'
it would have to be presented to the March Town Meeting.
Mr. Gummere replied that if the Selectmen and Planning
Board were in tavor of the proposal in principle but that
the Planning Board recommended a year be taken to work
out details and inform the citizens of the project,
Filene's would consider the recommendation. He said that
one option to purchase the land involved was Going to ex -
Aire before the Town meeting, and another ten days there-
after. He also said, however, that if he could have be-
fore the end of the vear an indication that the Planning
Board was definitely interested i.n the shopping center
Filene's would have the options on each pronerty extended
as they expired.
Speaking for the Board Mr. Jaquith said it would
let Mr. Gummere know before the end of the vear what its
preliminary thinking was about the nronosal. He said
that from the hast experience of the Board he would ad-
vise that consideration of the proposal not be rushed
and more data be made available to the Board. Mr.
Gummere said he would furnish such preliminary studies
and plans as he had available If the Board was interested
in the shopping center and later would invest additional
funds for further plans and studies if the Board decided
'
to recommend rezoning to the Town Meeting.
Messrs. Donovan and Gummere left the meeting at
9:40 p.m. after which the Board held a detailed dis-
cussion of the -proposal. Mr. Hathaway was notified ,
by telephone that the gentlemen had left and that the
Board would like him to be present for the rest of
the Planning Board meeting.
Mr. Hathaway came to the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
BOARD OF at which time there was taken under consideration the
APPEALS notices of petitions to be heard by the Board of
Appeals on December 20, 1956. It was decided to take
STOTFER no action on said petitions with the exception of
those of Theodore L. Storer and Murray Sloane. From
SLOANE notes dictated by the Board Mr. Snow was asked to
draft for the Chairman's signatures letters to the
Board of Appeals setting forth the Planning Board's
opposition to the granting of said petitions.
4:t G, IBurnells 5f,. -
Clerk
ADDF'1TDLTM
December. 11, 1956
Mr. John F. Groden '
Withington,Cross, Park 8- McCann
73 Tremont Street
Boston 8, Massachusetts
As requested at the December 3, 1956 meeting
SEABURY LAND
of the Board, Mr. Snow presented for its considera-
FOR PUBLIC
tion a letter he had written to Mr. John F. Groden,
RECPEATION
attorney for Frida Semler Seaburq, in regard to ac-
quiring the major :portion of her land between poute
128 and the Maria Hastings School for public recrea-
tional purposes. The Board approved the letter which
was signed by Mr. Snow. (See addendum.)
Considered next was the request of Constructor's
,
PEACOCK FARMS
Properties, Inc. for an informal opinion in regard to
SFC. 5
a print which had been filed with the Board of a nro-
-
posed Peacock Farms Section Five subdivision plan.
CONSTRUCTORS
After viewing the plan the Board asked Mr. Snow to in-
PROPFPTT7S
form representatives of said corporation that the pro -
INC.
posed scheme did not meet the requirements of the
Town's subdivision regulations.
There being no further business to transact at
the time, the Planning Board adjourned its meeting at
11:00 p.rm.
4:t G, IBurnells 5f,. -
Clerk
ADDF'1TDLTM
December. 11, 1956
Mr. John F. Groden '
Withington,Cross, Park 8- McCann
73 Tremont Street
Boston 8, Massachusetts
12-10-56 -�
Re: Seabury Land - Lexington
Dear John:
"eference is made to your letter of October 2 and our
conference of November 8, 1056.
I understand that you and Farold. Stevens are drawing
the deed of easement.
In regard to Parcel "C" shown on the Miller and T'ylander
plan of June 2, 1956, I find that the School and Recreation
Committees and the Plann;ng Board agree that the pro-
perty should be acquired by the Town. I suggest that the
Town acquire all of Parcel f°Ct°. If, however, Mrs. Seabury
wishes to retain some land to exchange for a similar
parcel which the rrIgor's own on the other side of Poute
I28.- it is suage-ted that the Town acquire all the land
northerly of a straight line from the stone bound ,n the
southeaster17 corner of the Seabury land to the Massa-
chusetts Highway Bound. at the southwesterly corner of
said land. If this is satisfactory, I am authorized by
the Planning Board to secure an option for the land for
playground and recreational purposes as set forth in the
vote under Article 28 of the Adjourned Town Meeting held
on March 263 1956.
As to the value of the land, I have looked into the mat-
ter to considerable extent and have the following in-
formation:
1. In keeping with Its policy in regard to future land use
in Lexington, the Plann,_ng Board has decided not to
recommend re -zoning any land in this vicinity on the
easterly side of poute 12P.
2. The land is now zoned for single family residence use.
3. There is no access to this land except across the lands
of Innes and "rigor.
4. Should access be obtained across the Innes land, what
would be left of the Innes land would be much too small
for a house lot. In addition, an extension of Roosevelt
Road into the Seabury land., to develop fully said land
for residential purposes, would necessitate exceeding
the subdivision regulations which state in part that a
dead-end street shall not be lonprer than 500 feet.
The Planning Board asked an appraiser who has been doing
' some work for the Board to examine the site and, using the
above information, determine what he considers to be a fair
value of the land. Under existing conditions he believes
X400.00 an acre to be a fair value.
If you agree with this valuej. I would like to have a plan
drawn and obtain an option for X1.00 to purchase the land
at the above rate. This should be done as soon as pos-
sible so that the Planning Board may recommend acquisition
of the land by placing an article in the Town Warrant be-
fore it closes January 2.
Sincerely yours,
Samuel P. Snow
Planning Director
SPS:mgc
enc .
cc: Harold E. Stevens
Parks & Stevens
30 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts
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