Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-07-15I PLANNING BOARD MEETING July 15, 1957 A regular meeting of the Planning Board was held in the Town Engineer's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, July 15, 1957 at 7:45 p.m. Present were Chair- man Grindle, Members Abbott, Burnell and Soule, and Planning Director Snow. Town Counsel Stevens was present from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m. The Board approved Bruce E. Howlett's bill for BILL rofessional services for week ending July 12, 1957-- 107.50. At 8:10 p.m. the Board held a public hearing PEACOCK on the application of Edward Green and H.S.B.White for FARMS approval of the definitive subdivision plan entitled SEC. 5 "Peacock Farms Section Five Lexington, Mass." dated June 11, 1957, submitted on June 24, 1957• Fifteen HEARING persons attended the hearing. Chairman Grindle opened the hearing by reading the notice of the same as it was mailed to all property owners abutting the proposed subdivision and as it was advertised in the June 27 issue of the Lexington Minute -man. He then ' explained the procedure to be followed in conducting the hearing and called upon one of the applicants to present his plan. Mr. H.S.B.White of Newton stated that in addi- tion to a proposed short dead-end street, Compton Circle, Section Five of the Peacock Farms development extended Peacock Farms Road from its present terminus to Baker Avenue on a location and at grades approved by the Town Engineer and, he understood, acceptable to the Planning Board thereby enabling the development to have a second recognized means of egress.He pointed nut that lots 59, 60 and 61, and possibly one other lot, could be connected to an existing town sewer in Baker Avenue. Speaking for a number of those attanding the hear- ing, Mrs. Marion Heighton of 62 Chase Avenue objected to Peacock Farm Road connecting with the end of Baker Avenue, stating that it was their opinion that Baker Avenue would become a through street for those wishing to drive to Route 2 from Massachusetts Avenue. It was pointed out that the Board required a second means of access to the Peacock Farms development and that this ' proposed connection was made in compliance with this requirement. Mrs. Arthur Beaudreau'of 84 Baker Avenue wished to know why Peacock Farm Road did not connect with some , other street other than Baker Avenue, suggesting Carville Avenue as a possible connection. In reply it was stated that Baker Avenue was the only street to which Peacock Farm Road could be connected and at the same time be at a grade which would meet the requirements of Lexington's subdivision rules and regulations. It was also stated that there was no way to connect Peacock Farm Road with Carville Avenue without purchasing or taking by eminent domain land and newly constructed houses on Trotting Horse Drive. Mr. Mark Field of 4.0 Peacock Farm Road inquired it traffic over said road could be restricted. It was stated that the Planning Board had no jurisdiction over traffic. Mr. Norman Hayes of $O Baker Avenue pointed out that Baker Avenue was unaccepted from Butler Avenue to the Peacock Farms development, this being approximately 124 feet. He questioned the right of people, other than the people owning the last two lots on either side of Baker Avenue, to use that section of said way. Mr. Paul Segally of 4.0 Peacock Farm Road asked if, in the near future, Parcel A was to be laid out as a road as he would like to construct a driveway to this street rather than Peacock Farm Road. In reply it was noted that said parcel was privately -owned land reserved for future use as a way to connect with the property to the southeast but that the Board had no knowledge of any proposals for such a connection. COMPLETION The Board next discussed with Mr. Stevens what action , OF WORK IN it should take in regard to the subdivision improvements SUBDIVISIONS which had not been completed within the time agreed upon in the applications for definitive approval. It was de- There being no further questions the Chairman asked for an expression .of opinion of those in favor of:approv- ing the application and those opposed. Two people indi- cated they were in favor of approval, six opposed there- upon the Chairman declared the hearing closed at 4:35 p.m. SUMMER The Board considered the matter of a schedule for SCHEDULE the remainder of the summer and it was decided to meet on July 22:-A and tQ, thereafter meet the same nights that the Selectmen held their meetings during the summer; namely, August 5 and August 19, 1957. BURNHAM The Board approved an application for definitive FARMS approval of the subdivision plan for Burnham Farms Sec - SEC. 1 tion 1. It was decided to hold a public hearing on said application on August 5, 1957 at 8:00 p.m. COMPLETION The Board next discussed with Mr. Stevens what action , OF WORK IN it should take in regard to the subdivision improvements SUBDIVISIONS which had not been completed within the time agreed upon in the applications for definitive approval. It was de- ' cided that from the list of uncompleted work in subdi- visions Mr. Snow would select every other week that development which had been incomplete the longest and prepare a detailed statement concerning the status of said development whereby the Board could take such action as seemed appropriate in each case. Mr. Stevens left the meeting at 9:30 p.m. after discussing with the Board the procedure to be followed in acquiring land for town recreation purposes. With specific reference to the Shannon land on North Street, commonly referred to as the North Street gravel pit, Mr. Snow reported that Dr. Shannon had come to the Planning Board office that afternoon to learn if the Board had progressed any further in de- termining whether or not the town should acquire said land for recreation purposes. Dr. Shannon stated that he had a prospective buyer who wished to make a deposit on the purchase of the land. In discussing the value of the land Mr. Snow stated that an appraiser had examined the site and had stated that, in his opinion, the land, not including the area in ponds, was worth about $500 per acre but that the Board might have to compromise somewhat on this figure. It was pointed out that there are two possible house sites fronting on North Street even though it would take a considerable amount of fill to make them usable. Mr. Snow then explained how the land could be developed for recreation use in connection with the Vine Brook easement. The Board decided to recommend that the land be acquired by the town and that Chairman Grindle arrange with Dr. Shannon to meet with the Board to discuss the matter further. After discussing in general other matters to be considered further by the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. �_4 f... Levi G. Burnell Jr. Clerk 1 SHANNON LAND FOR RECREATION PURPOSES