HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-07-14PLANNING BOARD MEETING
' July l4 s 1958
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning
Board was held in the Board's new office in the
basement of the Town Office Building on Monday,
July 141 1958 at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman
Grindle, Members Burnell and Jaquith, and Planning
Director Snow. Town Counsel Stevens was present
from 8:40 to 9:00 p.m.
Approved by the Board were the following
bills which had been presented for payment: Graphic
Reproductions,Ine.,white prints, $5.88, $5.88, and
$3.12,8,114..88; Terrence J. Boyle, professional ser-
vices, July 7 through July 112 1958--$100.00;
Spaulding -Moss Co., drafting and office supplies --
$20.16; James J. Carroll, poll book --$1.25; City of
Niagara Falls, zoning ordinance and map --$2.80;
Minute -man Publications,Inc.,advertising C. C. & F.
hearing--$37.0.7-
The Board also approved the action taken by
the Planning Director in signing, in the absence
' of a planning board meeting, a schedule of bills
payable to Mr. Boyle for professional services,
said schedule including a $100.00 bill for the week
of June 16 through 20, 1958, and an $80.00 bill for
the week of June 23 through July 3, 1958.
Considered next were the petitions to be
heard by the Board of Appeals on July 223 1958. It
was decided to take no action on said petitions.
Discussed by the Board and approved by the
same were drafts of letters dated July 11, 1958 to
John B. Castelli, Mr. Peter K. Pappas, and Mrs.
Helen I. Walker, all of Lowell Street, in regard
to the possible future residential development of
their properties and the Board's June 30, 1958
study of the area bounded by the Great Meadows,
Maple and Lowell Streets, and Bartlett Avenue.
(See addendum.)
At 8:05 p.m. the Planning Board held a
public hearing relative to the application of
Raymond F. Boudreau for approval of a subdivision
to be known as "Sunnyknoll Lexington, Mass." and
more particularly described as an extension of
Sunnyknoll Terrace in a northwesterly direction
for a distance of 354 feet more or less. Mr.
BILLS
BOARD OF
APPEALS
WT_D?CHESTER
DEVELOPMENT
CORP.
CASTELLI
PAPPAS
WALKER
SUNNYKNOLL
7-14-58
Boudreau and Mr. Joseph W. Moore, who prepared the plan,
were the only persons attending the hearing. The '
Chairman read the notice of the hearing as it had
been sent to all those deemed to be affected and as
had been published in the June 26, 1958 issue of the
Lexington Minute -man. He then explained the procedure
in conducting the hearing and called upon the appli-
cant to explain his plan.
Among the points discussed by Mr. Boudreau
were the intent of laying a dry sewer to be con-
nected., at a later date, to Garfield Street and
the conveyance to the Town of Lot 70 fronting ori
said street so that, as a later date also, the
Town could construct an extension of Sunnyknoll
Terrace across town -owned lots 69 and 71, as well
as Lot 70, to Garfield Street. There being no
questions by the Board,it indicated that it would
approve the plan upon the filing by Mr. Boudreau of
a performance bond in the proper form and amount.
Thereupon the hearing was declared closed at 8:10
p.m. at which time Messrs. Boudreau and Moore left
the meeting.
Considered next by the Board was the draft
SIDEWALKS of a letter, dated July 15, 1958 addressed to Mr. ,
Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, in regard
to sidewalk location and construction in subdivi-
sions approved by the Board. Mr. Snow stated that
with reference to the Planning Board's previous
request (See April 71 1958 minutes) he and Mr.
Gayer had discussed the problem on a number of
occasions and had recently approved the draft of
the letter which was signed by the Chairman. (See
addendum.)
Mr. Snow called the Board's attention to Mr.
GREAT Maloney's July 1, 1957 letter to the Planning
MEADOWS Board in regard to the Great Meadows project and
Mr. Snow's July 10, 1958 reply. (See addenda.)
This corresDondence was discussed and no further
action taken.
FORM A Mr. Stevens came to the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Thereupon, the Board took under consideration the
following Form A application for Planning Board
jurisdiction:
#58-47, submitted July 14s 1958 by Ernest
J. Corrigan; plan entitled "A Subdivision
of Land Court Case No. 27302 Land in Lex-
ington-Mass."j. Scale l" = 40', dated June
19, 1958, Miller & Nylander, C.E.Is & Sur-
veyors.
7-14-58
' With reference to the Planning Director's
July 11, 1958 letter to the Town Counsel in re-
gard to said plan, Mr. Stevens stated that he saw
no reason why the Board should determine that the
plan required approval. Thereupon, upon motion
duly made and seconded, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Board determines that the plan
accompanying Form A application #58-47
does not require approval under the Sub-
division Control Law and that said plan
be so endorsed.
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After holding a rreneral discussion of
matters currently before the Planning Board, Mr.
Stevens left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
There was then held a review of matters to
be discussed at the Planning Board's appointment
with the Selectmen. Special consideration was
given to Mr. Snow's draft of a letter, dated July
141 1958, to the Selectmen in regard to the pro-
posed location of Worthen Road from Massachusetts
Avenue to Waltham Street. The Board approved said
letter which the Chairman signed. The Board also
approved the plan to which reference was made in
said letter. (See addendum.)
At 9:30 p.m. the Board met with the Select-
men to discuss the following matters: Burnham
Farms, Section Two definitive subdivision plan
and the adjacent land the Planning Board was
recommending the Town acquire for recreation
purposes; the proposed Harrington School Recrea-
tion Area which the Board was also recommending
the Town'acquire; Cabot, Cabot and Forbes pro-
nosals for a C 3, special commercial district,
and the scheduling of a special town meeting to con-
sider said proposals; the extension of Worthen Road
from Massachusetts Avenue to Waltham Street. (See
Selectmen's minutes of i.ts July 14, 1958 meeting
for an account of the above discussion.
The Planning Board left tie Selectmen's
meeting at 10:35 p.m, at which tine the Planning
Board meeting adjourned.
Thomas S. Gri.ndle
Chairman
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WORTHEN
ROAD
SELECTMEN
7-14-58
ADDENDA
Mrs.Helen I. Walker
178 Lowell Street
Lexington 731 Mass.
Dear Mrs. Walker:
July 11, 1958
As perhaps you know the Winchester Development Corp.,
of which Mr. George J. DeVr.ies is an officer, has pur-
chased the former Hull land and an adjacent property
for the purpose of developing a residential subdivision
similar to Sun Valley. In connection with this pro-
posed development the Planning Board has made a study
of the area bounded by the Great Meadows, Maple and
Lowell Streets, and Bartlett Avenue in order that the
location of streets in the proposed subdivision connect
to adjacent lands in a way which allows these lands to
be developed properly at a later date. This study
shows a suggested way in which vour property and that
owned by Messrs. Castelli and Pappas could be subdivided
into house lots whould you wish to do so.
The Planning Board would be pleased to show you and Mr.
Walker this plan and to discuss it with you when repre-
sentatives of the Castelli and Pappas families can be
present at the same time. For this reason the Board is
sending a similar letter to Mr. Castelli and Mr. Pappas
suggesting that Mondav, July 28, 1958 at 8:30 p.m. would
be a convenient time for such a meeting in the Town En-
gineer's Room, Town Office Building. Please telephone
our Planning Director, Mr. Snow, a t the Town Offices if
you are able to be present.
Sincerely yours,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
Is/ Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
P.S. If ,you would rather come to the Planning Board
office at your convenience, I would be glad to discuss
the plan with you.
/s/ Samuel P. Snow
(Similar letters were sent to Mr. John B. Castelli, 194
Lowell Street; and Mr. Peter K. Pappas, 188 Lowell St.)
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7-1l-58
' Mr. Richard J. Gaver
Supt. of Public Works
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass.
Dear Mr. Gayer:
15 July 1958
Re: Sidewalk Location
and Construction
Subdivision Rules
and Regulations
The Planning Board has been reviewing its policy in
regard to the location and construction of sidewalks
in subdivisions as set forth under Sec. V. B. 9. of
the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. In the belief
that the Board could facilitate the administration of
this particular paragraph of said regulations, Mr. Snow
was asked to discuss and formulate with you a procedure
wherein the location of sidewalks would be shown on
definitive subdivision plans and the cost of said walks
included in the acceptance of estimates as set forth in
Sec. III. B. 4. of said regulations.
It is the Boards understanding that the following
nrocedure is the one agreed upon and is to be followed
hereafter unless the Board receives a communication
from you to the contrary.
' 1. When definitive plans have been filed with the
Superintendent of Public works for the purpose of ob-
taining from him written acceptances and approvals under
Sec. III. B. of the Subdivision Rules and Regulations,
he will notify the Planning Board of such filing in
order that the Board may indicate to him what it is
going to require in the way of sidewalks in the proposed
subdivision.
2. At the next meeting of the Board, it will decide if
any, and where, sidewalks are needed, the Planning Dir-
ector conveying said information to the Superintendent
of Public Works.
3. The subdivider will be required to show the location
of said walks on the street and profile plans in a
manner satisfactory to the Superintendent of Public Works.
4. The cost of constructing said walks will be included
in the acceptance of estimates of required work to be
done in the subdivision.
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
Isl Thomas S. Grindle,
' Chairman
7-14-58
July 1, 1958
Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman '
Lexington Planning Board
1557 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington 731 M-ssachusetts
Dear Mr. Grindle:
Our Board is seriously considering the appointment of
a committee to investigate the advisability and possi-
bility of acquiring the Great Meadows and for what
purpose.
However, before taking any definite action in this re-
gard, we would very much appreciate receiving an opinion
from the Planning Board in regards to appointment of
such a Committee.
Very truly yours,
Isl William E. Maloney
J:m Chairman, Selectmen
10 July 10,58
William E. Maloney, Chairman ,
Board of Selectmen
Lexington 73, Mass.
Dear Mr. Maloney:
Reference is made to your July 1, 1958 letter in regard
to the Selectmen appointing "a committee to investigate
the advisability and possibility of acquiring the Great
Meadows and for what purpose."
A number of members of the Planning Board, including its
chairman, are on vacation. I presume when the board
meets again on July 14 it will wish to express its view
in regard to the Great Meadows situation. In the mean-
time, however, I am taking the liberty of expressing my
own opinion in regard to the matter.
I have made substantial progress on the over all park
and recreation plan which I am preparing for Lexington.
I am now engaged, with the help of a temporary (graduate
student) assistant in completing a number of project
plans. I expect to have these, including the Great
Meadows -project, completed by September. I would appre-
ciate very much the opportunity of completing and pre-
senting these plans for the consideration of all before '
the Selectmen appoint a committee as proposed.
7-14-58
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You may be interested to know that, at my request, the
State Department of Natural Resources is reviewing these
plans. Their planning consultant In his preliminary
report had the following to say in regard to my plans:
"Frankly, I am most agreeably surprised by the
scope and nature of this proposed park system
program, as outlined to me by the Planning
Board's Director, within the size of a town
like Lexington. I know of no such town that
has even conceived in such intelligent and
farsighted terms of what I would call a com-
bination of a conservation and recreation
program - not only for the benefit of today's
population but especially for the generations
to come."
In another letter, replying to your letter of June 5,
I am setting forth the progress made in regard to the
Baskin Playground and North :street - Vine Brook Recre-
ation Area plans. In regard to the former area, I
expect to ask the Recreation Committee, Planning Board,
and Selectmen for a joint meeting in August to review
detailed plans and proposals for said playground.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Samuel P. Snow
Planning Director
Ila. July 1958
Board of Selectmen
Lexington 73, mass. Re: Worthen Road
Gentlemen:-
'.eference is made to Mr. Stevens' November 14, 1957
letter to Mr. Snow. A copy of said letter is attached.
Reference is also made to Mr. Snow's report to the
Planning Board, beginning with the last paragraph on
page 261 and continuing through the third paragraph on
page 263, as published in Lexington's 1957 Annual Report
of the Town Office. -s.
On ItiTay 26, 1058, at your request, the Planning
Board discussed with- ,ou its proposals for Worthen and
Emerson Roads and exhibited at that time on a marked
print its recommendation for the location of Worthen
' Road across the Center Playground from the intersection
of Massachusetts Avenue and Lincoln Street to Waltham
Street. A cop7 of said print is attached herewith,
7-14-58
said print being an untitled plan of the center play- ,
ground and adjacent areas, dated Feb. 7, 1945p and drawn
at a scale of 1" = loot. It has been noted, however,
that said plan is largely diagrammatic. It was decided,
therefore, to prepare a more detailed study for the
extension of Worthen Road, said study being based on
data obtained from high school, Loring Hill Estates,
and Hayden Centre property surveys.
Attached herewith is the revised study, the plan
being entitled "Proposed Location Worthen Road Mass.
Ave. to 'Waltham St.'', drawn at a scale of 1" = 100',
and dated July lO, 1G58. The revised location of
Worthen Road is drawn in red and the original location
drawn in blue, for comparative purposes, on a print of
the Hayden Centre property entitled "Plan of Land in
Lexington - Mass.", dated July 231 1956, and prepared
by Miller and Nylander, Said print is also attached.
.With reference to the revised proposed location
of Worthen Road, the following recommendations are made:
a. That there be prepared by engineers detailed plans
for the extension of Worthen Road, substantially as
shown on the July 10, 1958 plan;
b. That portions of Massachusetts Avenue and Lincoln '
Street, marked "A",."B", and "C", be abandoned;
c. That a portion of Lincoln Street, marked "D", be
relocated;
d. That, when deemed appropriate, synchronized traffic
livhts be installed at Massachusetts Avenue -
Worthen Road and Lincoln Street - Worthen Road inter-
sections, marked "E't and "F";
e. That the property numbered 2 Lincoln Street be ac-
quired from the Hayden Centre and the house tdrn down
or sold for salvage;
f. That the Town -lay out a new lot at the former loca-
tion of number 2 Lincoln Street, construct a founda-
tion for the house numbered 4 Lincoln Street, and
move said house onto the new foundation and lot, the
necessary arrangements having been previously made
with the present property owners to do the same;
g. That the Town lay out and construct Worthen Road
from the present Massachusetts Avenue - Lincoln
Street intersection to Park Drive; I
h. That the triangular parcel of land, marked "Gt', be-
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tween Hastings Park and the new locations of
' Worthen Road and Lincoln Street be added to
Hastings Park;
i. That the Town convey to Hayden Centre the triangu-
lar parcel of land, marked "H", bounded by the new
locations of 'Worthen Road and Lincoln Street, and
the present boundary of said centre property;
j. That the Town acquire from Hayden Centre the tri-
angular parcels of land in the northeasterly corner
of the present Hayden parcels 1 and 2, said tri-
angular parcels being marked "I" and "K";
k. That the Town retain the northeasterly end of the
triangular parcel of land, marked "J", which it now
owns between Hayden Centre parcels 1 and 2;
1. That the Town convey to the Hayden Centre a small
parcel of land, marked "L", southeasterly of said
centre land to balance the exchange of land between
the Hayden Centre and the Town.
LEXTNGTON PLANNING BOARD
' /s/ Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
cc:uarold E. Stevens
Town Counsel of Lexin7ton
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