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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-08-18PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' August 18, 1958 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Planning Board Office, Town Office Building, on Monday* August 18, 1958 at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman Grindles Members Abbott, Burnell, Jaquith and Soules Messrs. Boyle and Snow of the planning staffs and the secretary. The Board approved the following bills which had been presented for payment- Spaulding -Moss Co.s BILLS drafting materials --$2.80 and $1.50; Philip and Lawrence Burt, stenographic services -485.50; Allen Stationery Co.* office chairs -436.60; Terrence J. Boyles professional services, August 11 through August 15--$100.00; Graphic Reproductions, Ines white prints --$1.30 and $1.30; Frederick A. Peterson & Sons installation of map boards and building of bookcases -425.78; Lexington Planning Board, petty cash --$15.00. The Board approved also the action taken by the Planning Director in signing a schedule for pay- ' went of Terrence J. Boyle's $100.00 bill Por profes- sional services from August 4 through August 8s 1958• Taken under consideration next were the fol. lowing Form A applications for determination of Plan FORMS A ning Board jurisdiction: #58-56s submitted on August 8, 1958 by John Carroll for the Town of Lexington; plan en- titled "Plan of Drain Easement on Northerly Parts of Lots 1 & 2 Winter Street Lexington Mass,"s Scale: 1" = 40's dated July 21, 1958s Richard J. Gayers Tom Engineer. #58-57s submitted on August 8, 1958 by John J. Carroll for the Town of Lexin gton;,plan entitled "Plan of Sewer Easement from Marrett Road through private lands to Kendall Road Lexington Mass."s Scale: 1" = 40's dated April 14, 1958. Richard J. Gayer, Town Eng— ineer. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: that the Board determines that the lans accompanying Form A applications #58-56 and #58-57 do not require approval under the Sub- With reference to a previous'discussion of the Trustts proposal (see minutes of June 23, 1958 Plan- ning Board meeting), Mr. Tropeano stated that at the present time all building within the' proposed district would be strictly for residential apartments. He said that no hotel or motel was involved although the trust might consider the erection of a hotel at a later data, He also said that land had been reserved by , the Trust for the future widening of Waltham Street and the continuation of Worthen Road. In regard to the latter point, Mr. Snow noted that the description for the proposed district men- tioned the proposed location of Worthen Road. He said that he had located said road only on a study basis, said study having to be presented to the Planning Board and Selectmen for consideration and acceptance. He pointed out that bearings and distances for said road could only be established after a detailed survey was made and plans prepared by engineers. Mr. Snow sug- gested that any mention of Worthen Road be deleted from the description of the proposed districtand its boundaries be given further consideration., There appeared to be a general agreement that the boundaries of said district needed more study. September 9, 1958 at 8:QO p.m. was tentatively set for a public hearing to be held on the petition. Thereupon, Mr. Tropeano left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The Board then estimated the cost of advertising the hearing, mailing notices, and secretarial services deciding that the Trust should be charged $35.00 for its application fee. Mr. Snow was asked to eD notify I Mr. Tropeano. With reference to the Town Counsel's August 8, division Control Law and that said plans be so endorsed. ' The Board's attention was called to a peti- R 1 to A 1 tion for a public hearing relative to the Vine REZONING Brook Realty Trust proposal to amend the zoning PROPOSAL by-law by adding a new paragraph to Sec. 4 (g) A 1, - Garden apartments and hotel districts, said peti- VINE BROOK tion having been filed on August 15, 1958 and having REALTY been certified by the Town Clerk as having been TRUST sign ed by 111 of Lexington's registered voters. At 7:55 p.m. Mr. Alfred P. Tropeano met with the Board to discuss said petition and to file a proposed article for the warrant for a special town meeting scheduled for September 15a 1958. Both said petition and article described the.parcel of the Vine Brook Realty Trust land for which rezoning was being sought. With reference to a previous'discussion of the Trustts proposal (see minutes of June 23, 1958 Plan- ning Board meeting), Mr. Tropeano stated that at the present time all building within the' proposed district would be strictly for residential apartments. He said that no hotel or motel was involved although the trust might consider the erection of a hotel at a later data, He also said that land had been reserved by , the Trust for the future widening of Waltham Street and the continuation of Worthen Road. In regard to the latter point, Mr. Snow noted that the description for the proposed district men- tioned the proposed location of Worthen Road. He said that he had located said road only on a study basis, said study having to be presented to the Planning Board and Selectmen for consideration and acceptance. He pointed out that bearings and distances for said road could only be established after a detailed survey was made and plans prepared by engineers. Mr. Snow sug- gested that any mention of Worthen Road be deleted from the description of the proposed districtand its boundaries be given further consideration., There appeared to be a general agreement that the boundaries of said district needed more study. September 9, 1958 at 8:QO p.m. was tentatively set for a public hearing to be held on the petition. Thereupon, Mr. Tropeano left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The Board then estimated the cost of advertising the hearing, mailing notices, and secretarial services deciding that the Trust should be charged $35.00 for its application fee. Mr. Snow was asked to eD notify I Mr. Tropeano. With reference to the Town Counsel's August 8, 8- 18-58 r ' 1958 letter to the Planning Directors the Board gave further consideration to Mr. Frederic S. Johnson's rezoning petition. (See minutes of Planning Board's June 30* 1958 meeting.) Mr. Snow reported that Mr. Johnson had paid the application fee which had been determined by the Board. September 4s 1958 at 8:30 p.m. was set tentatively for a public hearing on said petition. 8:00 p.m. on the same date was re- served for the hearing on the proposed professional office amendment to the Zoning By-law. 1 1 ..2w Mr. Snow reported that he had discussed with the Town Counsel various matters in regard to the Board's approval of Raymond F. Boudreau's subdivi- sion plan entitled "Sunnyknoll Lexington* Mass." Mr. Snow said that as a result of this discussion he had prepared the plan for endorsement and an accom- panying letter of transmittal for the Board's consid- eration. The Board endorsed said plan with -the notation thereon, "Parcel A does not comply with the minimum requirements of the Lexington Zoning By- law." In view of the fact that the Town Counsel was on vacations it was decided that in this case only the subdivider be permitted to record in the Registry of Deeds the definitive Alan endorsed by the Board. The Board then approved said letter which was signed by the Chairman. (See addendum.) At 8:50 p.m. Chairman Donald E. Nickerson of the Board of Appeals met with the Planning Board to discuss an anticipated request from Mr. Anthony R. Cataldo for a variance to use the Lexington railroad station for banking purposes. Mr. Nickerson said that it was the Board of Appeals' opinion that a change in zone should be sought rather than said, variance from the Board of Appeals. Members of the Planning Board stated that before making any deci- sion in regard to the matter, more information was needed particularly in regard to how much land was involved. Mr. Nickerson agreed to obtain this in- formation. There was then discussed with Mr. Nickerson the problem of special office buildings in a single family residential district* particularly the pro- posal that professional offices should be limited to use by a person residing in the dwelling and that buildings should not be converted wholly to office use. Mr. Nickerson concurred in, the opinion that an amendment .to the zoning by-law setting forth the above considerations should be proposed. Thereupon* he left the meeting at 9:10 p.m. JOHNSON REZONING PETITION SUNNYSNOLL R1toC2 REZONING PROPOSAL CATALDO PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT PROFES- SIONAL OFFICES With reference to Mr. Snow's June 30s 1958 PROPOSED memorandum setting forth his recommendations for a NORTH ST.- proposed North Street -Vine Brook recreation areas VINE BROOK the Planning Board held a special field meeting on RECREATION August 5s 1958 to view the site. The Board discussed. AREA said memorandum in details particularly the possible aequisition from the guardian of-the.Reginald W. Ellis estate lots 3 through 8. Mr, Jaquith reported that Lot 8 was under agreement to be sold to Mark Moores Jr. but that if arrangements could be made, said guardian would be willing to sell said lot to the Town for the same price. It was decided that Lot 8'should be acquired along with the others named if it could be purchased for a reasonable amount. Mr. Jaquith was authorized to obtain an option on this basis. Considered next was Moore Realty `Tru at's BURNHAM application for approval of the Burnham Farms -Sec - FARMS tion Two definitive subdivision plan submitted on SDC. 2 July 14s 1958. It was reported that a change had - to be made in_ the restrictive agreement executed by MOORE Mr. Moore on August lis 1958 (see 'minutes of June 23, REALTY 1958 Planning'Board meeting), and that Mr. Stevens TRUST was taking care of the matter, All other matters appearing to be in orders upon motion duly made and ' seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: That the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Burnham Farms Section Two Lexington -Mass.", dated April to 1958 which was submitted to the Board by Moore Realty Trust on July 14.s 1958s accompanied by an application for appproval of definitive plans Form Cs dated May Rs 1958, be and hereby is approved subject to the pro- visions of a restrictive agreement to be executed by the trustee of said trust and the mortgagee of the lands involved in said sub- division prior to the endorsement of said plan by the Planning Board. The Board also considered Moore Realty Trustts BURS application -for tentative approval of the Burnham FARMS Farms Section Three preliminary subdivision plan. SEC, 3 Mr. Snow pointed out that an area through. lot 40 on - said plan should be included in the proposed Vine MOORE Brook -North Street Recreation Area. He was asked to REALTY study said subdivision plan with the view of making TRUST recommendations in regard to the same. Mr. Jaquith reported on the conference he and ' Mr. Grindle had with Mr. Kendrick in regard to an 8-18-58 -3- agreement whereby an option could be obtained frau Mr. Kendrick for the purchase of a portion of his land for the extension of Emerson Road from the Burnham Farms development to East Street. Mr. Jaquith stated that Mr. Kendrick indicated his will- ingness for Lexington to acquire said portion de- sired between September l and.October 30, 1960, that he wished to continue to farm the land involved for two more years, and that he did not wish to reserve the right afterwards to draw water from Vine Brook. Mr. Jaquith said that Mrs Kendrick was interested in possible street and water betterment assessments, these being estimated from a minimum of $1350 to a maximum of $1725. Discussing the matter further the Board be- lieved it would be preferstble to purchase the land on a straight price basis rather than trying to re- duce the cost of land by eliminating betterment assessments. It was thought that on this basis no question could arise as to when Emerson Road was to be constructed from Burnham Farms to East Street. $3500 was considered to be a fair purchase price. Mr. Jaquith was asked to discuss the matter further with the Town Counsel and authorized to obtain an ' option from Mr. Kendrick. With reference to Pond Realty Trust's pro- posal to develop the former Magnuson land (see minutes of June 23, 1958 Planning Board meeting), there was discussed a study Mr. Boyle made under Mr. Snow's direction, said study being entitled "Pro- posed Location Worthen Road Mass.Ave. to Route 128"0 dated Aug. 5, 1958. Mr. Snow pointed out that while changes in the proposal would probable need to be made at a later date, the location of the extension of Worthen Read from Hill Street to the Pine Meadows golf course was sufficiently well determined to make a detailed study of this section of the road in re- lation to lands of the Pond Realty Trust, Ernest E. MacPhee and the Lexington Goll' Club. The plan show- ing this relationship was discussed and approved by the Board, said plan being entitled "Proposed Resi- dential Subdivision from Garfield St. to Vaille Ave.", dated Aug. 10,_1958. Mr. Snow was authorized to give and to discuss with representatives of Pond Realty Trust part of a print of said plan as it related to said Trust's land. . Considered next by the Board was the Lexing- ' ton Development Co.'s application fort entative approval of the Lowell Estates preliminary subdivi- sion plan. (See minutes of July 21, 1958 meeting.) EMERSON ROAD STREET OPTION POND REALTY TRUST Said plan and Planning Board studies in connection , LOWELL thereof were reviewed by the Board. Thereupon* upon ESTATES motion duly made and seconded.. it was unanimously LEXINGTON VOTED: that the preliminary plan entitled "Lowell DEVELOP- Estates Lexington, Mass."a dated April 15* MENT CO. 1957a which was submitted to the Board by the Lexington Development Co. on July 21s 1958s be and hereby is disapproved for the reason that said plan does not make adequate provi— sion for the rovision,for-the development of :the adjacent lands in accordance with the study plan entitled "Sug- gested Subdivision of DeVries and Adjacent Lands in Lexington, Massachusetts*" dated June 30* 1958a prepared by Samuel P. Snow* Planning Director, and adopted by the Board on June 30s 1958. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 pm. hard H. Soule* , . Clerk Addendum August 18a 1958 Mr. Raymond F. Boudreau, 79 Lowell Street, Lexington 73s Mass. Re- Sunnykn.o ll. Dear Mr. Boudreau: Attached herewith please find a set of original.tracings of your definitive subdivision plan entitled "Sunnyknoll Lexington, Mass.", said plan being dated June 9p 19581 approved by the Planning Board on July 211 1958* and en- dorsed by said Board on August 18s.1958. It is understood that Mr.Stevens* 9bwn Counsel of Lexing- ton, has discussed with your attorney* Mr. Hoffman, matters in regard to the granting of the necessary easements in this subdivision and a deed to the town of lot 70. Understand- ing that said matters will be taken care of when Mr. Stevens returns from his vacation next week, the Planning Board has endorsed the plan before obtaining said grant and deed.. Instead of having the Town Counsel record for the Board your definitive plan* as set forth in paragraph 7 of your 8-18-58 ' application for approval of said plan, the Board is allowing ,you to record the plan yourself. Please see that both sheets of the plan are recorded and notify both W. Stevens and the Planning Board office of the date of recording and the plan number assigned by the Registry. Upon receipt of this in- formation the Planning Board will file the duplicate copies of said plan in the Town Engineer's office and notify the Building Inspector that it will be in order to issue building permits for lots 1 through 4. Very truly yours, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman 1