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.
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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,
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1958 Planning'Board meeting), and that Mr. Stevens
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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
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study said subdivision plan with the view of making
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recommendations in regard to the same.
Mr. Jaquith reported on the conference he and
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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
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