HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-11-03PLANNING BOARD MEETING
November 3, 1958
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning
Board was held in the Planning Board Office, Town
Office Building, on Monday, November 3, 1958 at 7:30
p.m. Present were Chairman Grindle, Members Abbott,
Burnell, Jaquith, and Soule, and Planning Director
Snow. Town Counsel Stevens was present from 8:00 to
8:40 p.m.
The minutes of the June 16, October 20 and 27, MINUTES
1958 Planning Board meetings were approved.
Approved also were the following bills which
had been presented for payment: Lexington Lumber BILLS
Co.,Inc., lumber for shelves --$44.77; Foto Beam,
Inc., drafting supplies -41.35; Terrence J. Boyle,
professional services, October 27 through October
31, 1958--$25.00.
Taken under consideration were the following
Form A applications for determination of Planning FORMS A
Board jurisdiction:
#58-70, submitted November 39 1958 by H.S.B.
White for Benjamin Franklin Homes,Inc.; plan
entitled "Plan of Revised Lots Battle View
Park -Section Two in Lexington, Mass.", scale:
1" = 40', Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Sur-
veyors.-
#58-71, submitted November 31 1958 by James
F. Corr; plan entitled "Plan of Lots in Lex-
ington, Mass.", scale: 1" = 40', Miller &
N71ander, C.E.'s & Surveyors.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was
unanimously
VOTED: that the Board determines that the plans
accompanying Form A applications #58-70 and
#58-71 do not require approval and that the
Board sign the plans bearing the endorsement
"Lexington Planning Board approval under the
Subdivision Control Law not required."
Mr. Stevens came to the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
The Chairman stated that some members of the
Planning Board had discussed informally with Mr.
11-3-58
JOHNSON
Frederick K. Johnson his proposed amendment to the
R 1 to C 2
Zoning By-law (see minutes of September 8, 1958
REZONING
Planning Board meeting), said amendment in the form
PETITION
of Article 6 having been indefinitely postponed at
the Special Town Meeting held on September 15, 1958.
Mr. Grindle stated that the suggestion was made that
instead of zoning any additional land for general
business use on the southeasterly side of the present
A & P store it might be possible to lay out a road
adjacent to the store lot and extending from Bedford
Street to the railroad right of way. Before the
Board as a whole discussed this matter with Mr. John-
son, the Town Counsel was asked for any views on the
suggestion he might wish to make from a legal stand-
point. Mr. Stevens stated that the Selectmen could
determine that public convenience and necessity re-
quired the laying out of a road. He pointed out,
however, that in making such a determination the
Selectmen would have to find some legitimate end
which would be served in laying out a road and de-
termine what benefit such a road would be to the
public.
There was next held with Mr. Stevens a dis-
cussion of Chapters 206 and 377 of the Acts of 1958
in regard to specific functions and duties of various
town boards in administering the amended subdivision
control law as set forth in said chapters.
Mr. Stevens left the meeting at 8:40 p.m. At
the same time Messrs. Leeland G. McConchie and Wilbur
C. Nylander came to the meeting.
Mr. McConchie presented a sketch plan pre -
BATTLE
pared by Mr. Nylander showing a proposed modification
GREEN
of the Battle Green Village preliminary subdivision
VILLAGE
plan previously approved by the Planning Board. (See
SEC. 3
minutes of May 20, 1957 meeting.) Mr. McConchie
pointed out that he intended to purchase the Newgent
land, the extent of which was less than shown on said
preliminary plan. He further stated that he wished
to develop the Newgent land by extending Oxbow Road
in a northerly direction parallel to Route 128 and
relocating the end of Constitution Road so that it
turned westerly and intersected Oxbow Road at approxi-
mately right angles. Mr. McConchie asked the Board's
informal opinion of the proposal which involved a
sewer system with a pumping station and force main to
connect to a town trunk line sewer passing through the
Battle Green Village, See. 2 subdivision. Since Mr.
McConchiets proposal was incomplete and drawn only on
tracing paper, Mr. Nylander was asked for a more Com-
plete plan showing contours for the Boardâ–ºs further
consideration.
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Messrs. McConchie and Nylander left the meet-
ing at 8:55 p.m. at which time the Board discussed
the proposal further. Because it included, as noted
above, a sewer system which the Town might eventually
have to maintain, the Board decided it would take no
action on the proposal until it was discussed with
the Selectmen.
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The Chairman reported that of the Board's can-
didates for the Recreation Committee, Mr. Paul Hanson
of 70 Hill Street had agreed to serve. Thereupon,
upon motion made and duly seconded, it was unanimously
VOTED: that under authority of Article XXX of the
General By-laws Paul Hanson be and hereby is
appointed by the Lexington Planning Board a
member of the Recreation Committee to serve
the unexpired term of Fred D. Wells, de-
ceased, said term expiring on April 30, 1959.
Mr. Snow was asked to draft for the Chair-
man's signature letters to Mr. Hanson, the Town
Clerk, and other Town officials and agencies notify-
ing them of the Planning Board's action. (See
addenda.)
As previously requested (see minutes of Oct.
20s 1958 Planning Board Meeting), Mr. Snow pre-
sented for the Board's consideration final plans
and drafts to accompany letters to the Selectmen
recommending the acquisition of land for street
locations at the proposed Worthen Road -Waltham
Street. The letters were approved for the Chair-
man's signature. (See addenda.)
As requested at the Board's previous meet-
ing Mr. Snow also presented for consideration
drafts of letters In regard to the Connelly & Stone
and Reiss petitions to be heard by the Board of
Appeals. These letters were ap roved for the Chair-
man's signature. (See addenda.
RECREATION
COMMITTEE
WORTHEN
ROAD
WALTHAM
STREET
BOARD OF
APPEALS
Mr. Snow gave a report of his work with the
Boston National Historic Sites Commission and showed NATIONAL
the Board the typed manuscript and accompanying maps HISTORIC
of the Commission's Interim Report recommending the PARK
establishment of a National Historic Park to pre-
serve and restore the remaining segment of the Battle
Road of April 19, 1775. Mr. Snow stated that the
report, dated June 16, 10,58, was now complete and was
being sent to Washington for printing and distribution.
He said that it was his understanding that the bill
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establishing said park was to be introduced into both
houses of the Congress in January, 1959. Mr. Snow
then discussed the report and his recommendations in
regard to the Lexington Master Plan as related to the
Commission's proposal.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
R chard H. Soule
Clerk
Q@0:30111fl
Mr.Paul Hanson
70 Hill Street,
Lexington 731 Mass.
Dear Mr. Hanson:
November 6,1958
The Planning Board is pleased to inform you that at
its regular meeting on No#ember 3, 1958 it was
unanimously voted under authority of Article XXX of
the General By-laws to appoint you a member of the
Recreation Committee to serve the unexpired term of
Fred D. Wells, deceased, said term expiring on April
30, 1959.
Enclosed herewith is a copy of the General By-laws
setting forth the powers and duties of the Recreation
Committee.
Sincerely yours,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
(s) Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
November 6, 1958
Mr. James J. Carroll
Town Clerk
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass.
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11-3-58
Dear Mr. Carroll:
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As authorized under Article 30 of the General By-laws,
the Planning Board at its regular meeting on November
3, 1958, appointed Mr. Paul Hanson of 70 Hill Street
as a member of the Recreation Committee to fill the un -
expired term of Fred D. Wells, deceased.
Yours very truly,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
cc: Board of Selectmen
Recreation Committee
School Committee
Moderator
Board of Selectmen,
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass.
Gentlemen:
(S) Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman
November 4s 1958
Re: Worthen Road
Reference is made to the Planning Boardts meeting with
you on October 20, 1958 at which time there was dis-
cussed the planning staffs studies for the Worthen
Road -Waltham Street intersection and the extension of
Worthen Road from Waltham Street to Marrett Road.
Attached herewith is a marked print of a plan entitled
'Proposed Re -alignment of Worthen Road AdAacent to the
Northwesterly Sideline of Waltham Street, said plan
being dated October 30, 1058 and drawn by Mr. Snow,
Planning Director. With reference to said plan the
Planning Board makes the following recommendations to
the Selectmen:
1. That the Town acquire Parcel A shown on said print
for the purpose of re -aligning Worthen Road, the
Planning Board obtaining from the owners of said
parcel an option to purchase the necessary land;
2. That the town acquire Parcel B in exchange for
Parcel C, the Planning Board likewise obtaining an
option for such an exchange.
VOTE: It is understood that if the Town takes favorable
action on the Planning Boards second recommendation
under Section 8 (g) 1 of the Zoning By-law the area of
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Lot B will be increased approximately 1040 square feet and
the frontage on Waltham Street by about 16 feet.
Board of Selectmen
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Sincerely yourss
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
(s) Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
November 5, 1958
Re: Waltham Street
With further reference to the Planning Board's meeting with
you on October 20, 1958, attached herewith is a marked
print of a plan entitled "Pro Pt Widening of Waltham Street
at Worthen Road Intersection, said plan being dated October
311 1958 and drawn by Mr. Snow, Planning Director.
The Planning Board recommends that the Selectmen request the
County Commissioners to lay out a section of Waltham Street as
shown on the attached plan, the Planning Board obtaining from
Vine Brook Realty Trust an option to acquire Parcel A. It is
understood from conferences with Mr. Reenstierna, trustee of
said trust, that he will convey to the Town for $1.00 the land
necessary for said recommended widening.
The foregoing recommendation is based on the Board's major
street plan and traffic studies which indicate that upon com-
pletion of the proposed Waltham Street -Route 2 interchange
there will be a substantial increase in the number of motor-
ists traveling northward on Waltham Street and desiring to
make a left turn onto Worthen Road. A subsequent memorandum
will contain specific recommendations for the design of the
intersection. At this time, however, the Planning Board
desires that steps be taken for the widening to provide
space for the construction of said intersection and for an
extra storage lane for traffic desiring to make said left
turn.
Sincerely yours,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
(s) Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
cc: Vine Brook Realty Trust
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November 4, 1958
' Board of Appeals
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass. Re: Petition of
Connelly _& Livingstone
Permission to erect
post and sign
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board at its regular meeting on October 27,
1958 discussed the petition referred to above, decided
to go on record as being opposed to the granting of said
petition, and to write a letter to the Board of Appeals
setting forth reasons for such opposition.
In the Planning Board's opinion the exact location of
the proposed post and sign in relation to the highway is
not clear. It appears to the Board that the post and
sign may overhang the right-of-way where it is understood
a sidewalk is to be constructed. In this location the
sign would interfere with pedestrians using the sidewalk
and also partially obstruct the view of motorists approach-
ing the Spring Street-Marrett Road intersection from a
westerly direction. It appears also that the sign would
partially obstruct a view of easterly bound Marrett Road
traffic as it should be seen by motorists entering the
intersection from Spring Street.
It is the Planning Board's opinion that the existing
letters painted on the building and the doctor's lamp
post sign attached to the fence are of fine quality and
are particularly fitting for a local business district.
It appears that the signs give adequate public notice of
the firm and professional office occupying the building
numbered 428 Marrett Road and that no additional adver-
tising is necessary.
Sincerely yours,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
(s) Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman
November 3, 1958
Board of Appeals
Town Office Building
Lexincton 73 Mass. Re: Petition of Ernest Reiss
Variance to erect warehouse
and conduct warehousing in
Gentlemen: an M 1 district
The Planning Board at its regular meeting held on October
271 1958 discussed the petition set forth above, decided
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to go on record as being opposed to the granting of said I petition, and to write a letter to the Board of Appeals
setting forth the reasons for said opposition.
After a detailed study of zoning ordinances and by-laws
the Planning Board recommended in 1956 that the Lexington
Zoning By-law be amended by creating C 3 -Special commer-
cial districts, by allowing C 3 use in M 1 -Light manufac-
turing districts, and by eliminating from the latter dis-
tricts such incompatible uses as oil storage, the sale of
lumber and other structural materials, etc. These recom-
mendations
ecommendations were made with the idea of creating an M 1
district that would be more attractive for office build-
ings, research laboratories, and the like, and increasing
the value of the lands in said district for such purposes.
The Town adopted the Board's recommendations at Special
Town Meetings held on November 19, 1956 and September 151
1958.
The Planning Board is of the opinion that if development
of the type proposed in the Reiss petition is permitted,
a variance fors aid development will not b e compatible
with the type of uses which the Town has indicated is de-
sired by the adoption of the amendments for light manu-
facturing districts.
Sincerely yours, ,
LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
(s) Thomas S. Grindle,
Chairman
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