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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. 1 u 1 C 11-3- 58 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. -2- 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 11-3-58 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. [l 1 1 1 1 11-3-58 Dear Mr. Carroll: -3- 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 11-3-58 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 1 LI F 11-3-58 -4- 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 11-3-58 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 F