HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-12-08 PLANNING BOARD MEETING
December 8, 1958
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning
Board was held in the office of the Board, Town
office Building, on Monday, December 8, 1958 at
7-45 p .m. Present were Vice Chairman Jaquith,
%embers Abbott and Burnell, and Planning Director
Snow. Town Counsel Stevens was present from 8:25
to 9.00 p m
The Board approved the follow ng bills which
had been presented for payment Terrence J. Boyle, BILLS
professional services, November 17 through 22, 1958--
%5 00, and from November 22 through 29, 1958--1t7.50,
Samuel P Snow, November car allowance-420.00
Considered next by the Board were the fol-
lowing Form A applications for determination of FORMS A
Planning Board jurisdiction
#58-74, submitted November 26, 1458 by
Alfred P Tropeano, attorney for Bessie
Baker; clan entitled "A Subdivision of L.C .C.
' #12675 in Lexington, Mass . ", Scale : 1" = 20' ,
dated Oct. 9, 1058, Miller & Nylander, C .E. ' s
& Surveyors
#58-75, submitted November 26, 1958 by Alfred
P. Tropeano, attorney for R. Lockwood Tower;
plan entitled "Plan Showing Sewer Easement
Land in Lexington, Mass ", Scale 1" = 40' ,
dated Nov 14, 1058, Miller & Nylander,
C E 's ? Surveyors .
#58-76, submitted December 8, 1958 by Joseph
W. Moore, agent for Alice McDevitt et al;
plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington,
Mass . owned by Alice McDevitt et al, " Scale :
1" = 60 ' , dated December 1, 1958, Joseph W.
Moore, Peg. Land Surveyor, Bedford.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was
unanimously
VOTED- That the Board determines that the plans
accompanying Form A applications #58-74,
#58-75, and #58-76 do not require approval
under the Subdivision Control Law, and that
the plans be so endorsed.
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Distributed to the members of the Board were
HISTORIC copies of the Middlesex Superior Court decision
DISTRICTS issued December 3, 1058 in regard to the Hancock
Congregational Church vs. Davis , et al, cases in
equity #20605 and #2090 . The Board discussed
various aspects of the decision. Mr. Stevens came
to the meeting- A entered into the discussion.
It was decided to give the matter further consider-
ation.
Mr Stevens left the meeting at 9:00 p.m. at
which time Messrs . Vincent Ippilito, 16 Alexander
Avenue, Medford; Philip Longo of Waltham, Charles
H. Cole II, architect, of Lexington; and Mr. Harry
G. Berglund of Lexington met with the Board
Mr. Ippilito stated that he, Mr. Longo and
A 1 Mr. Paul Tocci of Watertown were interested in
DISTRICT making an investment in a group of apartment
REZONING buildinxs, would like to construct said group on
PROPOSAL land fronting on Maple Street, and would like to
have land rezoned for this purpose. He said that
the area of land his group had in mind was about
ten acres in area and was bounded by Maple Street,
the proposed location of Emerson Road, the former
Hull property, and land of the Town of Arlington.
He stated further that it was the intention of his
group to acquire title to the general area described
through the organization of a corporation to own and
manage the property. Mr. Ippolito said that the
land which was being requested to be rezoned was
comprised of parcels owned by Mr. Tocci, Mr. Chap-
man of 57 Maple St . , and Lexwood Poultry Farms,Inc .
He further stated that he, Mr. Longo and Mr. Tocci
had an option to acquire all the land of Chapman
and the Lexwood Poultry Farms, intending to develop
most of the latter land into a single family resi-
dential subdivision
Mr. Cole, architect for the project, explained
the nreliminary site nlan and accompanying drawings
of the proposed apartment buildings, the latter plans
being dated October 28, l058, and revised November
19, 1958. These plans were filed with the Board. He
pointed out that the site plan was based on the
BoardTs June 30, 1958 plan entitled "Suggested Sub-
' division of DeVries and Adjacent Lands in Lexington,
Massachusetts. " He likewise pointed out that the
buildings would look like the Gardencrest apartments
on Lyman Street in Waltham, he being the senior de-
signer of that project when it was planned by Thomas
Worcester, Inc . in 1918 .
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In discussing the proposal further it was
stated that the developers would construct the
proposed section of Emerson Road, building single
family houses fronting on the northeasterly side
of the road and the apartment buildings on the
southwesterly* side as well as constructing the
private road extending along the southwesterly
boundary of the proposed A 1 district . It was
noted that the private road would give access to
parking areas in the rear of the apartment build-
ings, and together with said road provide space
for approximately 150 automobiles In addition
it was pointed out that the whole layout would be
such as to create a park-like setting for the
buildings, play areas being conveniently located
to all apartment units .
In summarizing the proposal Mr.Cole stated
that it was proposed to finance the project on the
F H A. mortgage basis , the plans being drawn to
meet F II A. requirements. He then furnished the
Board with the following preliminary information
under this proposal
Number of buildings 15
Number of units/bldg 4, 8 or 10
Number of 3 bedroom units 18
Number of 2 bedroom units 88
Number of 1 bedroom units 10
a. 3 bedroom units $135.00/mo.
b. 2 bedroom units 122.50/mo.
c 1 bedroom units 100.00/mo.
Total number of units • 116
Est, cost of development . $1,500,000
Est, valuation for assessment
(over) $ 500,000
The Board explained the mechanics in asking
for a change in the zoning by-law including adequate
description of the proposed district, petition by
applicants for a public hearing and a petition for an
article on the warrant for the annual town meeting.
Messrs. Berglund, Ippolito, Longo and Cole
left the meeting at 10 10 p.m.
Mr. Snow discussed with the Board a plan
which he had prepared, said plan showing Vine Brook WORTHS
Realty Trust, Colonial Development Corp . and adja- ROAD
cent lands, Mr. Snow ' s recommendations for the re-
location of Worthen Road across said lands, and also
his recommendations for the residential subdivision
12-8-58
of said corporation' s land . The relationship of said
Trust ' s proposal for an apartment house development
in relation to Worthen Road was also discussed. Par-
ticular attention was given to said Trust ' s scheme
shown on an undated letter-sized plan entitled " Pre-
liminary Site Plan Garden Apartment Development Lex-
ington, Massachusetts, " said plan being presented in
connection with Article 9 at the September 15, 1958
special town meeting. The description of the A 1
district as adopted at said meeting was also compared
with the plan entitled "A Subdivision of Land Court
Case No. 27677 Land in Lexington, Mass.", June 13, 1958,
Miller & Nylander, C E ' s & Surveyors, the latter plan
accompanying Form A application #58-42
After due consideration, upon motion duly made
and seconded, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Board adopt the study plan entitled
"Proposed Location of Worthen Road Across
Lands of Vine Brook Realty Trust and Colonial
Development Corporation , " dated November 28,
1958, prepared for the Board by Samuel P.
Snow, Planning Director.
In connection with the above vote the Board
also considered a draft of a letter to the Selectmen,
said letter being dated December 9, 1058 . The Board
approved said draft vich was signed by the Vice
Chairman. (See addendum. )
The Board considered next a letter dated
VINE BROOK December 1E, 1 °58 from Alfred P. Tropeano, Attorney
MEADOWS for the Vine Brook Realty Trust , requesting that
the Planning Board grant a further extension to the
VINE BROOK time for approval of the Vine Brook Meadows subdi-
REALTY vision plan. (See Minutes of November 17, 1958 )
TRUST Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unani-
mously
VOTED• That pursuant to the written request from the
applicant the time of approval of the defini-
tive subdivision plan entitled "Vine Brook
Meadowsand dated May 1 , 1 058, be and here-
by is extended to January 12, 1958.
The Board took under consideration next the
BURNHAM application of Todd Realty, Inc . for approval of the
FARMS definitive subdivision plan entitled "Burnham Farms
SEC. 3 Section Three Lexington, Mass ", dated November 5,
1958. It was noted that the owner ' s title to the land
being subdivided was derived under deeds mostly from
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Moore Realty Trust, said Trust being the agency under
which houses were to be constructed in the future by
Mr. Moore and Todd Realty, Inc . being the agency under
which Mr. Moore proposes to develop land. Before the
Board determined the date the application was deemed to
be accepted, Mr. Snow was asked to Inquire if the plan
had been filed with the Board of Health. In the mean-
time the Board tentatively set the public hearing rela-
tive to said application for January 5, 1958 at 8.00' p.m
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Wilbur M. Jaquith,
Vice Chairman
December 9, 1958
Board of Selectmen
Town Office Building
Lexington 73, Mass . Re: Worthen Road
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Planning Board's preliminary
study plan entitled "Proposed Location Worthen Road
Waltham St. to Marrett Rd " and dated August 15, 1958.
This plan is the one which was discussed at joint meet-
ings of the Selectmen and Planning Board on October 20
and November 10, 1958 and in connection with this Board's
recommendations set forth in its November 4 and 5, 1958
letters to you
With further references to these discussions and
the Proposed development of the Vine Brook Realty Trust
and Colonial Development Corporation lands, a more de-
tailed plan of the above -proposal has been completed. At
its meeting on December 8, 1958 the Planning Board
adopted the later plan, it being entitled "Proposed Loca-
tion of Worthen Road across lands of Vine Brook Realty
Trust and Colonial Development Corporation, " dated Novem-
ber 28, 1958, and prepared by Samuel P. Snow, Planning
Director. Attached herewith for your consideration is a
cony of said plan . It is recommended that the plan be
used by the Superintendent of Public Works as a guide in
approving the final plans to be submitted for this sec-
tion of Worthen Road .
Sincerely yours,
LICINGTON PLANNING BOARD
/s/ Wilbur M. Jaquith, Vice Chairman
cc • Supt.of Public Works
Vine Brook 'dealt-r Trust