HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-02-13PLANNING BOARD HEARING
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February 13, 1959
The Lexington Planning Board held a public hear-
ing on Friday, February 13, 1959 at 8:00 p.m. in Esta -
brook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, relative to the appli-
cation for approval as a subdivision property of Lexing-
ton Development Company known as 'Lowell Estates" situated
southerly of the intersection of Maple and Lowell Streets
and bounded in part by said streets and lots abutting on
said streets. Present were Chairman Grindle, and Members
Abbott, Burnell, Jaquith and Soule. Approximately thirty
persons attended the hearing.
The Chairman read the notice of the hearing as it
had been sent to all abutting property owners and others
deemed to be affected and as it has been published in the
January 29, 1959 issue of the Lexington Minute -man. He
then explained that on the advice of theown Counsel a
new notice had been advertised and a new hearing was being
held so that if there were any question as to the legality
of the previous hearing it would now be eliminated. He
pointed out that there had been an error in the notice of
said previous hearing, the error being in the date 1958
which should have been 1959. Mr. Grindle also explained
the matters concerning which a planning board had juris-
diction under the Subdivision Control Law, emphasizing
that such a board had no jurisdiction of the type of house
to be constructed and related matters. In conclusion, Mr.
Grindle gave an explanation of how the hearing would be
conducted. He then requested that a representative of
the Lexington Development Company present the proposed
definitive subdivision plan entitled "Lowell Estates Lex-
ington, Mass.", dated Dec. 12 1958.
Mr. Eugene L. Tougas of Waltham stated that he was
an attorney at law and represented the Lexin-ton Develop-
ment Company. Using the plans on display he pointed out
that they were the same as those presented at the previous
hearing held on January 19, 1959. He explained various
details on the plan and said that these had been discussed
with the Planning Board at an informal meeting held on
January 29, 195°. He sd d that since the plans had been
approved by the Town Engineer and since it complied with
Lexington's Zoning B -7 -law and subdivision rules and regu-
lations, the Lexington Development Company was asking for
approval of said plan.
' Mr. William Hammer of 15 Fiske Road wanted to be
assured that the records of the public hearing held on
January 19, 1959, including the statement he had read and
the petition Mr. Shaughnessy had read, would be incorporated
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in the records of the
of his neighbors had
Ing that it would be
regard to the Lowell
the previous records
hearing.
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present hearing. He said that many
not come to the present hearing believ-
a r epetItion of the last one held in
Estates subdivision. Mr. Grindle said
would be incorporated into the present
Mr. Hammer asked a number of questions about the
location of sidewalks and the width of streets within the
subdivision. He suggested that the pavement of the road
connecting to Lowell Street be widened to make what he be-
lieved would be a safer place of entrance from and exit to
a much -traveled way. Mr. Maurice J. Reutter of 6 Fairlawn
Lane expressed the opinion that the proposed road should be
widened. Mr. Frederick W. Crawford of 276 Lowell Street
asked if said street could be widened at the intersection
of the proposed subdivision.
It was pointed out that all streets in the subdivi-
sion were to be 50 feet in width, all road pavements 24
feet wide, and sidewalks to be 5 feet in width. It was also
pointed out that the location of sidewalks had not been deter-
mined but would be located on all principal streets. Mr.
Grindle noted that Lowell Street was a State highway and not
under jurisdiction of the Town. He said that the matter of
additional pavement width for a portion of the subdivision
street discussed would be taken unser consideration by the
Board.
Mr. John Castelli of 194 Lowell Street asked if the
proposed subdivision plan might be modified so that a con-
nection could be provided to his land in such a way that it
could be developed more economicallir. Mr. Castelli was asked
to discuss the matter after the hearing with the Messrs.
DeVries of the Lexirton Development Company.
A number of comments and questions in regard to
drains in Lowell Street were made and asked. It was sug-
gested that the persons interested in the matters involved
refer them to the Lexington. Department of Public Works. In
answer to Mr. Hammer's question regarding what guarantee
there would be that work as shown on the subdivision would
be completed, he was informed of the method of either filing
a performance bond or a covenant, the provision of such in-
struments being read. Mr. George DeVries said that his com-
pany was asking that all the subdivision be approved under
the provisions of a covenant.
Mr. Reutter asked who supervised the work to be per-
formed as shown on the subdivision plan. He was informed
that this was the responsibility of the Superintendent of
Public Works, that when all the work was completed to his
satisfaction he so notified the Planning Board in writing, and
upon receipt of this notification the Board was in a position
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to release the performance guarantee.
Upon conclusion of the hearing, Mr. Grindle asked
for a show of hands of those in favor of and opposed to
approving the subdivision plan. No one indicated that he
was in favor, 25 persons indicated that they were not in
favor, of such approval. Mr. Grindle then said the plan
would be taken under advisement and declared the hearing
closed, the time being 8:50 p.m.
Richard H. Soule
Clerk
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