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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-01-04LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD 1960 Through March 7 Charles T. Abbott, Chairman Levi G. Burnell Thomas S. Grindle, Vice Chairman Irving H. Mabee Richard H. Soule, Clerk ' From March 14 Levi G. Burnell, Chairman Thomas S. Grindle, Vice Chairman Irving H. Mabee, Clerk Robert E. Mever Richard H. Soule 1 I PLANNING BOARD MEETING January 4.- 1960 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Planning Board Office, Town Office Building, on Mon day, January 4, 1960 at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman Abbott, Members Burnell, Grindle, Mabee and Soule, and Planning Director Snow. Town Counsel Stevens was also present from 9:45 to 10:25 P.M. Considered next was the draft of a letter to the Town Accountant requesting that he carry over 1959 FUNDS unexpended 1959 Planning Board funds in the options CARRY-OVER and general expenses accounts. The Board approved said draft which was signed by the Chairman. (See addendum.) Considered also were the following Form A applications for determination of Planning Board FORMS A jurisdiction: #60-11, submitted December 30, 1959 by Joseph E. Chisholm for Custom Colonials, Inc.; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lex- ington, Mass.", Scale: 1" = 20', dated December 21, 1959 by Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. #60-2, submitted December 30, 1959 by The Board approved the minutes of its December MINUTES 21, 1959 meeting. The Board approved for payment a bill of $7.20 BILL from H. B. McArdle for a diary. Mr. Abbott reported that since the Board's last meeting Mr. Stevens had received from the FOLLEN HILL trustees of the Tower Estate a verbal agreement ESTATES LAND that for 000 Lexington could obtain an option to FOR PUBLIC purchase for public recreational purposes the RECREATIONAL maining land of said estate in the Follen Hill Es- tates development, the purchase price to be $15,000. PURPOSES - (See Planning Board minutes of September 28, 1959.) OPTION Mr. Abbott stated that in order to expedite the ob- taining of said option the Town Accountant had been authorized to sign a voucher for $300 chargeable to the Planning Board's option account. The Board voted to confirm the action taken and approve the payment of $300. Considered next was the draft of a letter to the Town Accountant requesting that he carry over 1959 FUNDS unexpended 1959 Planning Board funds in the options CARRY-OVER and general expenses accounts. The Board approved said draft which was signed by the Chairman. (See addendum.) Considered also were the following Form A applications for determination of Planning Board FORMS A jurisdiction: #60-11, submitted December 30, 1959 by Joseph E. Chisholm for Custom Colonials, Inc.; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lex- ington, Mass.", Scale: 1" = 20', dated December 21, 1959 by Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. #60-2, submitted December 30, 1959 by 1-4-60 -2- Ralph F. Martino, Atty. for Robert R. Burg ' and Nancy R. Burg; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", Scale: 1" = 20', dated Dec. 3, 1959, Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously Shown to the Board were four studies, Mr. Snow had prepared for the termination of Turning Mill Road. The scheme he recommended, which he said had been approved by Mr. Carroll and which was acceptable to Mr. White, was one extending Turning Mill Road a minimum of 85 feet for provision of a permanent turn- around. Mr. Snow also exhibited a proposed plot plan for Lot 42 fronting on the existing street but based on the above scheme and providing, where a section of said turnaround would be located, an easement for public travel which he said the Waymind Realty Trust , was willing to grant the Town. The Board gave its informal approval of said scheme and lot plan. Mr. Snow said he would so notify Mr. White so that the VOTED: that the Lexington Planning Board determines that the plans accompanying Form A applica- tions #60-1 and #60-2 do not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law, and that said plans be so endorsed. Mr. Snow said that on a number of occasions MIDDLE RIDGE recently Mr. Harmon S.B.White, representing Waymint _ Realty Trust, had discussed with him the question of WAYMINT whether or not it was still the Board's plan that REALTY Turning Mill Road be extended from its present ter - TRUST minus northwesterly and then southwesterly through the land now or formerly of Carchia to a point on Grove Street opposite Winter Street. Mr. Snow pointed out that there were permanent springs, a brook, apparently underground rock, and a high pres- sure gas line in part of the area where the road would be located if extended. After discussing the matter and examining the conditions carefully on the ground with Mr. Carroll, Supt. of Public Works, it was Mr. Snow's opinion that while the road could be extended, there was a question of whether or not such an extension could be justified on the basis of the costs involved and results which might be obtained. He said that in view of existing conditions he be- lieved Waymint Realty Trust land could best be devel- oped by terminating Turning Mill Road and the Carchia property by laying out a so-called "dog -leg" street with a permanent turnaround. Shown to the Board were four studies, Mr. Snow had prepared for the termination of Turning Mill Road. The scheme he recommended, which he said had been approved by Mr. Carroll and which was acceptable to Mr. White, was one extending Turning Mill Road a minimum of 85 feet for provision of a permanent turn- around. Mr. Snow also exhibited a proposed plot plan for Lot 42 fronting on the existing street but based on the above scheme and providing, where a section of said turnaround would be located, an easement for public travel which he said the Waymind Realty Trust , was willing to grant the Town. The Board gave its informal approval of said scheme and lot plan. Mr. Snow said he would so notify Mr. White so that the 1-!!-6o -3- the Trust could prepare a final lot plan as well as a definitive subdivision plan. The Board's attention was called to a letter dated December 30, 1959, from Eugene C. Roberts III requesting an extension to and including January 25, 1960 of the time within which the Planning toard should act upon his application for approval of the Middle Ridge Sec. L.E definitive subdivision plan. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: that pursuant to the written request from the applicant the time of approval of the defini- tive subdivision plan entitled "Middle Ridge Section Four Lexington, Mass.', and dated August 28, 1959: be and hereby is extended to and including January 25, 1960. In response to Mr. Maloney's written request of December 29, 1959 the Planning Board met with the Selectmen from 8:45 to 9:40 p.m. to discuss the pos- sible use of a portion of the Potter property located on Waltham Street for a municipal parking area. (See minutes of December 71 1959 Planning Board meeting and January 4s 1960 Selectmen's meeting.) ' Read to the Board was a letter dated December 23, 1959 from Richard D. Thompson, Agent for Benjamin Shaffer, with reference to the construction of a drain pipe in the proposed Glen Estates subdivision. (See minutes of December 7, 1959 Planning Board meet- ing.) Before taking action in regard to the Shaffer request, the Planning Board asked Mr. Snow to ob- tain from the Supt. of Public Works and the Executive Health Officer their opinions in regard to the matter. When Mr. Stevens came to the meeting there was held a discussion of a plan concerning which the Board of Appeals desired an opinion, said plan show- ing a proposed subdivision of lot of land on which there exists two houses numbered 22 and 24 Fletcher Avenue. It was decided to inform the Board of Appeals that the division of land shown on the plan was not a subdivision for the reason set forth in paragraph 3 of Form A in the Lexington subdivision rules and regulations but that there would be insuf- ficient area, frontage and yards under the zoning by-law if the lot were subdivided as proposed. Discussed next with Mr. Stevens was Mr. Mabee's report in regard to his visit to and obser- vations of American Mail Advertising, Inc. (See MIDDLE RIDGE SEC . 4 ROBERTS MUNICIPAL PARKING POTTER GLEN ESTATES SHAFFER- A VADANIAN BOARD OF APPEALS 1-4-60 -4- minutes of December 212 1959 Planning Board meeting.) MAIL At the conclusion of the discussion Mr. Stevens said ' ADVER- he would inform the real estate broker interested in TISING locating the advertising firm in Lexington's C 3 dis- trict that it was the Planning Board's opinion that C 3 the nature of the firm's business was such that a DISTRICT building it occupied could not be construed to be for administrative, executive and similar uses as required in a C 3 district. Mr. Snow reported that the required work in PAINT ROCK the Paint Rock subdivision had been completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Public Works WAYMINT and that the trustees of Waymint Realty Trust had REALTY granted the utilities in said subdivision to the Town. TRUST All other matters appearing to be in order, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to release the performance bond, dated Aug. 7, 1959, filed by Waymint Realty Trust as Principal, and The Aetna Casualty & Surety Company as Surety, in the sum of Eight Thous- and and no/100 Dollars-- (8,000.00) --to secure the performance by the subdivider of its agree- ' ment in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plan, Form C, dated June 12, After Mr. Stevens left the meeting the Board's CAPITAL attention was called to a letter, dated December 271 EXPENDI- 19591 from the secretary of the Capital Expenditures TURES Committee listing topics concerning which the committee COMMITTEE desired information and opinions when it met with the Planning Board at its scheduled conference on January 13, 1959. It was decided to discuss the topics in detail at the Planning Board's next meeting, copies of said letter being given to the Board members for con- sideration. Mr. Snow reported his conversation with the Town Accountant who informed him that it was the intention of the Appropriation Committee to attend the Planning Board -Capital Expenditures Committee confer- ence. Further consideration was given to the possible HAWTHORNE ' acquisition of Hawthorne Acres land for the future ACRES LAND location of Emerson Road and for public recreation pur- FOR PUBLIC poses. (See minutes of the December 21, 1959 Planning RECREATION Board meeting.) Mr. Snow was authorized to discuss the AND STREET matter with Mr. Emilio Spagnuola of Esco Builders, Inc. LOCATION and to offer him $10,000 for said land, the offer being PURPOSES based on $9000 for the nine -acre parcel and $1000 for - reimbursement for engineering services incurred, 10 ESCO lots at $100 per lot, in the preparation of a defini- BUILDERS tive subdivision plan of said parcel. Mr. Snow reported that the required work in PAINT ROCK the Paint Rock subdivision had been completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Public Works WAYMINT and that the trustees of Waymint Realty Trust had REALTY granted the utilities in said subdivision to the Town. TRUST All other matters appearing to be in order, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to release the performance bond, dated Aug. 7, 1959, filed by Waymint Realty Trust as Principal, and The Aetna Casualty & Surety Company as Surety, in the sum of Eight Thous- and and no/100 Dollars-- (8,000.00) --to secure the performance by the subdivider of its agree- ' ment in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plan, Form C, dated June 12, 1-4-60 1959, to complete the work to be performed by the subdivider as shown on the subdivision plan entitled "tPaint Rock' Lexington, Mass." and dated May 154 1959. Mr. Snow likewise reported satisfactory com- pletion of required work in the Burnham Farms, See. 2, 3, and 4 subdivisions and the grant to the Town of the utilities in said subdivisions. All matters appearing to be in order, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to release the performance bonds, dated Aug. 11, 1958s filed by Moore Realty Trust, as Principal, and Continental Casualty Company, as Surety, in the sums of Forty-one Thousand and no/100 Dollars--4412000-00--and Seven- teen Thousand Five hundred and no/100 dollars -- ($17,500.00) --to secure the performance by the subdivider of its agreement in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plank Form C, dated May 28, 1958, to complete the work to be performed by the subdivider as shown on the subdivision plan entitled "Burn- ham Farms Section Two Lexington -Mass.", and ' dated April 1, 1958. VOTED: to release the tierformance bond, dated Janu- ary ltd, 1959, filed by Todd Realty, Inc. as Principal, and Continental Casualty Company as Surety, in the sum of Eighteen Thousand and no/100 Dollars-- ($18,000.00) --to secure the performance by the subdivider of its agreement in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plan, Form C, dated Nov. 29, 1958, to complete the work to be per- formed by the subdivider as shown on the sub- division plan entitled "Burnham Farms Section Three Lexington -Mass.", and dated Nov. 5, 1958. VOTED: to release the performance bond, dated March 20, 19591 filed by Todd Realty, Inc. as Prin- cipal, and Continental Casualty Company as Surety, in the sum of Six Thousand and no/100 Dollars--($6,000.00)--to secure the perform- ance by the subdivider of its agreement in the form of an application for approval of a defini- tive plan, Form C, dated Feb. 9, 1959, to com- plete the work to be performed by the sub- divider as shown on the subdivision plan en- titled "Burnham Farms Section Four Lexington, Mass.", and dated January 31, 1959. -5- BURNHAM FARMS SECS. 2, 3, and 4 MOORE REALTY TRUST TODD REALTY, INC 1-4-60 There being no further business to transact at the time, the Board adjourned its meeting at 10:50 p.m. R. and H. Soule, Clerk ADDENDUM Mr.Fdward A.Palmer Town Accountant Lexington 73, Mass. Dear Mr. Palmer: January 4, 1960 It is requested that you carry over to 1960, unexpended 1959 Planning Board funds on the following accounts: M Options for Streets and Recreation Lands, authorized under Article 28 by the Adjourned I Town Meeting held on March 26, 1956, and sub- sequent town meetings; and General Expenses, authorized under Item 13 Article 4 by the Arnual Town Meeting held on March 16-f 1959. '^fith reference to the first item the Board needs to retain an open account in order to have funds available for options until negotiations are completed for lands for street and recreation purposes. In regard to the second item it is requested that you carry ocer any unexpended funds from the General Expenses account for the purpose of paying for the Planning Board's report now being printed. Very truly yours, /s/ Charles T. Abbott, Chairman 1