HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-06-261
PLANNING BOARD MEFTI7G
June 26, 1961
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning
Board was held in the Roard's office, Town Office
Building:, on June 26, 1961 at 7:40 p.m. Present
were Chairman Soule, Members Grindle, Mabee and
Mever, and Planning Director Snow.
The Board approved the minutes of its June MINUTES
12, 115 an.d 1Q, 1961 meetings.
"nnroved for pavment were the following
bills which had been nresented: Samuel P. Snow, BILLS
June car allowance -425 Wallace B. Mitchell
Co., prints and supplies --3.30. The Board also
confirmed the action of the Planning Director in
approving* for payment during the previous week the
following bills: Donald C. Richardson, profession-
al services, May 5-13 inclusive --$143.00; Spauld-
Moss Co., drafting sunplies--%-21.33; Spaulding -
Moss Co., printing of Zoning; B77 -laws --..283.00;
Colonial Supply Co., Office supplies --P17.23;
Philip and Lawrence Burt, transcript of proceed-
ings of C 3 hearing -4103.25.
Also approved by the Board was the draft
of a letter to Mr. May setting forth the Planning REZONING
Board costs which his clients agreed to assume in PROPOSAL
connection with the public hearing held on June 1 -
relative to the proposal to rezone certain land COUNTRYWIDE
for C 3 use. (See addendum.) OFFICES, INC.
Considered next was the following Form A
anplication for determination of Planning Board FORM A
jurisdiction :
x'61-33, submitted Tune 271 1961 by P. L.
Himgins, Agent for Town of Lexi_naton;
plan entitled "Plan of Lot 187A Off
'A.1-ople Road., Lexington, :Mass.", Scale:
1" = 40', dated June 26, 1961s John J.
Carroll, Town Engineer.
Upon motion dul-r made and seconded, it was
unanimously
VOTED: that the Lexineton Planning; Board deter-
mines that the plan accompanying; Form A
application ##61-33 does not require
approval under the Subdivision Control
Law, and that said elan be so endorsed.
6-2(-61
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From 8:00 until 8:30 p.m. Town Counsel ,
Stevens met with the Board to discuss with it
several problems rich were currently under con-
sideration.
Mr. Stevens called to the Board's atten-
MIDDLE RIDGE tion his letter of June 26 to Mr. Snow in regard
SEC. 6 to the Middle Ridge, Section 6 subdivision. In
_ his letter Mr. Stevens transmitted the original
ROBERTS of a bond, dated June 12, 1961, securing the per-
formance of the obligations of the subdivider in
connection wit), said subdivision. It was noted
that the bond was secured by the deposit of 54
shares American Home Products Corporation, 200
shares General Motors Corporation, 100 shares
Idaho Power Company, 135 American Telephone and
Telegraph Company and 72 shares Eastman Kodak
Cn?rpany.
Mr. Snow called to the Board's attention
a letter, dated June 22, 1961, from the Board of
Health indicating certain lots in said subdivi-
sion were disapproved for building purposes. All
matters an -nearing to be in order, vpon motion duly
made and -seconded, it was unanimously
VOTED: that the definitive subdivision plan en-
'
titled "Middle Rid7e Section Six Lexington,
Mass.`, dated January 25, 1 961, which was
submitted to the Board by Turning Mill Asso
ciates, Inc. on Anril 7, 1961, accompanied
by an application for approval of definitive
plan, Form C, dated March 29, 1961, be and
hereby is approved subject to the condition
that no building or structure shall be built
or placed upon lots 50, 68, 75, 77., 78, 79.,
80 and 81 without consent by the Lexington
Board of Health.
There was discussed next Mr. Snow's memo-
ASPO PLANNING randum of June 8 in which he recommended to the
ADVISORY Board that it subscribe to ASPO Planning Advisory
SERVICE Service at an annual cost of $100. The Board
authorized Mr. Snow to enter for the Board a sub-
scription to this service for the current year,
beginning July 1, 1961.
LAND FOR Read to the Board was Miss Helen E. Carroll's
PUBLIC PURPOSES of
of June 16 asking advice regarding; the sale
of Lot 153 Block 13 in the Meagherville subdivision.
The Board then discussed and approved a suggested '
CARROLL reply to Miss Carroll's letter. (See addendum.)
6-26-61
' Considered next were the notices of
petitions to be heard by the Board of Appeals
on June 273 July 11 and 1 8, 1961. Tt was de-
cided to take no action in regard to said
petitions.
The attention of the Board was called
to a petition, dated Jne 10, 1961, addressed
to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning
"oard, suggesting that until the best perma-
nent solution could be determined by the Town
that a temporary exit from the Fern Street -
Moreland Avenue area be made in the form of an
extension of Buckman wive to Moreland. Avenue
be made. The Board noted the Selectmen's reply
of June 19 to Mrs. Frank H. Totman, one of the
petitioners, and approved the draft of a simi-
lar letter to Mrs. Totman acknowledging the
receipt of said petition. (See addendum.)
Attention was also called to a copy of
a letter, dated June 19, from the Board of
Selectmen to Mr. Eric T. Clarke acknowledging
receipt of a petition requestin€r the Board of
Selectmen to insert articles in the warrant
for the next town meeting to establish as town
ways Buckman Drive and Summit Road.
2'he Board next discussed the Selectmen's
letter of June 14 to the Planning Board in reply
to its letter of June 5 in regard to Buckman
Drive and Summit Road. The Planning Board then
considered and anproved a draft of a reply to
said Selectmen's letter. (See addendum.)
Read to the Board was a copy of Town
Counsel Stevens' letter of June 21 to Mr.
Lurvev, Flxecuti.ve Health Officer, with refer-
ence to the Lowell Tstates subdivision and, in
na.rt_,'_cular, the condition that certain lots
should not be built -non without prior consent of
the Lexi_naton Board of Health. (See addendum.)
With reference to the Planning Board's
meeting with the Selectmen on May 29, 1961,
the Planning Board anoroved the draft of a
memorandum to the Board of Selectmen in regard
to its recommendation that the Town acquire as
an addition to the Center Playground and as a
site for the future extension of Parker Street
a portion of the C. Henry Jackson lot on Clarke
Street. (See addendum.)
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BOARD OF
APPEALS
BUCKMAN DRIVE-
BUMMTT ROAD
BOARD OF
HEALTH
LOWE+'L'LL
FSTATES
JACKSON LAND
FOR RECREATION
PURPOSES
6-26-61
Read to the Board was Mr. Jaquith's
HENNESSY LkND letter of June 16 to the planning Board in re -
FOR RECREATION Bard to its proposal that a portion of the
PURPOSES Hennessy property on so-called Mountain Road be
acquired for playground and recreation purposes.
Mr. Snow was authorized to write to Mr. Jaquith
indicating that the Board wished to proceed
with plans to acquire the 10.02 -acre parcel of
lend owned by Mrs. Hennessy and to make an
appointment with Mr. Jaquith to meet with the
Board at its next meeting on July 10 to discuss
the matter. Mr. Snow was asked to write to the
Recreation Committee informing it of the Plan-
ning Board's nronosal and requestin that the
Planning Poard be informed of the Committee's
opinion in regard to the proposed acquisition.
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Mr. Snow gave a report of his talk with
GENS EMER Mr. Jack P. Gensemer, architect, of Cambridge,
with reference to preparing with Mr. Snow a
preliminary study plan for a C 3-M 1 district
between Bedford and good Streets from Route 128
to the Bedford Town line. Tt was agreed to
employ Mr. Gensemer at the rate of ;,7.50 per
hour for a total of 35 hours to prepare said
study plan in conjunction with a rezoning pro-
nosal, said study to be presented at the Plan-
ning Board's meeting scheduled for Auaust 7,
It was understood that if said stud7r plan was
satisfactory that Mr. C,ensemer was to be em-
ployed for another 3K hours at the same rate
to complete details of the plan and to -prepare
it in nresentation form.
Considered next was the request of Dr.
RFZOR?I^TG
Short for a decision in regard to his prorosal
PpOPOSAL
to rezone his and certain adjacent land for
-
use as an apartment district, said land front -
SHORT
Ing on `Valt"am Street at the Town line. (See
minutes of May 22, 1961 plan-ing Board meeting_.)
Mr. Snow was authorized to write a letter to
Dr. Short setting forth the various views of
the members of the Planning Board in regard to
said nronosal. (See addendum.)
Discussed next was the matter of employ-
SLTMMER
Ing personnel to assist with the summer planning
EMPLOYMENT
Program. Mr. Snow was authorized to employ Mr.
-
Wesley J. Ewell of North Chelmsford as a drafts-
EWELL
man for the summer months at the rate of #1.50
ner hour.
Mr. Snow gave a report of his talk with
GENS EMER Mr. Jack P. Gensemer, architect, of Cambridge,
with reference to preparing with Mr. Snow a
preliminary study plan for a C 3-M 1 district
between Bedford and good Streets from Route 128
to the Bedford Town line. Tt was agreed to
employ Mr. Gensemer at the rate of ;,7.50 per
hour for a total of 35 hours to prepare said
study plan in conjunction with a rezoning pro-
nosal, said study to be presented at the Plan-
ning Board's meeting scheduled for Auaust 7,
It was understood that if said stud7r plan was
satisfactory that Mr. C,ensemer was to be em-
ployed for another 3K hours at the same rate
to complete details of the plan and to -prepare
it in nresentation form.
6-26-61 -5-
There being no further business to trans-
act, the Board adjourned. its meeting at 9:t'.5 p.m.
Rob ert E. Meyer
Clerk
ADr7,TDt?M
June 261 1961
Vormnn C. May
1774 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington 73, Mass.
Lear Mr. "lay:
In accordance with your agreement of May 22, 1961 that your
clients would nay for all Planning Board costs of the rublic
hearing in connection with the Countrywide Offices rezoning
rronosal, there Is attached herewith an itemized statement
of these costs amounting to 6121.66. Please make a check
for this amount navable to the Town of Lexington and mail
the same to the Planninrr Board.
Yours very truly,
/s/ Richard u. Soule, Chairman
June 271 1961
Miss Helen E. Carroll
20 Charlesgate West
Boston. 15, `Vass.
Dear MISS Carroll:
In reply to your letter of June 16, 1961, an investigation
has been made of the conditions concerning your lot, #15 in
Block 13, in the Meagherville development. It has been found
that the lot is located in woods on Elm Street, a so-called
Itnaner" street. The mown owns all the land in the block of
lots onnosite your lot and all the lots except yours which
' front on Flm Street in Block 13. In addition, it is noted that
over 85" of all the lots in the general area. of this arrested.
subdivision have been acquired by the Town through the non-
6-26-61
payment of taxes.
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it appears very unlikely that there will ever be a street
constructed to give access to your lot. Tn addition the Town
is not willing to sell anv of the lots it has acquired.
As a practical matter vour lot could hardly be built upon
because it is only 25 feet wide by 100 feet long. T?nder
the Town's zoning? by-law mi.ni_mum side yards 7-1/2 feet wide
are required, leaving only ten feet for the width of a
house.
in view of the situation it appears that vour lot has no
real value. There is very little likelihood of its being
of value to a prospective buyer. However, in view of the
fact that A75.15 in taxes have been paid to the Town since
the lot was a.cqui.red in 1923, the Town would be willing to
purchase it from you for 1100. Should this offer be
acceptable to ,you the Planning Board will arrange immediately
to have the Town Counsel -ore-pare an option instrument where-
in the Town agrees to acquire your lot for this price. Upon
execution of this instrument the Planning Board will recom-
mend to the Selectmen teat they exercise the option so that
the lot may be acquired in the name of the Town.
Yours very truly,
Lexington Planning Board
/sl Richard H. Soule, Chairman
June 26, 1961
Nrs. Frank H. Totman
46 Moreland Avenue
Lexington 73, Mass.
Dear Mrs. Totman:
Receint is acknowledged of the petition dated June 10, 1961
requestine, that a temporary exit be made from Buckman Drive
to Moreland Avenue. The Planning_ Board Ts in receipt also
of a copy of Mrs. Morey's letter of June 19 to ,you in re-
p:ard to said netition. As i_n the case of the Selectmen,
the Planning; Board has no atthority to take a temporary
easement for travel purposes. However, to indicate the
Planning Board's concern about the problem of a second
means of vehicular access for the Fern Street -Moreland
Avenue area, the Board formally requested the Selectmen
In a letter, dated June 5, 1961s to place articles in the
warrant for the next town meeting to see if the Town will
vote to establish as town ways and to accent the layout of
as town ways extensions of Buckman Drive and Summit Road.
Sincerely yours,
Lexington Planning Board
/sl Richard H. Soule, Chairman
1
1
6-26-61
-7-
June 16, 1961
' Board of Selectmen
Town Office Building
Lexinmton 73, TTassa.chusetts
Dear TTadam and gentlemen:
There is submitted for Vour information the best answers
the Planning Board has been able to obtain to the ques-
tions set forth in Mrs. Morev's letter of June 11i, 1961.
1. It is not known bow much Mr. Luongo is willing to take
for his land. A number of times the matter has been dis-
cussed informally at joint meetings between the Planning
Board and the Board of Selectmen. On these occasions it
has been stated by Mr. Snow that Mr. Luongo indicated
that he was not willing to give up his land because this
would deprive him of hart of his income derived from
market ,ardeninry and would deprive him also of the oppor-
tuni.t-r to obtain under Sec. ll� (f) of the Zoning BIT -law
any nermi.t for a roadsiCe stand. Mr. Luongo indicated,
however, that he would be willino- to consider an exchange
of tax title land for his Moreland Avenue lots provided
such land was adaptable for market gardening and had
available to it a town water supply.
' It is recalled that Mr. Snow reco,-mended that the Select-
men consider sellinc, several lots on Hillside Avenue,
nerhans lots 33-37 inclusive, to Mr. Luongo so that he
might transfer his truck gardeninp, activities to this site.
A water service connection could presumably be made to
these lots from Taft Avenue, Rowker Street, or across Mr.
Sanseverinois land from Lisbeth Street, whichever location
is the most feasible. It is understood that no action has
been taken on this recommendation so Mr. Snow has not dis-
cussed tre matter further with Mr. Luongo.
2. It is not known how much it will cost to take by
eminent domain that portion of Mr. LuonFo's land needed to
lay out an extension of Buckman Drive. It is estimated
that the maximum cost of such a taking would be 83,000 per
lot plus assessed betterments. If only the portion of
lots 10 and 11 within the easement were taken, it is be-
lieved that there would be little difference, if anV, in
this takinm and the one involving both lots. The westerly
portion of lot 12 would not be wide enough to make it
economically feasible to construct a house. The easterly
portion of lot 11 has no value as a building lot. Said
portion would on1T.r have such value as that if it were
continued to be available with lot 10 for market gardening
or if it were combined with lot 11 for residential use.
' (For further discussion of this matter, see the minutes of
the January 23, 1o61 Board of Selectmen meeting.)
6-26-61 -8-
3. With regard to Buckman Drive and Summit Road being '
constructed at the same time, the Planning Board is
interested nrima.rily in having Buckman Drive extended.
Study of every nossible means of providing a second
means of access now to the Fern Street -Moreland Avenue
area indicates that this access is the only practical
one available at such a low cost. '41,en tris matter of access
was discussed with representatives of the Fnllen Hill
Association, they raised what in the opinion of the
Planning Board was the unwarranted fear of increased traffic
over Buckman Drive. To allay this fear and to divide any
unforeseen traffic from Moon Hill Road and Moreland Avenue,
the Planning? Board agreed to recommend the layout of
Summit Road to Fern Street at the same time it recommended
the extension of Buckman Drive.
As to the cost of laving out Buckman Drive and Summit
Road, the Planning Board has only the following estimates
which Mr. Carroll, the Superintendent of Public Works,
presented at the public hearing the Board of Selectmen
held on Me17 25, 1 061.
Summit Roa d
Privatewa,r (a) 300' @, P25 = '�,7,K00 (wooded section)
privateway (b) 4n0' n X15 = 6,000 (present paved section)
X-13-1-5-0-0
6" water main 500' @ = ,000
x'17,, 00 Total
Buckman Drive
25ot @ t15 = 3,75o (say X4,000)
4. It is the planning Boards recommendation that the
laying out of Buckman Drive and Summit Road as described
above should be set forth in separate articles.
Very truly yours,
LFKINGTO"? PLAY-1UNG BOARD
/s/ 'Pi -chard -7. Soule, Chairman
0 June 21, 1961
Mark D. Lurvy, Executive Health Officer
Board of Health
Town Office Building
Lexirrton 73, Massachusetts
Dear Mark: Re: Lowell Estates
As you know, the subdivision plan entitled "Lowell Estates '
LexinFrton, TTass.", was approved by the Lexington planning
Board_ on February 10, 1P50 subject to the condition that
6-26-61
certain lots should not be built upon without prior consent
of the Lexington Board of Health. One of the lots subject
to this provision is No. 6 and I have received a letter
from Hugh J. Mulligan, Jr., an attorney, dated June 16,
19611, saying that he has received word from you that the
Board of Health has approved the construction of buildings
on that lot.
In each case where the Board consents to building on a lot
covered by the condition referred to above, it is going to
be necessary for the Board to execute a form showing its
consent thatcan be recorded In the pegi_stryoof Deeds. This
is required in order to clear the title to the lot.
I enclose original and copy for ,your file of instrument
setting- forth that the Board has consented that lot 6 be
built upon. I£ the Board has given such consent, then this
instrument should be executed by a majority of the Board of
Health and the acknowledgment of one of such members of the
Board taken before a notary nublic. Vl)nen this has been
done, please return the original to me and I will check it
and then forward it to Mr. Mulligan for recording.
Sincerely yours,
' /sl Harold F. Stevens
FFS:enk
Inc.
cv= Planning Board
June 29, 1961
Lexi.n�ton Board of Selectmen
Town Office Building
Lexinp,ton 731 Tvlassachusetts
Dear Madam and Gentlemen:
At its meeting with you on May 29 the Planning Board dis-
cussed its recommendation that the Town acquire as an
addition to the Center playground and as a site for the
future extension of Parker Street a no -tion of the C. Henry
Jackson lot on Clarke Street. Inclosed herewith is a print
of a elan showing said portion which the Board is recommend-
inm be acouired.
Under this nronosal part "A" containing about 9j440 square
feet would be utilized immediately and part "Bit having an
area of about 16,02.0 square feet would be leased to Mr_.
' Jackson for a nominal rental for a period of time yet to be
determined. Such an arrangement w ould allow him to use the
greenhouses in hart "B" located opposite Parker Street for
6-=6-61 -lo-
a reasonable period of time and at the same time assure the ,
Town of the opportunit7 of extending Parker Street with no
further expense to the Town. Tt is nronosed to do this so
that a loop driveway would be formed by the extension of
Parker Street and the use of a section of Park wive and
Muzzev Street to rive adequate access to the proposed re-
development of high school and playground lands.
The Planning Board has not discussed this nrorosal with Mr.
Jackson although Mr. Grindle has discussed part of it with
him in a preliminary way. Tt is understood also that Mr.
Jackson examined in detail the preliminary development plan
for the central school and recreation area when this plan
was nr.esented at the Town Meetir7 Members Association inform-
ational meeting*. The Planning Board desires the opinion of
the Board of Selectmen in regard to the nroposal before dis-
cussing It in Its entirety with Yr. Jackson and entering
Into negotiations to acquire the portion of land shown on
the accompanying plan.
Pne .
Vorrs veru trultr,
LPVTNGTOi\T PLAY T`rpTr, POAPD
/sl Richard N. Soule, Chairman
June 30, 1961
Dr. Leonard V. Short
1433 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington 73, Mass.
Dear Doctor Short:
Reference is made to the meeting you and Mr. Gensemer had
with the Planning Board on May 22, 1961 at which time you
requested the Board's informal orinion in regard to your
proposal that there be rezoned for garden apartment use,
a parcel of land including yours, that of the Williams
Realtv Trust, and a portion of that owned by Ricci Brothers
located on '•laltham Street at the Lexington-1491tham line.
This letter will confirm my conversation with ,you and Mr.
Gensemer in the Planning Board office on Tuesday afternoon,
June 27, at which time T informed you of the opinions of
each member of the Board as they so authorized me to do at
their meeting on June 26.
As T understand the statements made to me, two members of
the Board are it favor of the nroposal, one wishes to re- '
serve his judgment being neither for or against the proposal,
and one member is opposed to it. This last member is opposed
In general to apartments in Lexington and Is particularly
6-26-61
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opposed to any further rezoning of land in this town for
garden apartment use until the present A 1 districts are
developed. The fifth member of the Board is away and has
no knowledge of your proposal.
2 also mentioned to you that the Board is considering some
revision of the A 1 district rezoning in order to separate
harden apartments and hotels into different districts, to
clarify some of the regulations in regard to present Al
districts, and to introduce certain requirements to pro-
vide buffers between these and other districts.
cc: Mr. Jack ^ensemer
Dlannin7 Bnar.d
C
1
Sincere17 vours,
/s/ Samuel P. Snow
Planning? Director