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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-01-15' PLANNING BOARD MEETING January 15, 1962 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in its office, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 15s 1962 at 7:40 p.m. Present were Chairman Soule, members Brysons Grindle, Mabee and Me7er,and Planning Director Snow. The Board approved for payment the following bills which had been submitted: Charles', office suplies--$1.35; L- M. Fosters Inc., office su plies-- BILLS 6.&7; Wallace B. Mitchell Co.s white prints -10.26; A.S.P.O.s Zoning Digest --$15.00. Considered next was the following Form A appli- cation for determination of Planning Board jurisdic- FORMA tion: #62-2s submitted January 15s 1962 by Marlin E. Whitney and Mildred E. Whitney; plan entitled "A Compiled Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. "s Scale: 1" = 40's dated Jan. Its 1962s Miller ' & Nylanders C.E.'s & Surveyors. Upon motion duly made and secondeds it was unanimously VOTED: that the Lexington Planning Board determines that the plan accompanying application #62-2 does not require approval under the Subdivi- sion Control Laws and that said plan be so endorsed. The attention of the Board was called to Mr. Lloyd C. Goodrich's letter of January 11 to 'the GOODRICH Manning Director and the latter's reply of January 15 with reference to Form A application #61-44 (see LAND FOR minutes of September 5, 1961). It was decided to RECREATION ask Mr. Goodrich to meet with the Board at its meet- PURPOSES ing on January 22 to discuss his subdivision problem and that of the possible acquisition by the Town for public recreational purposes some of the land owned by Mr. Goodrich and his brother and located adjacent to the Whipple Hill recreation area, so-called. Considered and approved by the Board was the PALLADINO ' draft of a letter to Mr. Harry J. Palladino of LAND FOR Wellesley in regard to Form A #61-63 concerning RECREATION which he and Mrs. Palladino had met with the Board 1-15-62 -2- the previous week. (See addendum; see also minutes ' of Planning Board meeting of January 8, 1962.) Considered also was a letter of January 12 LEXINGTON from the Lexington Office Center Trust requesting OFFICE CENTER a further extension to and including January 30, 1962 TRUST of the time within uhich the Board must take final action on said Trust's application for approval of the MINUTEMAN Minuteman Research Park subdivision plan. Upon motion RESEARCH PARK duly made and secondeds it was unanimously VOTED: that pursuant to the written request from the applicant the time of approval of the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Minuteman Research Park"s dated November 10s 19611 be and hereby is further extended to and including January 30, 1962. From 8:05 until 8:55 p.m. Town Counsel Stevens Ti"-irtGNRS�l met with the Board to discuss with it several matters which it had under consideration. He presented to the Board an agreement executed by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Sullivan on.January 15s 1962 in which they assumed the obligations of Mr. and Mrs. Tillinghast with reference to the Tillinghast Estates definitive subdivision plan. All matters appearing to be in ' orders it was moved, seconded and unanimously VOTED: to accept the agreement executed January 15.- 1962 5,1962 by William H. and Mary G. Sullivans and the deposit of Ten Thousand Dollars -- ($10,000.00) --to secure the performance of the same; and to release the performance bonds dated November 27s 1961, and signed by Robert 0. Tillinghast in the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars--($10P000.00)--to secure the performance by the subdividers, Robert 0. and Ann R. Tillinghast, of their agreement in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plans Form Cs dated August 10s 19611 to complete the work to be per- formed by said subdividers as shown on the subdivision plan entitled "Tillinghast Es- tates Lexington, Mass.".* and dated July 12, 1961. . The Board discussed with Mr.Stevens the BASKIN Board of Selectmen's memorandum of January 15 to RECREATIONAL the Planning Board -with reference to the amount of AREA money remaining in the Baskin playground account and the request for a recommendation from the Plan- ' ning Board as to whether or not this money should be released for other purposes. After discussing and 1-15-62 ' considering the matter the Board dictated notes from which Mr. Snow was asked to draft a letter to the hoard of Selectmen setting forth the recommendation that the funds remaining in said account be retained and utilized to purchase additional land for expan- sion of the playground area and for its development. (See addendum.) After Mr. Stevens left the meeting the Board considered and approved the draft of a letter to Mr. Harry G. Berglund of Lexington asking him to make a formal written appraisal of the 10.02 -acre pareel,of the Mary A. Hennessy land which the Board was recom- mending be acquired for public recreational purposes. (See addendum.) The Board asked Mr. Snow to draft for the chairman's signature a letter to Mr. Wilbur M. Jaquith, attorney for Mrs. Hennessy, informing him that Mr. Berglund was to make said appraisal and that the Board was presenting an article in the warrant for the annual town meeting seeking authorization to acquire said Hennessy parcel. (See addendum.) The attention of the Board was called to a petition which had been filed earlier in the day with the Selectmen's office and which the Town ' Clerk had certified was signed by only 77 regis- tered voters of the Town of Lexington. The Board then considered and approved the draft of a letter to Dr. Short,'owner of the land involved, Inform- ing him of the procedure to be followed in peti- tioning the Planning Board to hold a public hearing on a rezoning proposal. (See addendum.) At 7:30 rn.m. on January 10, 1962 the Lexing- ton Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen held an informal Joint meeting in regard to the letter, dated December 1, 1961, from Chief Engineer McCarthy of the Mass. Dept. of Public Works. See minutes of Planning Board meeting of December 18, 1961.) Messrs. John L. Gardner and Lester H. L. Olson of said de- partment were also present. Messrs. Bryson, Grindle, Soule and Snow represented the Planning Board at the meeting and later gave to the other members of the Planning Board a report of the discussion which was held. After consideration of this report it was the unanimous decision of the Planning Board that the following recommendations be presented to the Board of Selectmen: ' 1. That first consideration be given to the layout and construction of Emerson Road along the loca- -3- HENNESSY LAND FOR RECREATION PURPOSES C 1 DISTRICT REZONING PROPOSAL SHORT WORTHEN ROAD ROUTE 2 1-16-62 tion of the trunk sewer from Massachusetts Ave- nue to Peacock Farm Road and thence to an inter- change in lieu of the preliminary proposal of the Mass. Dept. of Public Works for any interchange to connect to Watertown Street; -4- 2. That a major intersection be designed for a con- nection of Waltham Street to Route 2; 3. That a design providing for only a limited access to Route 2 be made for Spring Street; or no con- nection, with a service road to the Waltham Street - Route 2 interchange; and 4. That in lieu of a direct connection of Worthen Road to Route 2 that an alternate design for said Worthen Road be prepared showing a connection of said road to Pleasant Street, thence northeasterly to Watertown Street and thence easterly connecting to Emerson Road northerly of the Peacock Farm de- velopment. With reference to recommendation four and its relationship to recommendation one, Mr. Snow was authorized to engage professional assistance to help him in the preparation of road design and traffic studies. Mr. Snow said he recommended Bruce E. ' Campbell & Associates, consulting engineers, of Bos- ton and would arrange to have Mr. Campbell meet with him to discuss the project. Mr. Snow gave a report of the conference he SCHOOL had had with Mr. Gordon Steele during the previous SITES week in regard to school sites. Mr. Snow said that he had informed Mr. Steele that he had not made to date a recommendation to the Planning Board in re- gard to sites Mr.Steele had discussed with said Board at its meeting on December 18. Mr. Snow ex- hibited one of several_ prints of property maps he had made several years ago of general locations for school sites. He said, however, that in discussing these general locations with Mr. Steele he had been informed that this was not what the School Sites Committee wanted. Mr. Snow then called attention to a letter, dated January 15, 1962, from Mrs. Morey of the School Sites Committee requesting his assistance in defining areas for school sites for the warrant. Mr. Snow was authorized to render the assistance re- quested. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to I a discussion of a work program for the coming year. The meeting adjourned 11:30 p.m. Bert E.Meyer, C e k 1 1 1 1-15-62 ADDENDUM Mr. Barry J. Palladino 29 Rice Street Wellesley, Mass. Dear Mr. Palladino: -5- January 10, 1962 Thank you for coming to the Planning Board meeting on January 8. The Board was pleased to be able to hear from you and to discuss with you and Mrs. Palladino the situation with refer- ence to your parcel of land in Lexintrton. After you left the meeting, the Board, at the request of Attorney Milano of the Boston & Maine Railroad„ gave further consideration to its previous decision that the plan accompanying the application he submitted did require approval under the Subdivision Con- trol Law. A copy of the Board's letter of January 9, 1962 to Mr. Milano is enclosed for your information. The Board realizes that most laymen are not acquainted with the Subdivision Control Law in this state and particularly that sec- tion of the law having to do with plans which are desired to be recorded in the Registry of Deeds and which are not thought to require approval. Restating said section in simplified terms it says that when subdividing land each parcel shown on a plan must have the minimum frontage required under the zoning by-law on a public street, a private street previously approved under said law, or a way existing previous to the adoption of said law and which in the o-ninion of the Planning Board has adequate width, suitable grades, construction, etc. to provide municipal ser- vices to it and to adequately serve it with vehicles. The par- cel of land the Boston &Maine Railroad proposes to set off from its right of way simply does not have the minimum front- age of 125 feet required under the Lexington Zoning By-law. Without this frontage the varcel of back land you own does not meet the minimum requirements necessary to obtain a building permit for a residence. If you feel that this is an undue hardship, that you are unable to use your land with only the existing private access over the railroad tracks and that under these circumstances you wish to sell the land, the Planning Board is authorized to obtain op- tions for the Town to uurchase land such as ,yours. If you wish the Board to do so, it will employ an appraiser not connected with the Town to determine what, in his opinion, is the fair market value of your property. If you find this price is acceptable, the Board is prepared to negotiate such matters as the price of an option, period of an option, and the date of delivery of a deed. The Planning Board will then ask the Town Counsel to prepare for and submit to you an option instrument. In the meantime the Board is prepared also to recommend to the Town the payment of the agreed price for the land and to place 1-15-62 in the warrant for the next town meeting an article to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire the land and to see if the Town will provide the necessary funds therefor. Sincerely yours, LEXINGTON PLA19ITTNG BOARD /s/ Richard F. Soule, Chairman January 17,1962 Board of Selectmen Town Office Building Lexington 731 Mass. Re: Baskin Playground Dear Madam and Gentlemen: In reply to your memorandum of January 15, it is the Planning Board's opinion that the funds in the Baskin playground account should not be released for other purposes but should be utilized for the expansion and development of said playground. In a separate memoran- dum the Planning Board is setting forth the articles It wishes to be placed in the warrant for the 14�62 annual town meeting. One of these articles is for the purpose of acquiring the remaining parcels of land bounded by the Town of Lexington land acquired for the Baskin playground, Route 128, Grove Street, and the rear and side property lines of lots fronting on Grove Street and Warman Road. It is recommended that some of the balance in the Baskin playground account be utilized for this acquisition. -6- At the adjourned town meeting held on March 26, 19561, authorization was granted under Article 33 to acquire Mrs. Mrs. Baskin two parcels of land, one as a gift, and the second, Lot 23 on Wyman Road, for the nominal sum of $100. Under the same article the Town Meeting accorded its appreciation of the generosity of Mrs. Baskin and her late husband. As a further expression of its appreciation the town meeting held on March 18, 1957 designated under article 45, the land acquired from Mrs. Baskin for playground and recreation purposes as the John W. Baskin Playground and appropriated the sum of glO,OOO for the developing and improvement of said land. It is the opinion of the Planning Board that the town should carry out its proposed use of this land ' in good faith, and now that the taking for the relocation �I 1 1-15-62 of Route 128 has been made, should add to the remaining playground, land and develop and improve the entire area adjacent thereto as soon as possible. Sincerely yours, LEXINGTON PLANIUNG BOARD Is/ Richard H. Soule, Chairman Mr. Wilbur M. Jaquith Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, 84 State Street Boston 9, Massachusetts Re: Mary A. Hennessy Premises Dear Mr. Jaquith: -7- January 16,1962 The Planning Board regrets that it has overlooked replying to your letter of December 1 in regard to the Board's in- terest in acquiring for the Town for recreational rurposes Mrs. Hennessy's 10.02 -acre rarcel and the stable thereon. This is to inform you that the Board has asked Mr. Harry G. Berglund for his detailed independent appraisal of said par- cel and stable so that the Board will be in a position to discuss further with you and Mrs. Hennessy the acquisition of her property. As soon as the Board has this material in hand it will so notify you and arrange for a meeting for said discussion. Indicating the Board's good faith in this matter it has requested that there be placed in the warrant for the annual town meeting in March an article to see if the Town will. vote to acquire said parcel and to appropriate money for the purchase therefor. Sincerely yours, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Richard H. Soule, Chairman January 15, 1962 Mr. Harry G. Berglund 75 Prospect Hill Road Lexingtoh 73 Mass. ' Dear Mr. Berglund: The Planning Board is most appreciative of the opinion you 1-15-62 _a- gave it through Mr. Snow of the fair market value of the ' 10,02 -acre parcel of the Mary A. Hennessy property located at the end of Robinson Road. The Board would now like to have you, at your very earliest opportunity, prepare a written appraisal of said parcel and the stable thereon and bill the Board for the same. It is desired to have this appraisal in detail with comparable sales so that the appraisal may be used to negotiate at the earliest possible date terms for the acouisition of this parcel by the town. To assist you in this work Mr.Snow will furnish you with such maps of the area involved as the Board has available. It is understood that sometime in December Mr. Snow asked you to make an informal appraisal of lot 1 of the Goodrich pr&perty on Summer Street. It has since been decided to have a more detailed appraisal made and to ask Mr.Reen- stierna to make this while you undertake the Hennessy appraisal. The Board trusts this arrangement will be agree- able to you. Sincerely pours, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Richard H. Soule, Chairman January 15P 1962 Dr. Leonard V. Short 1433 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington 73, Mass. Dear Dr. Short: The Planning Board is in receipt of a petition which it is understood you left in the Selectmen's office today and which was certified by the Town Clerk as having the signa- tures of 77 registered voters of this town. Should you wish to have the Planning Board hold a public hearing on a petition to rezone your land on Waltham Street it will be necessary first to submit to said Board a peti- tion signed by not less than 100 registered voters. After the petition has been certified by the Town Clerk to have been signed by the proper number of registered voters, the Planning Board will determine the number of owners of all property deemed by said Board to be affected, the costs of mailing notices to the same and other costs for conducting a hearing. The Planning Board will then set the fee to be , paid for covering all costs. Upon payment of the fee by 1 -i5 -b2 -9- you the Planning Board will then place a notice of said hearing in the local newspaper and proceed with other matters necessary in holding a public hearing. Sincerely yours, LEXINGTON PLANNTNG BOARD /a/ Richard H. Soule, Chairman January 15.1962 Mr. Richard H. Soule, Chairman Lexington Planning Board Town Office Building Lexington 73s Massachusetts Dear Mr. Soule: The School Sites Committee has decided, with the approval of the School Committee, that the acquisition of four more sites (including one for Junior High) should satisfy all ' future school needs. These four sites rave been discussed from time to time - land on Marrett Road at about Bacon Street (for Junior High) - Meagherville land off Reed Street - Car rig land adjoining the new Follen Hill park land - and an area off Laconia Street. The Committee would appreciate assistance from Mr. Snow in defining these areas for articles for the warrant, and to enable us to approach the owners for options before the Town Meeting. RM : m 1 Very truly yours, SCHOOL SITES COMMITTEE /s/ Ruth Morey