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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-10-291 L PLANNING I30ARD MEETING October 29, 1962 A regular meeting of the Lexington Plan- ning Board was held In its office in the Town Office building, on Monday, October 29, 1962 at 7:10 p.m. Present at the opening of the meeting were Chairman Grindle, Members Bryson, Campbell and Mabee, and Mr. Snow, Planning Director. Mr. Myer came to the meeting at 9:30 p.m. The Board approved for oavment the bill for `ra65.50 for printing amendments to the Zon- ing By-law, X109.63 of the bill to be paid from the remainder of the Planning Board's 1961 General Expenses account, and "`'•515.87 to be paid from 1962 funds. BILL Mr. Snow oresented and discussed a state- ment of expenditures from the Planning Board's 1962 1962 veneral expenses account. It was noted EXP3TDITURES that ' 42504.03 had been expended through October 15 leaving a balance of X1,295.97 in said account. It was also noted that the Appropriation Committee had not authorized a transfer from the town's Excess and Deficiency account to the -Plan- ning Board's general expenses account to replace 71,750 paid to Abbott Fngineering, Inc. for the corooration's study for P'merson and Worthen Road connections to Route 2. (See Planning Board minutes of April 16, 1962.) Later on in the evening the Planning Board met briefly with the Selectmen requesting that they discuss again such a transfer with the Anorobriations Committee and try to obtain favorable action in regard to the same. Considered next was a matter which had been discussed previously a number of times at informal work sessions of the Board, namely, en- gaging professional services for editing the re-oort which the Board was nreparing on a master town plan for Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTTM: to engage the services of Linda M. Fern- berger of Lexington for •`,500 to edit the ' Planning Board's report on a Master Plan for Lexington. MASTER PLAN REPORT 10-29-19/62 -2- Mr. 2- Mr. Mabee was asked to inform Mrs. Fernberger of the Board's action and to give her the drafts of ' such material for the renort as the Board had. com- rleted and anrroved to date. (See addenda.) Considered also were the following Form A FORMS A applications for a determination of Planning Board juri.sdict ion: �f62-78, (see minutes of Planning Board meet- ing of October 22, 1962.) -A'62-82, submitted October 26 1962 by Marion Mills; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lex- ington, Mass. Owned by : Marion Millso" Scale: 1" = 401, dated Oct. 21_, 1962, Joseph W. Moore, Inc., 'Reg. Land Surveyor. -`,`62-83, submitted October 29, 1962 by Minola Black, Donald Jenkins, Jr., agent; plan en- titled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. Owned by: Black;" Scale: l" = 201, dated May 251 1960; Josenh TiT. Moore, Inc., Reg. Land Surveyor. Mr. Snow gave a report of his discussion of ' the plan accompanying Form A a-pplication -62-78 with Town Counsel Legro. After due consideration, and upon motions duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: that the Lexington Planning Board determines that the plan accompanying; Form A application #62-78 requires approval tinder the Subdivi- sion Control Law. VOTED: that the Lexington ?Tanning Board determines that the plans accompanying Form A applica- tions 7-1�62-82 and ''62-83 do not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law, and that said n lans be so endorsed. Attention was called to a letter, dated ADAMS ESTATES October 29, from John �•T. Castoldi.1 requestinE- that SFC. 3 the Board further extend to and including '?ovember the time within which the Board must act on his CASTOLDI annlication for approval of the Adams Estates, See - tion Three definitive subdivision plan. Mr. Snow reported that Mr. Castoldi had been out of town most of the time durinT, the mast two or three weeks and for this reason had not been able to obtain the , nroper information for the Town Counsel to nrerare a covenant, andsince its nreparation, had not had it 10-29-62 -3- PROPOSED FAST LEX- INGTON HTSTORIC DISTRTCT LAND FOP, RECRPATIOYAL PURPOSES DR INMAIA TER LOCKE MENDUM ROSS7TTI executed by all the parties involved. Thereupon, it was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED: that pursuant to the written request of the applicant the time within which the Planning; Board must take final action on the applica- tion for approval of definitive subdivision plan entitled "Adams Estates Section Three Lexington., Mass.", dated December 20, 19611 revised Anril 30, 1962, be and hereby is further extended through and. including Novem- ber 51 1962. With reference to the discussion the Board held the previous week regarding a suggested his- toric districts in fast Lexington, Mr. Snow renorted he hac discussed the matter further with. Mr. pipley and also with PIr. Jaquith who had drafted Lexing- ton's sn ec ial historic districts act. Mr. Snow said that Yr. Ripletr had decided to discuss the subject furtherwith interested parties before meeting, wit'_ the Planning Board to exrlore the ,oss_bili.ty of establish'n,rr such a district. Mr. Snow said also that he had sent to Mr. Ripley for his infor-iati.nn a memorandum nrenared by the Divi- sion of Planning of the ?Massachusetts Department of Commerce, the memorandum being entitled "Establish- ment of Historic Districts in Massachusetts," and dateC Julsr, 1960. Copies of this memorandum were distributed to members of the Dlanning Board. Mr. Snow reported that durin7 the nast week Mr. Edward J. Drinkwater, Jr. had come to the office in response to the Planning Boardts letter of October 22 relative to the nossibility of the Town acquiring for public recreational ru rnoses Lots 21 and 22, Dlock 0, in Lexin-ton Heights, the so-called Mea7herville subdivision. Mr. Snow said that he had been informed that Mrs. Eelen 7. Dailey to whom the Board's letter was addressed was the niece of 'Fr. Edward J. Drinkwater, Jr. Mr. Snow also said that he had been informed that Edward J. and William H. Drinkwater, in whose name the title to said lots rests, had both died intestate and that because of the costs involved their estates had never been probated. Mr. Snow said that while TTr. Edward J. Drinkwater, Jr. was willing to sell the lots to the Town he was not in a position to do so because of the title situation complicated, among; other things, by the fact that Edward J. Drinkwater, Sr. had five heirs, all of whom had ' ri-hts in the lots as well as the heirs of William P. Dr.inl:.water. Mr. Sr_ow was asked to review the PROPOSED FAST LEX- INGTON HTSTORIC DISTRTCT LAND FOP, RECRPATIOYAL PURPOSES DR INMAIA TER LOCKE MENDUM ROSS7TTI 10-29-62 -4- situation with the Town Counsel, and to seek advice I on whether or not to attempt to acquire these lots at this time. There was then presented for consideration drafts of letters to Messrs. Wendell W. Locke, Idillis C. Mendum, and Anthony M. Rossetti making them offers for land the Planning Board was recommending be ac- quired as additions to the °�,Jpple Fill recreational area. The Board approved said letters (see addenda). In regard to the requested action on the letter to Mr. :Mendum Mr. Snow was requested to verify the value town of `-dinchester assessors has placed on the Mendum land to be sure the Boar(I's offer was commensurate wits said value. !xhibi_ted to the Board was a nreliminsry un- LEXTiIGTON_ titled plan which i`"r, Show had asked the town engi- WINCHESTER neering department to prepare, the plan showing the TOWN LINE recommended relocation of the Lexington -Winchester town line between bounds L -W-1 and L -W-3. (See minutes of Planning Board meeting of October 81 1962,) Mr. Snow was requested to have this plan reproduced and to x)repa.re for the Board's consideration at its next meeting a draft of a letter to the Selectmen recommending; favorable action on this proposed reloca- ' ti.on. Mr. Nylander stated that before the group he was associated with proceeded with the nossible acqui- sition it would like to have an indication of some of the things the Planninp, Board would approve. He said the group felt that they bad to have this commitment because it would be necessary to borrow ('8000 for addl- tional architectural services and to nay the taxes on , the nronerty for a year. Mr. N --lander also said that the groun wolalca not want to do this and then afterwards not obtain approval of the plans. He ti -en mentioned From 9:00 to 9:50 p.m, Mr. Wilbur C. Nylander WAUTTAM met with the Board to discuss the 'Jaltham Street STREET garden apartment raroject. He informed the Board that GARDEN Mr. Torsten H. Reenstierna, trustee of the Vine Brook APARTMENT Realty Trust, was no longer interested in the project PnO,TBCT and desired to sell the trust's A l district prorerty. Mr. Nylander" said that a group consisting; of himself, Mr. Alfred P. Tropeano and Mr. Tropeano's three brothers were interested in nurchasing the property, and that two other groups had made offers to purchase the same. Mr. 'N-�Tlancier also said that he and Mr. Alfred P. Troneano had financial interest in the rronerty, this being; in the form of rast professional services rendered. Mr. Nylander stated that before the group he was associated with proceeded with the nossible acqui- sition it would like to have an indication of some of the things the Planninp, Board would approve. He said the group felt that they bad to have this commitment because it would be necessary to borrow ('8000 for addl- tional architectural services and to nay the taxes on , the nronerty for a year. Mr. N --lander also said that the groun wolalca not want to do this and then afterwards not obtain approval of the plans. He ti -en mentioned 10-2°-52 -5- three principal points in which the'groun was in- terested: changes in the previously approved site nlnn; a variance from the bui_ldi.n? code in regard to masonry bearinm walls; and annroval of some basement anartments making^ certain buildings three and one-half stories in hei.rrht instead of two and one-half stories. He pointed out the objections this group had to the apnroved site plan: too great a distance from Capt. Parker Lane to the furthermost apart- ment building; insufficient off-street narking; location of some narking areas directly off the streets, limiting guest parking on the lane and ham- nering snow removal, a.nd nlacing cars in view be- tween buildings; excessive amount of filling. Mr. Nylander exhibited a sketch site plan showing only road and building locations and some parking areas for which he sought some expression of annroval. He said, however, he had not tried to develop the scheme further part! -cu larly as to grad - ng! Mr.. 771a.ncer was informed that he could, bring in a elan any time with such changes as his group pronosed and worked out but that the planning Board could not commit itself i.n advance on any point he ' had mentioned. Nor. Nylander was told, however, he could, arra-nee with -.r. Snow to review the "lanning Board's plan files on this nroject showing* a number of -possible solutions to each site problem he had discussed. Concerni.n7 the matter of a variance from the toc-?n's ruildi no- by-law, Yr. Nvlander was referred to the Buildi.nr; Tnsnector and the Board of Anneals. In response to Mr. Nv lander.'s question as to what action could be taken If his group wanted to add a story to some of the apartment buildings -- could a variance be granted by the Board of Appeals or would such a change necessitate an amendment to the zoning by-law, it was stated that such a matter would have to be referred to the Town Counsel for an on_inion. Tt was noted that either a variance or an amendment would have to be made to both Section S(g) and Section 7(a) of said by-law. After Mr. Nylander left the meeting, the Board discussed, In light of its previous experience in this case, what dep;ree of involvement, if any, there ' should be of the staff in making any suggestions or corrections on any site elan which miroht be submitted for an informal onini_on or recommendations. It was 10-2c_- ,2 agreed that T -Tr. Snow would not do any detailed nlanninr or prepare any plans whatsoever for any ' one connected with trp e roject. Discussed next was the neti_tion of C. H. BOApD OF McGee to be heard by the Board of Appeals on APPEALS October 30. It was decided that., the Planning Board - would not write to the Board of Appeals in this McGEE case but should be represented at the hearin;T. Mr. Meyer"agreed to so represent the Board and to pre- sent the following position which was agreed upon: 1. That the proposed use was a business use in a: two-family dwelling district; 2. That as a matter of nolic7 the Planning* Board objected to the extension of business into a residential district; 3. That in this particular case the Planninrr, noare objected to the proposal that hart of the build - Ing numbered 0-703-705 Massachusetts ,Avenue be converted into office space for rental purposes: �.. That in this rarticular case also the Planning; Board was concerned with the notential narking problem at the locus, "namel7r, the intersection ' of Pollen Road. and Pleasant Street with Tiassa- chusetts Avenue. The Board then discussed various matters in MASTER connection with the preparation of Its report on a PLAN town master r1an. It was decided to hold an in- formal work session on the renort on Wednesdays TTovemb er 7. The Planninj7 Board adjourned its meeting at 10:20 n.m. C 4F- ,' q4.. Artrur E. rr7son, Jr. Clerk ADDENDA October 29, 1062 Mr. Wendell Tf. Locke ' 73 Ridge Street Winchester, ^lass. 10-2o/-62 -7- please advise the Board at ,your earliest convenience if this offer i.s satisfactory to you. If :t is, the Board will recommend to T�exinrrton's 1963 annual town meeting that this sum be anpronriated. Tn the meantime the Board will ask the Town Counsel to prepare an option for you and ,rnur brother to sign. Tt will also have a definitive plan nrenaredd showing; the exact bounds and area of the Locke acres in Lexington. After favorable action by the Town Meeting the Board will have the Town Counsel-)repare a deed for the acquisition of this land. Anv expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of these legal instruments or the plan will be assumed by the Tolrrn of Lexington. Sincerely, LE7TNGTON PLAN" TNG BOAR.r Is/ Thomas S. Grindley Chairman October 20, 1962 Mr. Anthony M. Rossetti 42 Feath Street Everett 49, Mass. Dear Mr. Rossetti: Thank you for coming to the Lexington Planning; Board on October 8 with. Mrs. Rossetti and discussing the bossiblllty of the town of Lexington acquiring for recreational pur- roses the land which t*ou own in this town. From the Board's discussion with you it 4s understood that you were willing to sell this land to the town. It is the Board's understanding that the portions of your land located in Lexington has been revalued at x'6850, or X360 per acre. The Planning Board offers you this sum, namely, fi6850 for your Lexington land. ' please advise the Board at ,your earliest convenience if this offer is satisfactortr to you. If it isy the Board will re- commend to Lexington's 1963 annual town meeting that this Dear Air. Locke ' Tbanik you for T.rour letter of October 18.. It Is the Planning Board's understandin€, that after a re- valuation of all land in Lex'nrrton this vear A76E�Oy by a nrofes- or 6, V0 sional: anpraisaal firm that a value of -ger acre, has been -)laced on the Locke acres i.n Lexin!-ton. The Board offers you this sum, namely, `7650.00 for your Lexington land. please advise the Board at ,your earliest convenience if this offer i.s satisfactory to you. If :t is, the Board will recommend to T�exinrrton's 1963 annual town meeting that this sum be anpronriated. Tn the meantime the Board will ask the Town Counsel to prepare an option for you and ,rnur brother to sign. Tt will also have a definitive plan nrenaredd showing; the exact bounds and area of the Locke acres in Lexington. After favorable action by the Town Meeting the Board will have the Town Counsel-)repare a deed for the acquisition of this land. Anv expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of these legal instruments or the plan will be assumed by the Tolrrn of Lexington. Sincerely, LE7TNGTON PLAN" TNG BOAR.r Is/ Thomas S. Grindley Chairman October 20, 1962 Mr. Anthony M. Rossetti 42 Feath Street Everett 49, Mass. Dear Mr. Rossetti: Thank you for coming to the Lexington Planning; Board on October 8 with. Mrs. Rossetti and discussing the bossiblllty of the town of Lexington acquiring for recreational pur- roses the land which t*ou own in this town. From the Board's discussion with you it 4s understood that you were willing to sell this land to the town. It is the Board's understanding that the portions of your land located in Lexington has been revalued at x'6850, or X360 per acre. The Planning Board offers you this sum, namely, fi6850 for your Lexington land. ' please advise the Board at ,your earliest convenience if this offer is satisfactortr to you. If it isy the Board will re- commend to Lexington's 1963 annual town meeting that this 10-29-62 M sum be arnropriated. In the meantime the Board will ask , the Town Counsel to prepare an option for you to sign. It will also have a ("ef niti.ve r)lan pre-oa.red showing the exact bounds and area of the Rossetti land in Lexington. After favorable action by the Town Meeting the Board will have the Town Counselnrenare a deed for the acquisition of this land. Any expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of these legal instruments or the nlan will be assumed by the Town of Lexington. Sincerely, LEXIN TON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman October 29, 1962 Mr. Ifillis C. Mendum 16 Arlington Road Woburn, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Mendum: peference Is made to ?"r. Snow's letter of. October 19 to you enclos,ng a marked nrint of the nortion, about 7968 square feet, of that part of Lot"11 the town of Lexington would like to purchase from you. An-aroximately 3360 square feet of this norti.on Is located in Lexi.ni*ton between the old and new Lexin7_ton-Winchester town lines. The remaining portion of a rart of Lot 11 is located in Winchester.. It is the Planning Board's understanding; that the portion of nart of Lot 11 located in Lexington is not assessed by this town but that 11inchester has »laced a value of 225 on all of the part of Lot 11 located southerly of Johnson Road. This Board offers you `225 for only that norti on, about 7968 square feet, it wishes to add to the public recrea- tional land owned by "Lexington. Please advise the Board at your earliest convenience if this offer is satisfactory to you. If it Is, the Board will recommend to the 1963 Annual town meeting in Lexington that this sum be appropriated. In the meantime the Board will ask the Town Counsel to pre- pare an option for you to sign. It will also have a defini- tive nlan prepared showing the exact bounds and area of the parcel Lexin!;ton wishes to acquire. ?after favorable action by the Town Meeting, the Board will have the Town'Counsel prepare a deed for the acquisition of the parcel. Any ex nenses incurred i.n connection with the p^eparation of these legal instruments or the nlan will be assumed by the town of Lexi_n7ton. LEXTNGTO'v PL4ITTTI G BOARD /s/ Thomas S. Grindle, Chairman 10-29-62 -9- October 31, 1962 Mrs. Linda 71. Fernberger 22 Sherburne Road Lexington 73, Mass. Dear 10'rs. 1'ernberger: ''his letter will confirm the information I gave you 7esterda7T that the Leyington Planning; roard voted at its meeti_n,_ on ^ctoher 2Q to enar?e ��our services fpr 00,x'0 to assist the Ro^rd in the ^"eneral nrenn.ration of its 1963 summary report and recommendations to the Town. In accordance wltb our verbal agreement trour services will include the layout of the nublicat`on, and arrangements for its printing, collating, and delivery. Members of the Board and the Planninn Director will cooperate with Trou by furnishing the drafts of such written and illus- trative material as ;t is decided to include in the report. Si nc er eltr, /s/ Irving IT. Mabee Vice Chairman 1 1