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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-01-20PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' January 205 1964 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held on Monday, January 20, 1964, in its office, Town Office Building, Lexington. Present were Chairman Meyer, members Bryson, Campbell, Greeley, and Mabee, and the secretary, Mrs. Macomber. At 7:55 p.m. the Board met with Mr. Russell S. Davenport for informal discussion of his rezoning proposal for change of REZONING zone of his land on Bedford Street from C 1 to A 1 apartment dis- PROPOSAL trict, and to answer any questions the Board might have in rela- tion to the same. A petition has been received bearing 112 names DAVENPORT certified by Town Clerk Carroll to be registered voters in the Town of Lexington requesting that an article for this change be placed on the warrant for the annual town meeting to be held in March. When asked if this was the same article which he had pro- posed to present at the special town meeting held last November, Mr. Davenport replied that it had been changed somewhat. He ex- plained that this land is at the Hinchey Road gravel pit and the area would look much better if leveled off. It is not considered residential land. It was also stated that it is impossible to develop some of the land along Hartwell Avenue because of insuffi- cient frontage. The Board felt that there was room for more than one motel and that there would be need of such when the federal park was developed. Mr. Davenport stated that the motel business was running out and that he preferred the apartments and not to wait for the development of the park. He believes that the people in the area prefer apartments, also. Mr. Davenport asked if the Board favored this proposal and was told that the Planning Board had prepared a report for the last hearing, which had been postponed, and had given a copy to Norman Richards, attorney for Mr. Davenport, and that the Board had not discussed the matter since. However, it was the opinion of the Board that their attitude would probably remain the same. Mr. Davenport left the meeting at 8:10 o'clock. At this time, Mr. Raymond Boudreau came to the meeting in regard to his rezoning proposal to change a small piece of land REZONING on Worthen Road from R 1 to C 2. He stated that a petition had PROPOSAL been .given Mr. Carroll for checking of names. A tentative date for hearing was set for February 20, 1964. Mr. Boudreau left BAYCO REALTY at 8:15 p.m. At this time Mr. William H. Sullivanmetwith the Board PRELIMINARY PLAN to submit.a preliminary plan of subdivision to be known as - ' "Tillinghast Estates Section 2 Lexington, Mass." The Board. TILLINGHAST looked the plan over and will forward it to John Carroll, Supt. ESTATES of Public Works, for his comments. 1-20-64 -2- At 8:20 p.m. the Board met with Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Seth, REZONING Mrs. James Maxner, and Charles Cole, architect, with regard to ' PROPOSAL the rezoning proposal to change land on Worthen Road from R 1 to A 1. Mr. Cole exhibited the latest plan and survey of the SETH -MATER entire site which shows a 40 -foot right-of-way through one house lot fronting on Hill Street, which it was. recently discovered was part of the original plan and had been so recorded in the Registry of Deeds. This would provide for a second: -access to the area from the rear. There is water available in both Worthen Road and Hill Street. Mr. Cole stated that the petitioners felt it might be wise to present this on its own merit rather than tie it in with the housing project for the elderly. They would like to present it some time in the spring at a special town meeting. They would come in with the 14 acres, and the rest of the land, 7 acres, would come in under the old age proposal. Mr. Cole asked if the Planning Board would take the re- sponsibility for presenting the proposal, and was told that since it had been postponed at the November hearing at the Board's re- quest, the Board would sponsor some form of change here, -depend- ing in part on what the Housing Authority decided to do. Mr. Cole replied that the petitioners had signified their willingness to cooperate in any way requested by the Board. The group left. at 8:35 p.m. At this time a group representing the Industrial Relations CHAMBER OF Group of the Chamber of Commerce came to the meeting. Present ' COMMERCE were Leslie York, Mark Moore, Jr., Fred Johnson, Wilbur Nylander, and George Kolovson. Mr. York, as spokesman for the group, said they had come in to find out if there was anything they as a group could do in the way of assisting the Planning Board in get- ting things done, especially with regard to relief tax -wise. After discussing various matters, including a tradesmen's park, expanding business in the center, parking, C 2 and 3 districts, etc., the group left at 9:35, stating they would be willing to assist the Board in any way they could if requested to do so. Specifically, the Board asked for suggestions as to where the Chamber of Commerce felt tradesmen's park districts should be located. The Board met with the Board of Selectmen from 9:35 until 10:00 o'clock. Town Counsel Legro met with the Board to discuss certain TOWN COUNSEL policies. The matter of Mr. Hardy's bill was brought up and Mr. LEGRO Legro stated that he did not believe this money should come from the legal budget. He said he could not be put in the position of having any board, much less all town boards, employing con- sultants without his having any control over the time and amount spent and have it come out of the legal department's expenses. If there is going to be a consulting fee charged to the Planning Board there had better be an appropriation for it. He has no objection to it going into the law department budget if it is earmarked for the Planning Board. If a board in the town wants legal services it is expected that the board will go to the 1 1 1-2o-64 Town Counsel, and if the Town Counsel isnotin a position to provide such services as the board needs, he will accept the bill. On the other hand if the Planning Board or any other board goes off and wants to hire a lawyer for counsel, then it should be put on that board's appropriation. If the board wishes to present to the Town -Counsel its planning and zoning problems, and he desires to take them up with a consultant, then he will control the time spent with such consultant. He has no control over the time the board spends. If it is proper for the Planning Board, then it is proper for other boards to do the same. He suggests an item in the law department's budget be set aside for the Planning Board. -3- Mr. Legro then explained to the Board that after a subdivider has submitted a definitive plan and the board is about ready to approve it, the board will find out from the subdivider if he is going to give a covenant or an agreement and bond, and who the bond- ing company will be, and then forward this information to him. Mr. Legro left the meeting at 10:20 p.m. The Board approved the minutes of December 16 and 23, 1963 and January 6, 1964. - Also approved was a.bill of $10.00 from A.S.P.O. for advertising for Planning Director. Taken under consideration was the following Form A appli- cation for determination of Planning Board jurisdiction: #64-3, submitted January 17, 1964 by William E. Maloney by Harry G. Berglund, Agent; plan entitled 1?A Subdivi- sion of Land Court Case No. 31699 Land in Lexington, Mass.", scale: 111 = 801, dated January 16, 1964, Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: that the Lexington Planning Board determines that the plan accompanying Form A application #64-3 does not re- quire approval under the subdivision control law, and that said plan be so endorsed. The Board signed their Annual Report for 1963 (see adden- dum) Considered next was the request of Pond Realty Trust for a reduction in the amount of the performance bond being held in connection with Sec. 1 of Country Club Manor development. It was noted that the Planning Board had received a letter from Mr. Carroll, Supt. of Public Works, dated Jan. 17, 1964, stating that $2,000. would be a sufficient amount to cover the cost to, complete the streets and utilities to serve lots 5, 6, and 20 to 27 inclusive. An additional bond of $13,000. would be needed, however, as surety for the remaining streets and util- MINUTES BILL FORM A COUNTRY CLUB MANOR - SEC. 1 POND REALTY TRUST 1-2o-64 -4- ities in the subdivision; namely, those to serve lots 1 to 4 VOTED: to release the performance bond in the sum of $30,000. inclusive and 7 to 9 inclusive. All matters appearing to be in ' order, upon motion duly made and seconded,it was unanimously VOTED: the -Lexington Planning Board determines that $2,000. is -- a sufficieiht amount of security to hold for performance of the work required -to complete the streets and utili-` ties to serve lots 5; 6, and 20 to 27, inclusive, as shown on the subdivision plan entitled "Country Club Manor Section One Lexington, Mass.", dated February 23, 1960. An additional bond of $13,000. will be required as surety for the remaining streets and utilities in VINE BROOK the subdivision, namely those to serve lots 1 to 4, MEADOWS SEC.2 inclusive;-and'7 to 19;.inclusive. - A letter, dated November 6, 1963, from John Carroll, BOWSERS SADDLE Supt. of Public -Works having been received in which he stated CLUB ESTATES, that the work to -be Clone in the. "Bowser Saddle Club Estates, - SEC. 2 Sec. 2" had been completed to his satisfaction, and all other - matters appearing to be in order, upon motion duly made and TODD REALTY seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to release the performance bond in the sum of $30,000. dated November 5, 1962, filed by Mark Moore, Jr., Presi- dent of Todd Realty, Inc. as Principal, and The Travel- ers Indemnity Co. as Surety to secure the performance by`the subdivider of his agreement in the form of an application for approval of a definitive plan, Form C. i , dated August 28, 1962, to complete the work to be per- formed by the subdivider as shown on the plan entitled "Bowlers Saddle Club Estates Section Two Lexington, Masse.",- and dated August 15, 1962. Read to the Board was a letter from Mr. Tropeano, dated VINE BROOK January 6, 1964, requesting release of Lot 16 as shown on a MEADOWS SEC.2 plan entitled "Vine Brook Meadows Section Two Lexington, Mass.", - dated June 12, 1960. (See addendum.) Also read to the board VINE BROOK was a letter from John Carroll, Supt. of Public Works, dated REALTY TRUST January 17, 1964, advising that the ways and utilities to serve this particular lot have been completed. (See addendum.) Upon motion suly made and seconded; it was unanimously .- VOTED: to release from the provisions of a covenant Lot #16 only as shown on the subdivision plan entitled ItVine Brook Meadows Section Two Lexington, Mass.", and dated June 12, 1960. It was -noted -that a petition -bearing 100 certified signa- REZONING tures had been received from I. W. Douglas, representing Lexing- PROPOSALS tonPlazi Trust, requesting that an article be placed on the warrant for the annual town meeting to change certain land on Bedford Street from an R 1 to a C 2 district. A date for hearing will be set later when all requests for rezoning have been re- , ceived. 1-20-64 There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m. -Roland B. Greeley, Clerk --------------- ANNUAL REPORT To the Honorable Board of Selectmen -Lexington, Massachusetts Gentlemen: -5- In March of 1963, the Planning Board published a report entitled "Phase I: Summary Report." This report reviews the Board's philosophy, states re- sults of studies, and makes specific recommendations for future action. In effect, this report is a portion of'the "master plan" and all inter- ested citizens are urged to obtain a copy at the Planning Board office. Because the "Phase I: Summary Report" is comprehensive and was recently ' published, this annual report will be confined to a few selected items. Zoning The Board this year was primarily concerned with work on a complete re- vision of the Zoning By-laws affecting general and local business districts. Proposed major revisions to be presented for the town's consideration in the future will in part include: modification of existing C 1 uses; crea- tion of a new, so-called "Tradesmen's Park" district; and creation of a "neighborhood business1t district. As part of their major revisions, the Board has already presented, and the recent special town meeting has al- ready voted, zoning legislation to create a new "Small office district (C 4) Conservation Commission The Board supported an article at the recent special town meeting to create a Town Conservation Commission. Under the law the Lexington Con- servation Commission is charged with several responsibilities closely allied to those of the Planning Board. After members of the Commission have been appointed by the Selectmen, the Planning Board looks forward to cooperating and working with the newly formed Commission. Planning Director The employment of Samuel P. Snow, Planning Director since 1954, terminated ' June, 1963. The Board hopes from time to time to draw upon Mr. Snow's 1-20-64 -6- special talents, thorough understanding of ,the town, and complete familiarity of the Townts planning needs in his new capacity as in- ' demendent planning consultant. Since June, 1963 the Board has been actively seeking a full time re- placement for Mr. Snow and the Board is now acutely aware of the need, importance, and desirability of obtaining the full time services of a professional planner. The Planning Board greatly appreciates the cooperation given this year by other town boards, the League of Women Voters, the Town Meeting Members Association, and developers. LEAINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Robert E. Meyer, Chairman /s/ Arthur E. Bryson Is/ Joseph A. Campbell /s/ Roland B. Greeley /s/ Irving H. Mabee ---------------- January 6, 1964 Mr. John J. Carroll Town Office Building Lexington 73, Massachusetts In re: Lot 16 Vine Brook Realty Trust Dear Mr. Carroll: The Trust is under agreement to sell Lot 16 as shown ,on a plan entitled TTVine Brook Meadows Section 21t dated June 12, 1960, Albert A. Miller - Wilbur 0. Nylander, Civil Engineers, duly recorded with Middlesex South District Registry of !feeds in Book 9762, Page 142. Before thedeedcan be delivered I will need a document suitable for recording executed by the Planning Board releasing this -lot from the agreement between the Trust and the Town. As you may recall, the Trust deposited a check in the sum of $1,000. as a surety for the completion of Section 1 and these lots were released by the Planning Board. -Will you please look into this matter and if you are of the opinion that the lot can be safely released from the Town's point of view, will you please ,let the Planning Board know. If you have any questions, please call me. If you so recommend and the Planning Board follows your recommendations, if you will let me know I will draft the release of the covenant and forward'it to Mr. Legro for approval. This will expedite the matter. With best regards, I remain ' Very truly yours, /s/ Alfred P. Tropeano 1-20-64 January 17, 1961 ' Planning Board Town Office Building Lexington, Massachusetts Re: Lot 16 Vine Brook Realty Trust Gentlemen: -7- Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Mr. Tropeano regarding Lot 16 Vine Brook Meadows, Section 2. Please be advised that the ways and utilities to serve this particular lot have been completed. This does not imply that the ways or utilities. to serve any other lot in this section have also been completed. Very truly yours, /s/ John J. Carroll, Supt. of Public Works & 'Town Engineer JJC/ccd cc: Mr. A. P. 'Tropeano Encl. n 1