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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-12-14PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' December 14, 1964 The Lexington Planning Board held a regular meeting in its office, Town Office Building, on December 14, 1964. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Meyer at 8:00 p.m. with members Bryson, Campbell, Greeley and Riffin, and Planning Director Zaleski present. At 8:00 p.m. the advertised public hearing on "The Orchard," subdivision (extension of Bloomfield St.) was held on application of Ralph H. Hall, Trustee of S & A Trust. NIr. Hall explained that he proposed to extend Bloom- field St. and end it in a cul-de-sac and divide the land in six lots. Sewer and drain would be connected to Sherburne Rd. and water extended in Bloomfield St. from the existing main. Mr. Clay asked whether Bloomfield St. between the limit of acceptance and the proposed subdivision will stay as is. Mr. Meyer quoted from a letter from the Town Counsel stating that the section of street in question would qualify as a legal way if it meets the requirements of the Planning Board ' as to construction, etc. A question was asked whether the developer will be required to refinish Sherburne Rd. In reply to Meyer read a letter from the Town Engineer regarding the details of con- struction, including the work to be done in connecting util- ities in Sherburne Rd. Several of the abuttors questioned whether the developer had the right to connect to a sewer in a private way. Mr. May asked of Mr. Hall whether he intended to improve the existing portion of Bloomfield St. and Mr. Hall replied that he didn't know what rights he had regarding the improvements, but that at present he had no plans to do any- thing. Mr. Barclay questioned the plans regarding the ease- ment over his lot; he was told that this is a private matter beyond the jurisdiction of the Planning Board. An abuttor asked whether the sewer capacity is ade- quate and was told that in the opinion of the Superintendent of Public Works it is. owner of 35 Sherburne Rd. (DeMichaelis) and all abuttors wish to be notified of the decision of the Planning Board, but the majority of the Board members decided against it to preclude a precedent. The hearing was declared closed at 8:50 P.m - 1 Next a duly advertised public hearing was held on the "THE ORCHARD" HALL 12-14-64 _Q_ revision of the Minute Man Highlands, Section 4 subdivision A=TE MAN on application of Girrac Realty Trust, Robert W. Carrig, HIGHLANDS Trustee. SEC. 4 in the office of the Selectmen relative to the location of _ Mr. Carrig explained that this was an amendment of a GIRRAC REALTY - plan previously approved and was necessitated due to a re- CAMG location of right-of-way access to Pleasant St. by the State. Mr. Meyer asked about the location of Worthen Rd. pavement within the right-of-way in such a way as to reduce the slope on the land of Cunningham.. Mr. Meyer read two letters from the Town Engineer relative to Sheet 11 of the 1962 subdivi- sion, which is missing, and relative to the extension of CONSERVATION pavement to Pleasant St. by the developer as a part of the COT,B4ISSION 1964 revision. Mr. Carrig agreed to furnish Sheet 11 and to - add note to the plan relative to the connection of pavement CATALDO LAND to Pleasant St. by the developer with reimbursement by the Town for extra width. Mr. Meyer next read a letter from the Town Counsel to the Board of Health suggesting a possible change in the conditions of the Board of Health approval. Mr. Carrig agreed to grant the Town the customary easements as required by the Town. Mr. Meyer explained to the abuttors in the audience the scope of the subdivision and of the proposed revision. T=ES The minutes of the meeting of December 7 were approved. The Planning Board then attended a brief meeting with SCHOOL BITE the Selectmen, the School Committee, School Sites Committee, - Appropriations Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee PEACOCK FARM in the office of the Selectmen relative to the location of AREA a new school on the Lucky Penny Trust next to the Peacock Farms subdivision. Mr. Meyer was asked about the location of Emerson Rd. in this area and replied that Emerson Rd. is now proposed to be built by developers according to so- called Scheme III proposed by the Town Engineer. Mr. Meyer remained with the Selectmen after this meeting and the Board resumed its meeting in its office. The Conservation Commission and Mr. Anthony Cataldo CONSERVATION then met with the Board and Mr. Sussman outlined a proposal COT,B4ISSION that 40 acres of Mr. Cataldo's land at Marrett Rd. known as - Swenson Farm be rezoned A 1 and the remaining 35 acres CATALDO LAND would be given by Mr. Cataldo to the town. Mr. Cataldo would also plant trees, etc. on Town land along the land to be rezoned. Alternatives were discussed, including the pur- chase of all or part of Cataldo land by the Town. Mr. Cataldo suggested that he would not consider selling the land for less than $21x0,000. and that he would not be inter= ested in selling the portion of the land which has the trees 12-14-64 -3- on it, since it is the most valuable portion. Mr. Sussman suggested that limitations may be placed on the number of apartments as a condition of rezoning. Mr. Ells and Mr. Ripley pointed out that if Cataldo land is developed for houses, the wooded highland would have to be used to fill the low land. Mr. Campbell suggested that cluster zoning may be the answer to this area. Mr. Cataldo said that small lots in this area would create a slum and would not be as desirable or attractive as apartments. Mr. Cataldo also offered to accept a density of 6-8units per. acre. Mr. Bryson suggested that he would not support the A 1 rezoning and did not think the Town Meeting would ever vote in favor of this rezoning. Mr. Greeley said that at this point the Board could not encourage Mr. Cataldo to spend money on prelmminary plans. Mr. Sussman men- tioned that the State could not reimburse $120,000 -of the $2hO,000 for the entire land, but could reimburse $40,000 a year for three years. Mr. Campbell suggested that the Plan- ning Director be asked to look into this matter and make recom- mendations and the Board decided to do so. Mr. Meyer reported 'that the Selectmen were considering widening Mass. Ave. at the Hunt Block 26 ft. and that the MASS. AVE. Town would pay $106,000 for the widening and give 1800 sq.ft. WIDENING -HUNT ' of land in back and at Depot Square to the owners of the Hunt BLOCK Block, namely, 1775 Realty Trust. Mr. Greeley suggested that the Board support the proposal but not enter into the ques- 1775 REALTY, INC. tion of price. Mr..Greeley also suggested that the recom- mendations of Economic Development Associates be evaluated before any action is taken. Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously VOTED: to approve the Jackson Estates subdivision subject to JACKSON ESTATES the conditions that municipal services be installed and - ways constructed to serve all lots as shown on said TODD REALTY plan and in accordance with all terms and conditions contained in the "Application for Approval of Defini- tive Plan" (Form C) dated September 30, 1964, and sub- ject to the conditions that the level of the cellar floor of any building or structure erected or placed on lots 3 through 9, inclusive, shall not be lower than 213 feet above mean sea level, 1927 datum, and subject to the condition that no building or structure shall be erected or placed on Lot 6 until approval by the Lex- ington Planning Board of the surface drainage from Lot 6 and, in any event, not earlier than May 31, 1965, and to name the street in this subdivision "Brigham Road." LONGFELLOW EST. Mr. Farmer's request for reduction of surety for Long- fellow Estates subdivision was considered and it was FARMER 12-14_60 -4- The meeting adjourned at 11:40 p.m. kl�6. Roland B. Greeley Clerk 1 C 1 VOTED: to reduce the surety in that subdivision to $5,000. LIDBERG Planning director's letter to Selectmen re: Lidberg land acquisition at Adams St. was approved. Mr. Stevens' proposal for rezoning of land at Wal- tham St. and Concord Ave. to C 1 for a gas station was dis- cussed. The Board is opposed to the rezoning as not being justified by needs of the Town in the area and detrimental to traffic conditions. Board of Appeals notices of hearings to be held on BOARD OF APPEALS January 5, 1965 were read and noted as follows: Muriel HEARINGS York, James Catalano, Donald Benedict, Robert Strong, Alessandro Morelli, David Yphantis, William Potter (2} Myron Graffam. Letters from the Board of Selectmen were read and CORRESPONDENCE noted as follows: re: warrant closing date; re: annual 1964 report of Planning Board; minutes of November 301 meeting. Letter from Charles Downe acknowledging appointment with the Board was noted and placed on file. Letter to Eric Kula was placed on file. Budget sheets received from the Town Accountant were distributed to members. Memo from the Planning Director relative to pro - WAREHOUSE PRO- posed Weyerhauser warehouse south of Hinchey Rd. at Hart- well Avenue was read and discussed. The Board felt that from the zoning viewpoint the proposed use was not objec- tionable and that the Board of Appeals was primarily con- cerned with the variances requested. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 p.m. kl�6. Roland B. Greeley Clerk 1 C 1