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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-01-18PLANNING BQARD MEETING ' January 18, 1965 Mr. Bryson mentioned the possibility of other solutions, such as the elimination of parking on Mass. Ave. or the crea- tion of a new district, so that its regulations wouldn't apply to other C 2 districts. The chairman then asked whether it was a fact that offices are not now needed in the center, and asked what the prohibition of apartments was worth tothe own- ers. Mr. Maienza pointed out that apartments are needed in Lexington now. Mr. Greeley questioned the desirability of apartments in the center. Mr. Greeley asked for the possi- bility of delay to complete a six -months study, if one year's delay was too much, referring to the pending study of the cen- tral business district, which may produce valuable recommenda- tions. Mr. Meyer joined the meeting at this point. The owners reiterated that they already suffered financial losses and any further delay would be quite costly. Mr. Conroy questioned the harm to the study by rebuilding the properties in advance of it, and stated that financial losses due to delay should be borne by the Town. The owners retired at 8:25 p.m. Mr. Donald Sleeper, Attorney, met with the Board and requested the reduction of sureties on Ingleside Rd. and the release of the next section in $18,000 surety, combining it with the remaining sureties. The Board voted to authorize the Town Counsel to draw up and execute the necessary instruments. IhGLESIDE RD. KINGSTON HOMES The Lexington Planning Board held a regular meeting in its office, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 18, 1965. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bryson at 7:30 p.m. with members Campbell, Greeley and Riffin, and Planning Direc- tor Zaleski present. Messrs. Trani, Maienza, Stephen, and Atty. Fred Conroy met with the Board to discuss the renovation of their proper- WIDENING OF ties on Massachusetts ave. Mr. Conroy recapitulated the past MASS. AVE. history of negotiations by the Town compensating the owners of the Hunt block for the damage due to widening of Mass. Ave. which would necessitate total destruction of buildings. Mr. Conroy said that the owners want to retain the existing uses, including apartments, although they do not intend to have mixed residential and business uses on one floor. A new building would cover the entire land - about 15,000 sq.ft. The value of third floor dedicated to apartments is estimated by the owners at $300,000. The Selectmen have asked the owners not to enter into any particularly long-term leases, pending the decision on the widening of Massachusetts Ave. Chairman Bryson mentioned that he understands from Mr. Trani that at least one potential tenant cannot now close the lease, which means financial loss to the owners. Mr. Maienza then showed an architect's sketch of the possible remodeling of the two buildings. Mr. Bryson mentioned the possibility of other solutions, such as the elimination of parking on Mass. Ave. or the crea- tion of a new district, so that its regulations wouldn't apply to other C 2 districts. The chairman then asked whether it was a fact that offices are not now needed in the center, and asked what the prohibition of apartments was worth tothe own- ers. Mr. Maienza pointed out that apartments are needed in Lexington now. Mr. Greeley questioned the desirability of apartments in the center. Mr. Greeley asked for the possi- bility of delay to complete a six -months study, if one year's delay was too much, referring to the pending study of the cen- tral business district, which may produce valuable recommenda- tions. Mr. Meyer joined the meeting at this point. The owners reiterated that they already suffered financial losses and any further delay would be quite costly. Mr. Conroy questioned the harm to the study by rebuilding the properties in advance of it, and stated that financial losses due to delay should be borne by the Town. The owners retired at 8:25 p.m. Mr. Donald Sleeper, Attorney, met with the Board and requested the reduction of sureties on Ingleside Rd. and the release of the next section in $18,000 surety, combining it with the remaining sureties. The Board voted to authorize the Town Counsel to draw up and execute the necessary instruments. IhGLESIDE RD. KINGSTON HOMES 1-18-65 EMERSON GARDENS Mr. William Maloney then met with the Board and re- quested the release of the next section of Emerson Road in EMERSON GARDENS the Emerson Gardens development by extending the existing REALTY TRUST $30,000 surety to cover the new section to Station 10+00. The Board agreed to the release provided the surety is ade- quate, and voted to authorize the Town Counsel to prepare and execute the necessary instruments. -2- Mr. John J. Carroll, Town Engineer, next met with RELOCATION OF the Board and presented a plan indicating a proposed reloca- WORTHEN ROAD tion of Worthen Rd. in the Evangelical Covenant Church land to avoid going through deep peat with road and sewer. Mr. Garroll suggested that if Worthen Rd. were relocated to a higher ground nearer Allen St. the northeasterly portion of the Church land could probably be acquired by the Town. The Board discussed the proposal and the consensus of opinion was in favor of it. The Board decided to so advise the Con- servation Commission of the Board's views on this. Mr. Roth and Mr. Morehead, Atty., met with the Board 1775 HOUSE and objected to the proposed rezoning of the 1775 House on REZONING Pleasant St. to R 1 from C 1. Mr. Morehead indicated that the property is now not in use because of several takings by the State for the Rte. 2 widening. The operations were stopped in March of 1963 even though the State permitted temporary operations, because of uncertainty as to what will happen. No other uses could be found because of the uncer- tainty as to future construction. The property is assessed as business property, paying $1,913 and $110 in taxes on the two parcels, assessed for $44,000 and $2,800. Mr. Morehead pointed out that the rezoning would impair the flexibility regarding the use of land, even if it were permitted to con - tine as a non -conforming use, and thus reduce its value. The Board then adjourned to attend the meeting with MASS. AVE. the Selectmen to discuss the ways in which Mass. Ave. can WIDENING be widened in view of the request by owners for permission to maintain apartments in new buildings. "THE ORCHARD" Upon the return from the meeting with the Selectmen - it was voted to extend the time for action on "The Orchard" HALL subdivision to and including February 2, 1965, as requested in writing by Mr. Ralph Hall. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of January 11, 1965 were approved. The Planning Directors memo on Muzzey St. was dis- MUZZEY ST. cussed and it was decided to invite all property owners REZONING concerned in the rezoning of the area between Muzzey and Waltham St. for a meeting to discuss the future plans for the area. 1 1 1 1-18-65 -3- It was decided not to invite any more planning con- sultants for the long range financial study. It was decided after a brief discussion to advise the Conservation Commission that the Board favors exclusion CATALDO LAND of lots on Marrett Rd., Stedman Rd. between Brookside Rd. and Franklin School and on Allen St. from the proposed pur- chase for conservation of the Cataldo land known as Swenson Farm. The release of lots on Mohawk Drive was signed by the MOHAWK DR. Planning Board. The tentative schedule of public hearings on zoning PUBLIC articles was discussed and it was decided to hold public HEARINGS hearings on February 10, 113 15, and 17, 1965. The meeting adjourned at 11;35 P.M. e Natalie H. Riffin Clerk