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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-04-26PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' April 26, 1965 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held on Monday, April 26, 1965 in its office, Town Office Building. The meeting was called to order at 7:50 by Chair- man Bryson, with Members Campbell, Fowle, Greeley and Riffin, and Secretary Macomber present. It being the annual Lexington Student Government Day the following five Lexington High School students represent- STUDENT GOV- ing the Planning Board were also present: Janice Basile, EM*MT DAY Carl Berliner, Linda Dodd,Lyndon Wilkes, and April Works. The minutes of meetings of March 29 and April 12, MINUTES 1965 were approved. Mr. Fowle reported on a committee meeting held to study "cluster zoning-" He stated that in this type of CLUSTER zoning the same amount of houses would be built in a given ZONING area but that each house could be built on a smaller lot than usually called for and the accumulated amount of land used for community purposes or just open space. In other words, the overall density of building would be the same but the distribution would be different. This might be imprac- tical where portions of land would be unsuitable for build- ing, and it is proposed to find out how'many and where such areas are in town. The committee is to study the matter further and a report will be given the Planning Board. At 8:00 p.m. Mr. Jules Sussman, Chairman of the Con- servation Commission, met with the Board in connection with VINE BROOK the Oak Park development. A 100 ft. easement along Vine CONSERVATION Brook abuts one side of this proposed subdivision and the Commission feels that additional land on both sides would be very desirable. It is not as pretty as many brooks, but in many places nature has taken hold and there are maples and birchs which are very beautiful as well as supporting wild life. It makes a pleasant walk from the Burnham Farms area down to the Center, and could be readily improved. Although the Commission does not feel that they want to push it at this time they do wish to bring it to the attention of the Planning Board so they may look into the matter. Mr. Suss- man left at 8:50 p.m. Action on Oak Park Circle subdivision was deferred OAK PARK until next week in order that the above matter might be CIRCLE further considered. Plans submitted with the following Form A applica- tions were reviewed by the Board: 4-26-65 -2- #65-14, submitted April 20, 1965 by Mrs. Paul Yphantis; , FORMS A plan entitled "Plan of Land Showing subdivision of Lot 201 in Lexington, Mass.", Scale: 1" = 201, dated April lb, 1965, Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. #65-15, submitted April 21, 1965 by Ralph H. Hall; plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated April 16, 1965, Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. #65-16, submitted April 26, 1965 by Joseph Casello; plan entitled „Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated April 16, 1965, Miller & Nylander, C.E.'s & Surveyors. #65-17, submitted April 26, 1965 by Town of Lexington, R. L. Higgins, Asst. Engr.; plan entitled "Plan of Alter- ation & Relocation of Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, Mass.", dated Jan. 8, 1965, John J. Carroll, Town Engineer #65-18, submitted by Town of Lexington, R. L. Higgins, Asst. Engr.; plan entitled "Plan of Land Showing Proposed Takings in Lexington, Mass.", dated Jan. 8, 1965, John J. Carroll, Town Engineer. It was unanimously voted to endorse the plans as not re- quiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law. The plans were so endorsed. ' All matters appearing to be in order, upon motion duly PINE KNOLL made and seconded, it was unanimously SEC. ONE VOTED: to approve the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Pine OUTHET Knoll Section One Lexington, Mass.", dated Oct. 23, 1964., Albert A. Miller and Wilbur C. Nylander, Civil Engineers, and Surveyors, subject to the terms and conditions of the Covenant given by the applicants Ernest E. and Sarah A. Outhet on April 8, 1965, and to name the way in the sub- division shown on the above plans "Tricorn Road." THE ORCHARD A Covenant and Grant of Easements having been received from Mr. Ralph Hall, it was voted to approve the subdivision HALL plan entitled "The Orchard Sec. One Lexington, Mass.", dated Sept. 22, 1964, Miller & Nylander, Civil Engineers & Surveyors. GREEN VALLEY A definitive subdivision plan, Form C. entitled "Green SEC. 7 Valley Section 7 Lexington, Mass.", dated December 10, 1961, Miller & Nylander, Civil Engineers & Surveyors, was submitted ANTONIO BUSA by Antonio Busa. No action was taken pending receipt of recom- mendations from Town Engineer Mr. Carroll. Also the Planning Board was instructed to check with Town Counsel and see if the tax title lots on Circle Rd. above this subdivision have been sold to Mr. Busa and also if the adjoining piece of Circle Rd. has been improved. 1 1 4-26-65 The students left the meeting at 9:00 o'clock. Mr. Grindle's preliminary plan of Rowland Ave. Exten- sion having been reviewed, it was decided to notify him that said plan was approved and he may go ahead with preparation of a definitive plan. A letter to the Selectmen was signed re: articles for warrant for special town meeting to be held in June. (See addenda.) The question of rezoning in the vicinity of the Maney property was brought up and it was decided to discuss this matter further next week. -3- ROWLAND AVE.E%T. GRINDLE ARTICLES FOR TOWN MEETING It was decided to accept Mr. Norman Abend Is proposal for a review and evaluation of data relative to Emerson Rd. EMERSON RD. and a signed copy of the proposal and a letter were sent to him. (See addenda.) A letter was received from the Building Inspector ask- ing the Board's opinion as to the status of Depot Place. It DEPOT PLACE was decided that as far as the feeling of the Board was con- cerned Depot Place was considered to be a "street" but that Torn Counsel should rule on the rights of the Town in it, and also that it should be pointed out that if the ten feet adja- cent to Depot Place is to be covered by building, the owners would be creating for themselves a problem for the Board does not believe the Town should tolerate the obstruction of any town ways or sidewalks by trucks being loaded or unloaded. (See addenda.) A letter was read from the Bedford Conservation Com- mission re: danger in spraying the dump area with oil. A letter to the Selectmen was signed setting forth a ZONING VIOLA - number of zoning violations taking place in town. (See adden- TIONS da.) The question of straightening out Pelham Rd. was again brought up and previous correspondence reviewed, most of it PELHAM RD. dating back to 1963. It was decided to ask the Planning Director to study the matter and make a recommendation to the Board. A letter was read from J. J. Carroll, Town Engineer, COLONIAL ACRES re: unfinished work still remaining in Colonial Acres, Sec. 3 SEC. 3 This letter is referred to the Planning Director. Also read was a letter from the Woodhaven area resi- dents re: conservation. Copies of,letters were read from the planning Director; 4-26-65 -4- to Mr. and Mrs. George Barnes re: their proposal for subdivision off Mass. Ave., and to the Board of Appeals recording opposition to the petitions of Mr. Jack Sarnessian and Mr. Christopher Cammarata. (See addenda.) Also noted were a notice of Annual Meeting of Mass. Fed. of Planning Boards, minutes of Selectmen's meetings of March 22, 29 and April 5, and Conservation Commission's meeting of April 13, 1965. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Natalie H. Riffin, Clerk h0101S�l April 26, 1965 Board of Selectmen Town Office Building Lexington, Mass. He: Articles for Warrant Gentlemen: The Planning Board would like to insert four articles in the Warrant for June 7+ 1965 special town meeting. 1. Acquisition of Lidberg property (text same as Art. 73 of the 1965 annual town meeting). 2. Exchange of land with Castoldi (text same as Art. 74 of the 1965 annual town meeting). 3• Renaming of Franklin Ave. to Evergreen Lane, to be done in con- junction with renaming of Franklin Ave. in Arlington by Arlington Selectmen (text enclosed). !�. Extension of Barrymeade Dr., a Selectmen's article based on public necessity and convenience, tentative text enclosed. The Planning Board believes that the defeat of the Lidberg land acqui- sition article was due largely to the lateness of the hour. We hope that the above articles will not be placed at the end of the warrant and that the Selectmen will support the articles and request the Superintendent of Public Works to marshal facts and figures for such support. The laying out of Barrymeade Dr. will presumably require a 1 4-26-65 public hearing by the Selectmen. Enc. cc: Town Counsel Kr. Norman A. Abend 304 Concord Road Wayland, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Abend: -5- Very truly yours, LEYtNGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Arthur E. Bryson, Jr., Chairman April 26,'1965 The Lexington Planning Board has accepted your proposal for the two phase review and evaluation of data justifying the overall concept of Emerson Road with particular emphasis on the section from Grove St. to Adams St. A signed copy of your proposal is returned herewith. You are aware of the fact that any delay in the delivery Of your reports would have a substantial detrimental effect on the usefulness of your study because of the May 19 meeting. Our planning director, Mr. ' Zaleski, will discuss any further details or questions you may have. Please keep in mind that the Planning Board's main reason for pro- posing Emerson Road is to handle in -town traffic when the town has reached its full growth (population arounT7U;W6-as opposed to the present popu- lation of 32,000), not to handle through traffic. In this connection the recently completed Ta—nd-use study should be helpful to you in estimating the number of families who would use Emerson Road in (say) 1980. Please notice particularly the area north of Route 128 between Bedford Street and Route 3 which is relatively unpopulated at the present time. The Planning Board sees Emerson Road as (1) a collector road for Lexington residents going to and from Boston and (2) a circulatory road allowing residents to travel to and from points within the town without having to go in and out of the center (going around the hub of the wheel instead of radially in and out). I would like to talk with you briefly about the review at your earliest convenience. You can reach me at my office on UN 8-7600, Exten- sion 2848 or in the evenings at my home 862-0607. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur E. Bryson, Jr., Chairman Enc. - - -- - - - - - - - - 4-26-65 Donald K. Irwin From Alexander V. Zaleski Re: Depot Place Dear Don: 10 April 30, 1965 Following our telephone conversation, I've looked up the records on the status of "Depot Placer and find that it has been laid out and accepted as a town way by a unanimous vote of the special town meeting on Novem- ber 8, 1956 under Art. 21 of the warrant. The above vote did not include a name of this street, so that it may be necessary to officially name it. Very truly yours, Is/ Alexander V. Zaleski, Planning Director April 16, 1965 Board of Selectmen Town office Building Lexington, Mass. Re: Violations of Zoning By - Gentlemen: The businesses listed below appear to be operating in violation of the Zoning By -Law of the Town of Lexington. They have been brought to the attention of the Planning Board verbally and by mail. We wish to request through the Selectmen, that the Building Inspector investigate these com- mercial uses in accordance with his responsibility, as described in Sec- tion 12 of the Zoning By -Law. 1. The area around 435-443 Lincoln St. between Scheibe Park and the Edison Easement. Located on this R 1 property is a collection of burned auto- mobiles, an active repair yard, and old buildings used as warehouses by the Lexington Furniture Company. 2. 112 Spring St. opposite Shade St. This residence is reported to be used as the base and shop for an electrician. At 8:00 a.m. week days six or more trucks are parked there. 3. 915 Waltham St. The G & W Transportation Company is located in a C 1 zone. Several large trailer trucks are parked behind the office which is attached to Hardy's Garage. The trucking business is not listed as a permitted use in a local business district. 4. 750 Concord Highway. tir. Benjamin Greene is operating an antique busi- ness, a use not included among the permitted uses in a one -family dwell- ing district. We would appreciate being informed of the results of the Building Inspec- J 1 u 4-26-65 -7- tors investigation. Only through fair and equitable enforcement ' can the Zoning By -Law retain the respect and support of the citi- zens of the town. Sincerely, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Arthur E. Bryson, Jr., Chairman cc: Building Inspector April 13, 1965 Board of Appeals Town Office Building Lexington, Mass. Re: Petition of Jack Sarnessian Gentlemen: Referrinc- to the petition of Mr. Jack Sarnessian to divide the lot at #141 Lowell St. into two lots, one of which would have 108 ft. front- age, the Planning Board wishes to point out that the lot of #111 Lowell St. actually contains 105,295 sq.ft. and has 338.7± ft. front- age and that the effect of granting this petition would be the divi- sion of this lot into three lots with frontages of 108k, 152 and 79.69 ' ft., establishing an additional non -conforming lot not mentioned in the petition. If the petition is for a variance and based on alleged hardship, it is important that the Board of Appeals be aware of all pertinent facts. It is understood that the petitioner intends to acquire additional front- age for the third lot to be established by the Board of Appeals; however this is a matter of stated intention which may never become a fact. Yours very truly, LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD /s/ Alexander V. Zaleski Planning Director April 13, 1965 Board of Appeals Town Office Building Lexington, Mass. Ret Petition of Christopher J. Cammarata Gentlemen: The Planning Board wishes to be recorded in opposition to the granting by the Board of Appeals of a permit for a free-standing sign at #334 Woburn St. As can be seen on the attached plan, the telephone pole is located with- in the right-of-way of Woburn St., a State road, and the proposed sign would apparently be located within the limits of the State road. The 4 -26-65 no sign would furthermore be located in a right-of-way as indicated on , Mr. Cammarata's building permit plot plan and would interfere with access to the gas station via the right-of-way and to the parking area of #334 Woburn St. (right-of-way and access shaded pink on the enclosed plan). The proposed sign, located in part in a State road and in part on a lot where there is already insufficient room for maneuvering to enter or leave a parking stall, would further detract from the safety and convenience of traffic in this heavily traveled area. Very truly yours, LEXINGTON PLANNING BQARD /s/ Alexander V. Zaleski Planning Director 1 1