The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1965-09-13PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' September 13, 1965 A regular meeting of the Lexington Flaming Board was held on Monday, September 13, 1965. The meeting was called to order by Vice-chairman Campbell at 7:30 a.m. with Members Fowle, Greeley and Riffin, and Planning Director Zaleski present. Mr. Antonio Busa met with the Board, submitted a Grant of Easements for Green Valley, Section 7 subdivision, explain- GREEN VALLEY ing that the surety bond was in the hands of the insurance SEC. 7 company, and requested the approval of lots 1, 2, 3 and 9 in the Green Valley Sec. 7 subdivision. Mr. Campbell read a A. BUSA letter from the Town Counsel, dated September 13, 1965. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to approve the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Green Valley Section Seven Lexington, Mass.", dated December 10, 1964, by Albert A. Miller and Wilbur C. Nylander, Civil Engineers and Surveyors, subject to the condition that 1. Lots 4, 53 6, 7 and 8 as shown on said plan shall not be conveyed and no building or structure shall ' be erected or placed on said lots 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 until a street providing an adequate second means of access satisfactory to the Lexington Planning Board shall be constructed from the southerly terminus of Circle Road on this subdivision plan to Hillcrest Rd. in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Lexington Planning Board. 2. A temporary turnaround shall be constructed and maintained on Circle Rd., as shown on the plan, un- til such second access is constructed. 3. Within the statutory 20 days appeal period, the owner, Antonio Busa, shall furnish a surety bond in the penal sum of $25,000. to guarantee the construc- tion of ways and the installation of municipal ser- vices as shown on said subdivision plan and in strict compliance with the rules and eegulations of the Lexington Planning Board, which bond shall be in a form satisfactory to the Town Counsel. And subject to the approval by the Town Counsel of the surety bond to be furnished by the owner, Antonio Busa, to guarantee the construction of ways and the installation of municipal services. Messrs. Sussman, Ells, Garrity and Smith of the Con- CONSERVATION servation Commission met with the Board to discuss policies COMMISSION and other issues of mutual interest. Memorandum prepared by 9-13-65 -2- MEMO to Members of Lexington Planning Board Tonight's discussion with the Conservation Commission is intended to clarify policies, promote better working relationship and in- tegrate the acquisition of conservation land into the overall orderly planning process. The suggested topics for discussion w - clude: 1. What is the goal for conservation land acquisition - either in acres or as a percentage of total area and which lands should be counted as conservation lands - parts of school land, playtrounds, sell parks, M.M. National Park? ' 2. What criteria should be used for the selection of land for con- the Planning Director was distributed to the members of both the Board and the Commission. Mr. Sussman suggested that at least 700 acres more or less is the figure of land acreage to be ' acquired for conservation, recreation and other related purposes. Various parcels of land of possible interest for acquisition as conservation land were discussed. (See addendum) At 6:45 the Conservation Commission withdrew and the meeting was adjourned to the office of the Selectmen for a dis- cussion of the Rte. 2 -Watertown St. interchange layout, after which the Board returned to its office. RINUTES Minutes of meetings of August 24 and Sept. 7, 1965 were approved. BILL A bill for $715. for E.D.A. planning studies for Lexing- ton Center was approved for payment. The proposed newspaper release regarding the proposed zoning changes was discussed. It was decided to distribute it to T.M.M.A. Land Use Committee and to prepare a news release con- taining less statistical information. ADAMS ESTATES Adams Estates, Sec. b plans were reviewed and it was de - SEC. u - cided to authorize the Town Counsel to prepare the instruments CASTOLDI for the approval of this subdivision. CARP ACRES, SEC -4 Cary Acres Sec. G plans were signed. ' The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Natalie H. Riffin, Clerk MEMO to Members of Lexington Planning Board Tonight's discussion with the Conservation Commission is intended to clarify policies, promote better working relationship and in- tegrate the acquisition of conservation land into the overall orderly planning process. The suggested topics for discussion w - clude: 1. What is the goal for conservation land acquisition - either in acres or as a percentage of total area and which lands should be counted as conservation lands - parts of school land, playtrounds, sell parks, M.M. National Park? ' 2. What criteria should be used for the selection of land for con- 9-13-65 52 servation, bearing in mind that oar town must serve other needs besides ' conservation and that the overall land use must be balanced: minimum size, dimensions (width or length), soil quality, presence of municipal improvements, development of surrounding areas, location within Lexington, price per acre and total cost. 3• Until the long range study is completed and recommendations within its ccMrerehensive framework accepted by the Planning Board some time around to 151b8Annual Town Meeting, what are the immediate plans of the Con- servation Commission for the next two years. It should be hoped that a plan for the land acquisition exists and that the Conservation Commission 3oes not intend to hop all over the town grabbing whatever land they can, no matter what size, location, physical character or price. Such helter- skelter approach would greatly endanger the orderly development of the town. 4. The only conservation easement in town has been obtained by the Planning Board in Vine Brook -Oak Park subdivision. What can Conservation Commis- sion tell us about their progress in the area of easements and of arrange- ments for reduced assessments on land restricted by conservation ease- ments. 5• What does Conservation Commission expect from the Planning Board, how can we assist them in formulating and implementing their plans in an orderly .manner with a due regard for other needs of the town? ' 6. What provisions have been made for the maintenance of vacant public land, including both the existing and the future acquisitions, work such as fire lanes, drainage, planting, access, ponds, dams, bridges, shelters, picnic or camp sites, etc. It is my recommendation that the town set an approximate total acreage of open land that should be preserved, establish guidelines as to location, physical character, minimum and maximum dimensions of parcels and maximum annual budget, with due regard for other needs of the town. This policy should be made public and adhered to. Conservation Commmission should meet with the Selectmen and Assessors to discuss the possibilities for the reduc- tion of assessments on conservation easements. The Town Meeting should be asked to appropriate a sum of money annually earmarked for the maintenance of conservation lands, to be expended under the direction of the Conservation Commission either (preferably) by town forces, or by outside contractors. Maintenance and improvements should be according to a general (not detailed) plan prepared by a qualified landscape architect (S. Snow?) engaged by the Conservation Commission. I� is my belief that the Conservation Commission will get further by considering its task as one of several important town development objectives, but bearing in mind that the town has to provide for other equally important needs. The answer is comprehensive planning and not each committee or group pulling in its direction. Alexander V. Zaleski Planning Director 9-13-65 -3- Lexington Town & Recreational Lands Open Lands 395.13 acres Major park additions 42 acres Playgrounds 99.20 Woburn St. Playground 15 Schools (incl.constr.) 191.53 1 included) Future Schools (town land) 101.59 Woburn St. Jr. High 26 Other tax lands (to be held) 68.93 A. Total Open and School 856.18 acres E. Total to be acquired 83 acres Town Lands in use 23.0 acres Cemeteries 50.0 Landfill Area 67.5 B. Total Town Lard in Use 140.5 acres Minute Man Historical Park 130.0 acres Great Meadows 193.0 Hobbs Brook Basin 200.0 C. Total Other Open Land 523.0 acrds Golf Clubs 297.0 acres Neighborhood Areas 15.0 Woodland Sanctuary 7.0 Hayden Center 30.0 Tennis Club 5.0 D. Total Private Recreational 354.0 acres Total of Existing Open and Recreational Lands (A, C, D) 1733 acres Future Open & Recreational Lands with Water Lands (A,C,D,E) 1816 acres # (Additional probable school, playgrounds, private recreation not included) 1816 � 10650 = 17 t % of total town area 1 1