HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-06-08PLANNING BOARD HEARINGS
June 8, 1967
The Lexington Planning Board held two hearings in Science Hall,
Senior High School, on June 8, 1967. Present were Chairman Greeley,
members Riffin and worrell, Planning Director Zaleski, and the secretary,
Mrs. Macomber.
At 7:00 p.m. the first hearing was called to order with the
reading of the notice as it had been published in the Lexington Minute-
man as required. Mr. Greeley explained that this proposal is to add
funeral homes to the list of ,permitted uses in C 4 - Small office dis-
tricts, subject to permission by the Board of Appeals. He explained,
also, that this is a modification of a hearing held two weeks ago at
which time the Planning Board was considering the use of funeral homes
in residential zones on the main street. One of the problems that had
arisen was how to define a major street, and other problems had also
developed, so the Planning Board asked that the article be changed to
its present form. A hearing is now being held on the changed article.
The only change from the zoning by-law is that funeral homes would now
be allowed in C 4 districts with the Board of Appeals issuing a special
permit. There is only one such district now, on Waltham St. near the
city line. The Planning Board knows of no intent to use that area for
a funeral home, but there is a proposal coming up to change to C 4
district some land in back of the First National Store on Worthen Rd.
and there is information that there would be a proposal to put a funeral
home there if the change is passed by the Town Meeting.
There was no discussion and nobody spoke in favor nor in opposition,
and the hearing closed at 7:15 p.m.
The second hearing then opened on a proposal, in essence, to
prohibit building on lots of less than 5,000 sq.ft. and 50 ft. frontage,
and also to require the consolidation of two or more adjacent lots which
are vacant and in one ownership into one lot or into lots of not less
than 12,500 sq.ft. area and 100 ft. frontage. A person owning a built -
upon house lot plus an adjacent vacant lot of at least 50 ft. frontage
and 5,000 sq.ft. area would be permitted to sell or build upon the vacant
lot independently of the house lot. In cases where the consolidation of
several small lots in one ownership would result in lots significantly
larger than other existing built -upon lots in the vicinity, the Board of
Appeals would have the power to permit special exceptions from the con-
solidation requirements.
A hearing was held on May 18 on a broader concept and as a result
of that hearing this proposal evolved. Mr. Zaleski showed slides depicting
various combinations of lots that might be affected.
Since the subject had been thoroughly discussed at the first hear-
ing, only a few specific questions on personal problems were asked, and the
hearing closed at 7:40 p.m. ,
Louise M. Macomber, Secretary