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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-02-22PLANNING BOARD MEETING February 22, 1971 Cost to the town - what is a nominal fee and what about maintenance of a parking lot? An additional or expanded medical building, besides taking more space, could create more need for parking, thus there would be no gain in parking space, and it might not give sufficient space for medical expan- sion plans to house everything desired under one roof. Rezoning would broaden the possible use of the land which could be, ultimately, used for other than a medical building. An easement or a transitional zone to pro- tect neighbors from creeping zoning should be considered, also thought should be given to the future need for tourist parking during the 1975 celebrations. Would parking be metered? Should the need for a larger medical center be a public service issue? Has anyone considered the idea of merchants forming a committee similar to the "Beautification of Lexington Center Committee" to purchase land for needed parking or otherwise provide parking? Is rezoning better than a Board of Appeals variance with special restrictions? Has there been communication with the Library Board of Trustees, in regard to rezoning? Would another medical building be needed somewhere else, leaving this lot open for someone else to use under the CB zone? The Planning Board responded to all questions. A full report of the hearing will be on file. More than 48 persons in addition to the proponents attended the hearing, 20 persons asked questions, often more than one each, 3 were recorded in favor of the article, 4 were recorded against it. Chairman Lund and Mr. Graham arrived while the hearing was in progress. The hearing was declared closed at 8:55 p.m. and the Board resumed its regular meeting in its office. At 7:00 p.m. Board members Worrell, Clarke and Mrs. Brown, Planning Dir- BOARD OF ector Zaleski, and secretary Mrs. Cole met with members of the Board of APPEALS & Appeals, G. Sheldon, H. Dawes, G. Wadsworth and W. Brodhead, and Building BUILDING Inspector D. Irwin to review and discuss, in an attempt to clarify, posi- INSPECTOR tions of both Boards in relation to the Zoning By -Law as it applies to MEET WITH special permit uses, particularly nurseries. PLAN.BOARD At 7:40 p.m. in Cary Hall Dr. Worrell, in the absence of the chairman, PUBLIC called to order the public hearing on the Board's proposal to rezone from HEARING RS one family dwelling district to CB central business district the land RS TO CB between the existing CB district and Clarke St., extending northeasterly REZONING, from Raymond St. for a depth of about 220 ft. and described in Article 68 RAYMOND ST. of the 1971 Annual Town Meeting, read the n tice, set the ground rules and explained the Article which ties in with Ar icles 64 - 67, all part of a long-range plan to acquire a unified off-st eet parking area as recom- mended in the 1963 "Summary Report" and in he 1966 EDA's "Plan for Lex- ington Center. The owners of the medical building would be willing to sell part of their property for a nominal sum, if the land was rezoned, and would build an addition or expand the present building, which could include an accident floor, X-ray, lab, and other facilities, as well as allow more doctors to be under one roof, according to Dr. Stewart. The Town would gain parking space which, when added to the land described in Articles 64-67, could provide a single parking unit with 2 accesses instead of several driveways and help prevent traffic and parking congestion ' on streets in the area. Discussion brought out the following questions and concerns: Cost to the town - what is a nominal fee and what about maintenance of a parking lot? An additional or expanded medical building, besides taking more space, could create more need for parking, thus there would be no gain in parking space, and it might not give sufficient space for medical expan- sion plans to house everything desired under one roof. Rezoning would broaden the possible use of the land which could be, ultimately, used for other than a medical building. An easement or a transitional zone to pro- tect neighbors from creeping zoning should be considered, also thought should be given to the future need for tourist parking during the 1975 celebrations. Would parking be metered? Should the need for a larger medical center be a public service issue? Has anyone considered the idea of merchants forming a committee similar to the "Beautification of Lexington Center Committee" to purchase land for needed parking or otherwise provide parking? Is rezoning better than a Board of Appeals variance with special restrictions? Has there been communication with the Library Board of Trustees, in regard to rezoning? Would another medical building be needed somewhere else, leaving this lot open for someone else to use under the CB zone? The Planning Board responded to all questions. A full report of the hearing will be on file. More than 48 persons in addition to the proponents attended the hearing, 20 persons asked questions, often more than one each, 3 were recorded in favor of the article, 4 were recorded against it. Chairman Lund and Mr. Graham arrived while the hearing was in progress. The hearing was declared closed at 8:55 p.m. and the Board resumed its regular meeting in its office. 2.22.71 minutes (continued) Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously VOTED: DRUMMER BOY, ONEIDA CORP To extend to March 23, 1971, inclusive, the time within which the ., Planning Board must act on the definitive subdivision plan entitled EXTENSION "Drummer Boy, Lexington, Ma.", dated August 18, 1969, revised to OF TIME September 1, 1970, as requested by the Oneida Corp., applicant. The subdivision is still undergoing review by the Town Engineer. A letter received from the Town Engineerapas read and noted. The minutes of February 15 were approved. 2/15 MINUTES -2 The letter to the Board of Appeals re. Wagon Wheel Nursery, recommending WAGON that there be no physical expansion of the operation of the business WHEEL because of its location and size, was approved by the Board. NURSERY Board members Worrell, Clarke, Graham and Mrs. Brown approved and signed ARTICLE 73 the Planning Board report on A. P. Tropeano's petition to rezone a dis- REZONING trict on the S. E. corner of Waltham St. and Vine Brook Rd. to CG, Article FROM RS TO 73 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Lund was not in favor CG, TROPEANO of passage of this Article at this time. The letter to the Town Engineer requesting an evaluation of the traffic TRAFFIC likely to be generated by RH rezoning in the Meagherville area, as well EVALUATION ' as, Bow St. and Bedford St. areas, was approved on the condition that Mr. McSweeney agrees that the request is reasonable and can be accomplished without difficulty. Noted by the Board was the bill from Miss Gilson for taking minutes of the Bow St. and Bedford St. RH hearings and the transcription of them. The Board recommended that it be shown to the Town Manager for his opinion. Board members reviewed the contents of the proposed Planning Board Report on Meagherville Area Study. The report will be distributed to all Town Meeting members after copies are reproduced. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. 1 Eric T. Clarke Clerk