Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-08-04PLANNING BOARD MEETING August 4, 1971 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the chairman, Mrs. Brown with members Lund, Graham, Clarke, planning director Zaleski, planning intern Fennessey and secretary Mrs. Snow present. Also in attendance were Mr. F. Sandy, Mr. T. Curran and Mrs. Wendy Pease. Mr. Walter O'Connell, Town Manager, was present upon invitation to discuss with the Board several matters of mutual interest. A letter from Mrs. Amicangello to Atty. Gen'l Quinn regarding the taking of AMICANGELLO land for non-payment of taxes was read and discussed. LETTER The matter of legislation regarding the forming of a commission for Bicen- tennial plans by vote of the Town Meeting was referred to by Mrs. Brown and BICENTENNIAL Mr. O'Connell explained the purpose of this legislation which would allow COMMISSION accumulation of funds from year to year. A letter is to be written to Mr. Kingston Howard, Gen'l Chairman of the Bicen. Committee, indicating the will- ingness and desire of the Planning Board to assist in planning for 1975 as regards the areas of responsibility of the Board. The need for the formulation of a definite policy re. old "paper" streets and the Planning Board's desire for written comments by Mr. Legro on the subjectPAPER STREETS were mentioned. Mr. Zaleski reported on the replies from developers regarding overdue sub- OVERDUE divisions. SUBDIVISIONS After receipt from the Town Engineer on the status of undone work, it must be.decided where legally the responsibility lies for completing it; the Town, the abutters or the subdivider. Content of agreements to be drawn up in the case of future subdivisions was considered. Mr. McSweeney is to be invited to the first meeting in September so that this matter may be pursued further. Regarding the matter of the Peacock Farms easements, Mr. O'Connell said that the Board of Selectmen had reviewed the situation as outlined by the letter PEACOCK FARMS from the Planning Board and that the Town Counsel is now preparing a report EASEMENTS as to methods for retaining these easements, which will be ready for the August 16 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. The Planning Board has been invited to attend this meeting at which the Hatch Act and other affiliated legislation will be discussed by Mr. Cousins of the DNR. Mr. Graham has agreed to represent the Planning Board at this meeting and other member were asked to attend if possible. Mr. O'Connell reported on the progress of acquisition of land at the BurlingEURLINGTON ton line; negotiations are in progress with one owner (Steeves). LINE Mr. O'Connell asked about the extent of involvement of the Planning Board QUESTIONNAIRE with federally assisted programs and projects in reference to the answering FED'L GOVT. of a comprehensive questionnaire on the subject. The complaint of a future home owner in Oak Park II subdivision, relative to the allegedly unsafe condition of a bridge across the Vine Brook located on VINE BROOK Town land was discussed. The responsibility of the Town and the extent of BRIDGE work necessary to restore the bridge to proper condition will be investi- gated and the decision as to future action will be made by the Selectmen. An informational meeting with the Mass. Port Authority was held at Hanscom HANSCOM FLD Field and representatives of various communities attended. Mr. Ed King and MASS. PORT other Mass. Port Authority officials were present as well a members of the AUTHORITY Air Force administrative staff who explained the purpose and the scope of work being done on hangars and runways at Hanscom Field. Mrs. Brown referred to need for a priority in the construction of the Hartwell Ave. Connector over the construction of the Hanscom Field loop road. Mr. O'Connell left the meeting at this time. It was agreed to keep the official minutes limited to actual decisions, votes and specific facts without recording conversations or quoting opinions or MINUTES statements, other than policy decisions. CONTENT The minutes of July 26, 1971, were approved as amended. Dr. Clarke will preside at the August 30 meeting of the Planning Board. It DR. CLARKE It was decided that the first meeting in September will be held on AUG.30 MTG. Wednesday, the 8th. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Donald MORELLI Graham, Clerk of the Planning Board, to execute a Certificate of Compliance C. OF C. for the building at 89 Hill St. owned by Edmund Morelli. It was voted to approve payment of the bill for $250 from Thomas Griffin Assoc. for a special report, completing the work under the terms of the MEAGHERVILLE Agreement for engineering service for the Meagherville Study. T. GRIFFIN The Board of Appeals notice of special permit, dated 8/2/71, for construc- CENTRAL BLOCK tion in the Central Block was noted as well as a letter from Mr. Giroux, B. OF A. dated 7/31, containing a resume of planning for this building. PERMIT The following Board of Appeals notices of hearings were noted: B. of A. HEARINGS Dayton, reduction of front yard at 16 Slocum Rd. Myers, reduction of front yard at 11 Constitution Rd. Antonucci, addition to premises at 16 Green Lane. No comment was made by the Planning Board on these petitions. Mr. Fennessey's report on 4 possible sites for a recreation area was dis- RECREATION cussed and the qualifications of each pointed out by Mr. Fennessey. It was AREA agreed that Mr. Fennessey will furnish additional data re. the cost of earthwork required on each site. A Superior Court decision regarding the Planning Board of Natick vs. United SUPERIOR CT. Reis Homes, Inc. was commented upon briefly by Mr. Lund. DECISION - NATICK P.B. Mrs. Brown and Mr. Zaleski reported on a meeting at DPW district 4 office on July 28, regarding "Urban Highways" network systems. It was decided that Mr. Zaleski will write a letter conveying Planning TAX TITLE IAND Board recommendations against the sale of tax title land on Valley Rd. VALLEY RD. A lengthy discussion of scattered site housing and the problem of public SCATTERED SITE accaeptance of multiple dwellings and subsidized housing followed. Mrs. MULTIPLE Wendy Pease, a member of the Scattered Site Subcommittee of the Lex. Comm. DWELLINGS on Suburban Responsibility, reproted on the first preliminary meeting of that group concerning definitions of terms and possibilities. Mr. Zaleski's memorandum of May 24, 1971, on Subsidized Housing was referred to. Mr. Graham suggested that Rep. David Liederman of the Urban Affairs Committee or Mr. Bernard Frieden, head of the housing task force of the Harvard - M.I.T. Joint Center of Urban Studies be asked to speak to appropriate Lexington Committees about solutions to the housing problems. The discussion of hous- ing is to be continued on August 30, 1971. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m. Ci 1 4onaAldM. Graham Clerk