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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-12-06PLANNING BOARD MEETING December 6, 1971 ' The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the chariman, Mrs. Brown with members Clarke, Costello, Graham and Lund, planning director Zaleski and secretary Mrs. Snow present. Mr. Frank Sandy, CLC and Mr. Thomas Curran, Lexington Minute - Man also attended. Mr. Robert Rynearson and 2 associates, Messrs. Whelan and Crowley, rep- HONEYWELL resenting Honeywell Radiation Center, met with the Board by appoint- EXPANSION ment at 7:30 p.m. to present a proposal for expansion of the Forbes Rd. PROPOSAL facility involving a change in operation of this research and develop- ment facility to include light manufacturing, which would require a rezoning of the Honeywell land. After a showing of slides to illustrate the present functions of the company, projected business status as a result of new programs, personnel increase necessary, and explaining the need and location for physical expansion, Mr. Rynearson discussed the resultant increase in traffic, parking, water and sewage facilities and preservation of wetland on the parcel. Questions from members involving increase in the amount of trucking and attitude of abutters were answered by Mr. Rynearson. A definition of activity allowed in CR district was read from the Zoning By -Law by Mr. Zaleski and the need for rezoning to CM discussed. After consideration of the possiblity of Board of Appeals ac- tion, Mr. Rynearson was advised to prepare a citizen's article for the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and was informed of the procedures for petition and hearing which are necessary. Mr. Zaleski will assist in the preparation of the Article. The Board will continue discussion of the matter at the next meeting. At 8:00 p.m. members of the Board of Health Dr. Cosgrove, Dr. Ellicot, BOARD OF HEALTH Mr. Lambie, director Mr. Heustis and health agent Mrs. Jones met with the Planning Board by invitation. The first topic of discussion was a re- DRAINAGE quest for a greater involvement by the Board of Health in subdivision SUBDIVISION review as regards proper drainage and the impact on the adjacent areas REVIEW due to changes in runoff characteristics. The Board of Health was asked to investigate soils and environmental impact in greater depth and make detailed findings and recommendations for the guidance of the Planning Board. It was noted that some funds are available in Planning Board's budget to defray the additional cost of such investigations, and that under the state law and a recent Mass. Supreme Court decision the Board of Health has broad powers with regard to new subdivisions. Mr. McSweeney, T. E., joined the meeting at this time. The legal and administrative steps needed to better protect basements and adjacent land against ground and surface water damage were discussed with reference to a possible revision of the Building By -Law to require builders to furnish and have certified by their surveyors the grade of the proposed bottom floor relative to the lot and street grades. It was noted that under Art. II of the State Sanitary Code the Board of Health could act to pre- vent wet basements. It was brought out that the Board of Health speci- fied, where necessary, bottom floor elevation in new subdivisions and conducted investigation of soil on lots with local sewage disposal system, but that at present lots served by public sanitary sewer are not checked by the Board of Health. It was generally agreed that additional information 2 about grades on plot plans is desirable, but opinions differed regarding the degree of Town involvement and the means of ensuring proper design to prevent wet basements and drainage problems in other than new sub- divisions. Mr. Heustis and Mr. McSweeney discussed ways in which their departments could cooperate in establishing danger areas before building permits are issued. It was suggested that, after conferring with the Town Manager, further study on the matter and work on the proposed amend- ment be carried on by a committee consisting of Mr. Zaleski, Mr. McSweeney, Mr. Heustis and Mr. Donald Irwin, Bldg. Inspector. The pond at Carnegie Place, its history and the question of stagnation CARNEGIE PL. and water pollution because of improper drainage were brought up by the POND DRAINAGE chairman. Mr. heustis agreed to review the condition of water in the pond for one year beginning next spring and also to obtain information as to the presence of mosquito larva. Mr. Zaleski reported on replies from the three firms which were con- SOILS STUDIES tacted regarding estimates on soil studies. A letter from Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, regarding the release from bond COLONIAL ACRES of Colonial Acres III, was read to the members by Mrs. Brown. Upon a III- BOND REL. motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: To execute the release of the bond for the construction of Colonial Acres III subdivision, as prepared by the Town Counsel, in considera- tion of a settlement made by the developer with the Town of Lexington. Four copies of the release were signed by the members. The list of streets which was sent to the Selectmen as proposed by the STREET ACCEPT - Planning Board for acceptance by the Town ad the reply of the Selectmen ANCE was reviewed. It was agreed that the Selectmen be asked if streets in Colonial Acres III could also be included in this list, now that the bond has been released. The request from the Lincoln Planning Board that a meeting with Lexington Planning Board be scheduled will be acknowledged suggesting that a date MTG.LINCOLN/ be set after receipt of further progress reports on the selection of a LEXINGTON P.BDS site for the Minute Man Regional Vocation Technical High School. Mr. Zaleski reported on a meeting with the Selectmen and the Town Coun- PEACOCK FARMS sel on Dec. 2, 1971, regarding Town acceptance of pedestrian easements EASEMENTS in Peacock Farms by Jan. 2, 1972. Need for Town Meeting action, author- izing acceptance was discussed and letter from Mr. Zaleski to Mr. Legro and to the Selectmen regarding the time element were referred to. Dr. Clarke will contact Mr. Eric Kula, Peacock Farms Assn. and Mr. Walter Pierce to invite them to the Planning Board meeting on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. for discussion prior to meeting with the Selectmen that evening (after 9 p.m.). The planning director's suggestion to recommend to the Selectmen that anKENDALL RD. unfinished portion of Kendall Rd. be constructed as a town way for CONSTRUCTION traffic safety and convenience was considered. After discussion it was voted not to present the recommendation at this time. Mr. Graham's presentation of the Planning Board Statement on Recreation RECREATION to the TMMA on Dec. 1, 1971, was noted. Copies of a L.W.V. report on STATEMENT - recreation published by the TMMA will be obtained by Mr. Sandy for dis- TMMA tribution to Planning Board members. Further consideration of recreation proposals by .the Board will take place before Jan. 8, 1972, regarding the 1 1 3 Rte. 2 area and the question of commercial recreation facilities. Dr. Clarke has agreed to obtain more information as to the neighbor- hood opinion regarding the availability and suitability of the Corazzini property on Concord Ave. as a possible site for a playground for elemen- tary school age children. Draft of the Annual Report of the Planning Board as prepared by P. BD. ANNUAL Mrs. Brown was reviewed by the members and approved with several REPORT amendments and subject to editorial changes. Upon the addition of subtitles and further editing, copies of the amended report will -be sent to members on Friday and the submission of the report delayed until Monday. It was suggested that a letter expressing Planning Board appreciation be sent to Mr. Legro for his response to the request for guidelines re- TOWN COUNS garding old subdivision streets. SUBD. ST. A draft of a letter to the Town Engineer from the Planning Board with MOUNTAIN Rp. several questions regarding specific engineering aspects of the TOWN ENGR. Mountain Rd. subdivision, requesting his advice to aid in evaluating the problem areas involved was reviewed and approved as written. A photograph of the members of the Planning Board and the planning PL. BD. director to be published in the 1971 Annual Town Report was approved TOWN RE by the members. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m. •W{r ^ Donald M. Graham Clerk