HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-04-24PLANNING BOARD MEETING
April 24, 1972
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
by the chairman Mrs. Brown with members Graham, Costello, Clarke, planning
director Zaleski and secretary Mrs. Snow present. Also in attendance were
Mrs. Susan Solomon, Assoc. member Conservation Commission, Mr. Kenneth Kreut-
ziger, DAC, Tr. Thomas Curran, Lexington Minute Man and Mrs. Rene Cochin, LWV.
Representatives of Varian Assoc. met with the Board at 7:30 to exhibit plans VARIAN
for a light manufacturing plant on Hartwell Ave. prior to finding and deter- BD APPEALS
mination by the Board of Appeals on May 23, 1972. Site plans for the proposed
construction of the 59,000 sq. ft. building were shown and details explained
by an architect of the Carlson Corp. Printed description of the building was
distributed to members, a rendering of the proposed building was exhibited and
photographs showing type of concrete block to be used were shown. Sewerage
connection and parking provision plans as well as type of equipment to be
manufactured were described. Exact location of a catchbasin recommended to
prevent icing at the bend in the drive will be determined after review of plans
by the Town Engineer. Draft of a letter by Mr. Zaleski to the Appeals Board
from the Planning Board was reviewed and it was voted that the letter, containing
conditional approval of the plans, be approved as written.
Draft of a letter by Mr. Zaleski to the Board of Appeals with recommendations GOLDEN
of the Planning Board concerning the petition of Harrison for a hanging sign HAND SIGN
at "Golden Hand", 72 Waltham St., (hearing date May 2, 1972) and a sketch of
the proposed sign were reviewed. Further discussion was tabled pending site
review by members, receipt of DAC report regarding appropriateness as to size
and color of the proposed and obtaining additional data on exact dimensions and
location.
Mr. Charles McDermott and Mr. Warren Miller of Cape and Islands Financial Corp.,IDYLWILDE
Mr. Erich Nitzche, engineer, met with the Board at 8:00 p.m. for presentation CAPE &
of and exploratory conversation on definitive plans for Idylwilde Farms sub- ISLANDS
division. Mrs. Solomon represented the Conservation Commission. Plans, re-
vised July, 1971, were exhibited and changes in sewerage and drainage layouts
pointed out. Waivers regarding pavement width, size of water main and pro-
vision of curbing will be requested by the developers. Concern of the Planning
Board with runoff was stated. Mr. Nitzsche and Mr. McSweeney, Tam Engineer,
are to confer for decision on the preferred design of drainage; use of a holding
pond or ditches. Recommendation of the Conservation Commission will also be
obtained. Possibility of need for a Hatch Act hearing was mentioned. Sugges-
tion was made that relocation of a drain, as shown on the plan, would result in
improvement of its function. Sill elevation data on existing houses next to the
subdivision will be requested of the Town Engineer, and, after drainage design
and its impact have been determined, sill elevations for houses to be built on
two adjacent lots outside the subdivision and on lots in the subdivision will be
recommended by the Planning Board to the Board of Health. The wetland within the
subdivision will be deeded to the Tann for conservation. Mrs. Solomon left the
meeting for conference with the Conservation Commission regarding its preference
for method of drainage. Use of a b" water main was stated by the developers as
being adequate for any future expansion of the subdivision. Mr. McSweeney joined
the meeting at this time. Plans were made for a meeting of Mr. McSweeney with the
Planning Board on May 8 or 15, 1972, for further discussion of the Idylwilde plans
and it was tentatively decided that the public hearing will be held on May 22,1972.
Written comments of the Town Engineer, March 14, 1972, regarding his prelim-
Page 2
4.24.72
inary review of Idylwilde plans were noted and copies will be transmitted IDYLWILDE
to Cape and Islands Financial Corp. and to the Board of Health. (cont'd)
Letter of request from Mr. Kenneth Kelley to the Selectmen to purchase a
tax title lot #167 on Earl St., and Mr. Zaleski's draft of a letter to the
Selectmen from the Planning Board regarding the matter were considered. It
was voted that the letter be approved as amended and that oral recommendation
be given by individual members to the Selectmen, regarding need for appraisal
of the lot.
A letter from the Lexington Pediatric Assoc., 19 Muzzey St., dated April 4, LEX. PEDIAT-
1972, requesting assistance of the Planning Board in alleviating their park- RIC ASSOC.
ing problem was reviewed. It was decided that a letter to Dr. Pearlman con- PARKING
taining background information and suggestion for a future meeting of the
Association with the Planning Board will be drafted by Mr. Zaleski for con-
sideration of the Board on May 1, 1972, before which time receipt of the letter
will be acknowledged by telephone. Copy of the Planning Board letter, when
approved, copy of Dr. Pearlman's letter and a cover letter will be sent to
the Selectmen and to the Chamber of Commerce.
The Board discussed how to proceed with implementation of Art. 82, authoriz- SITE STUDIES
ing site studies. It was agreed that the Town Mgr., Planning Board members ART. 82
and all other department heads and officials who will participate in discus-
sion of scope of studies and method of selecting a consultant, will be given
copies of the request for proposal and the written responses of the three
' firms contacted if not already in receipt of same. Time permitting, the
planning director will prepare a draft outline of questions involving techni-
cal aspects of studies to be considered at the abovementioned meeting.
It was decided that a meeting of the Planning Board will be held on Saturday,PL. BD. MTG.
April 29, 1972, at 10 a.m. in the office of the Planning Board, for discus- 4/29/72
sion of questions regarding conservation and wetland zoning proposed in the
CLC meeting notice. Mr. Zaleski will prepare a suggested outline for a Plan-
ning Board statement to be made at the CLC meeting on May 11, 1972, by
Mrs. Brown.
Mrs. Solomon returned to the meeting with information as to Conservation IDYLWILDE
Commission preference for method of drainage at Idylwilde Farms subdivision, CONSERV.COMM.
which will be confirmed by letter. The Commission requested that the Planning
Board obtain permission of the developers for its members to walk the land in
Idylwilde subdivision and it was voted that a letter be written to Mr. McDermott
from the Planning Board so requesting.
Mrs. Brown reported on a meeting on April 18, 1972, regarding the proposed MBTA EXTENS.
MBTA extension to Rte. 128 and her memorandum to the Board was noted. Pro-
posed location of a terminal at Rte. 2, Arlington, with an estimated 6000
parking spaces, possibility of a combined A. D. Little/MBTA terminal with 8500
spaces, environmental impact of extension of the alternate routes proposed and
possibility of a minor terminal at Rte. 128, Lexington were discussed. An
information meeting of the Planning Board with the Selectmen, Town Manager,
planners from Cambridge and Arlington and two representatives of the BTPR is
to be scheduled, tentative date: May 15, 1972.
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4.24.72
Recommendations and material supplied by Mr. Costello and Mr. Zaleski re- APD
garding Automatic Data Processing were noted. After discussion of benefits MUNICIPAL
and costs to the Town of such a program, it was decided to schedule a presen-COMPUTER SERV
tation by Mr. Robar of Municipal Computer Services, Inc. in the near future,
with Board members, Town Manager and Mr. Bailey or other member of the Data
Processing Committee in attendance.
Mr. Zaleski's memorandum of April 10, 1972, commenting on H.5009, revised H.5009
zoning enabling act, and containing suggested changes to be recommended by ZONING ENAB-
the Planning Board, was noted. A paragraph from the proposed bill regarding LING ACT
variances was read by the chariman and its effect on Lexington discussed.
After consideration it was decided that no written recommendation of the
Planning Board regarding the house bill will be sent to Rep. Creedon.
The chairman explained to members the procedure followed in sending a letter LUONGO, BD.
of opposition on behalf of the Board to the Appeals Board on April 14, 1972, OF APPEALS
regarding the Luongo petition for a roadside stand (hearing, April 18, 1972).
The meeting adjourned at 11:05.
' Donald M. Graham
Clerk
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