HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-10-02PLANNING BOARD MEETING
October 2, 1972
' The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
by the chairman Mrs. Brown with members Clarke, S. Brown, and secretary
Mrs. Snow present. Mr. Costello joined the meeting later in the evening.
Also present were M. Weinmayr and T. Holzbog, D.A.C., C. Waixel, Lexington
Minute Man and R. Cohcin, L.W.V.
The Board considered the petition of Youville Hospital to the Board of
Appeals for a special permit to build and maintain a nursing home annex YOUVILLE HOSP.
for 150 beds at 10 Pelham Rd. (hearing 10/3/72). Dr. Clarke reported BD. OF APPEALS
on his conference with Sister Caron, Administrator of Yourville Hospital
and gave details of the proposal as well as history of Planning Board
studies on criteria for nursing homes in Lexington. Seven residents of
the Pelham Road area were present and expressed doubts as to the suita-
bility of the proposed nursing home facility in residential area and
general oppos$ion to the specific proposal. Discussion followed regard-
ing activity at the nursing home with respect to the types of patients,
traffic impact on the area, parking space requirements, and safety and
well-being of the neighborhood. After further review and discussion of
the plans, the Board requested that the chairman write a letter to the
Board of Appeals containing recommendations and comments of the Planning
Board developed as a result of this review.
The minutes of Planning Board meetings of September 15 and September 18,
1972, were approved as amended. MINUTES 9/15
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Mrs. Brown reported on telephone conversation with Mrs. Frick, Conserva-
AND 9/18/72
tion Comm., concerning a draft of Mrs. Frick's letter to Middlesex Con- TOPHET SWAMP
servation District, from the Conservation Comm. requesting assistance of that STUDY
agency in soil and hydrological study of Tophet Swamp. It was agreed by
members that cooperation of the Planning Board and assistance of the interim
planning director in redrafting the abovementioned letter is appropriate.
Mr. Downe will confer with Mrs. Frick on the matter and investigate the
scope and extent of information available from the Soil Conservation Service.
With regard to the selection of the second area for site study under SITE STUDY
AYtirle 82, Mr. Brown reported that the Appropriations Comm. will be ART. 82 (1972)
requested by the Town Manager and the Selectmen for funds for the Engr.
Dept. study of the sanitary landfill area. The Board considered possibil-
ity of collaboration with the Conservation Comm. and the Engineering Dept.
in a study of the Tophet Swamp area. Mr. Brown agreed to confer with
Eco -Systems regarding participation in a joint Planning Board/Conservation
Comm./Engr. Dept study.
Draft of a letter to the Board of Appeals with Planning Board comments on
the petition of L & B Realty Trust (hearing 10/3) was reviewed. After L.& B.REALTY
slight revision of the content, the Board voted to approve the letter TR.BD. OF APP.
as amended.
Following review by members and by the planning director, comments were RTE.2 IMPACT
offered on the Environmental Impact Statement draft (Rte.2) by the STATEMENT
Mass. DPW. Mr. Graham agreed to draft a letter containing these comments
as requested by Mr. O'Connell, for consideration of the Board on Oct. 9.
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10.2.72
Revised plan for Hartwell Park subdivision and letter from Mr. Robert HARTWELL PARK
Raymond, B. Saivetz Assoc., dated Sept. 27, 1972, and a copy of the SUBD. PLANS
' Chandler Leasing Site Plan were reviewed. Mrs. Brown reported that
Mr. Downe will proceed with correlation of the requirements of the Engr.
Dept. and Planning Board and information received to date from the devel-
oper for report to the Board on October 9.
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Plans for proposed expansion of the Honeywell facilities at Forbes Rd. HONEYWELL
(Bd. of Appeals hearing 10/17/72) were discussed. Mr. Weinmayr, DAC, BD. OF APPEALS
reported on his site review of the area and displayed snapshots taken by
him at the site. It was agreed by the Board that recommendations to the
Board of Appeals include a condition with respect to preservation of
existing trees wherever possible as suggested by Mr. Weinmayr. Drawings
prepared by Mr. Weinmayr, indicating contours and showing proposed areas
to be cut and filled were exhibited. Cabot, Cabot and Forbes grading
plan, 1968, revised 1971, with proposed building superimposed, was re-
viewed and was shown to be in conformance with provisions in a Hatch Act
Permit, 1968, latest extension dated 1972. Further discussion was post-
poned pending receipt of comments from the Town Engineer and Health Director
following review of the revised plans.
Mr. Weinmayr also showed the Board pictures he had taken at the Vinebrook
Bridge and reported on the appearance of the bridge regarding safety VINEBR.00K
factor. A letter in answer to the request of the Selectmen from the BRIDGE
Conservation Comm. (copy) dated September 28, 1972, with recommendations
of the Commission re the bridge was read in part. The problem of loca-
tion of the Town -owned bridge in relationship to the Town -owned access
strip, complaint of Mr. Bosinoff, abuttor,of trespassing by operators of
motor powered vehicles and the resulting noise disturbance were discussed.
Mr. Brown agreed to contact T.M. members in the neighborhood and request
that they survey the attitude of residents as to the future of the bridge.
The Board decided to recommend to the Selectmen that traffic over the bridge
in its present state be inhibited by chaining and that final decision on
future plans for a bridge be postponed until a poll of the residents
(future and present) is completed and pedestrian patterns are established.
Mrs. Brown reported on a September 28th meeting called by the Town Manager
at which time the new Town Counsel, Norman P. Cohen, Palmer & Dodge, was
present. Procedures for contact with Mr. Cohen to obtain legal advice and
a time schedule for appointments was noted.
The secretary reported on a preliminary personal services budget schedule
to be submitted to the Town Mgr. in which form, space is provided for re- PERSONAL
quests for additional personnel. Correspondence and Job Description SERVICES BUDG
regarding a "Junior Planner", written by former planning director
Zaleski, was reviewed. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to indicate on the abovementioned form that the Planning Board will request
additional Planning staff during the 1973-6/30/74 period.
Dr. Clarke reported on the meeting on September 26, 1972, regarding the
Minute Man Historical Park Master Plan revision. He stated that as no
new information was offered by the four visiting park officials, he con-
sidered the meeting to have been inconclusive.
Min.Man PARK
MASTER PLAN
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10.2.72
The Board noted Mr. Down 's memo and accompanying examples of wetland WETLAND
protection zoning in several Massachusetts municipalities. Mr. Graham ZONING,OTHER
will review an MAPC compilation of open space law with respect to pro- TOWNS
tective wetland zoning in Lexington. Mr. Costello reported on his con-
versation with Rep. Cole, who said that he could submit legislation on a
state level for Lexington, re acquisition by the State of the Great Meadow.
Notice of a meeting in Amherst, Mass. of the Mass. Federation of Planting
Boards on October 14, 1972, and the scheduled program were noted. Dr.Clarke
and Mr. Brown may attend this meeting.
A letter (copy) dated September 27, 1972, from the Lincoln Bd. of Select- HANSCOM FLD.
men to Mr. Horgan, Chief Engineer, Mass. DPW, with respect to the Hanscom LOOP ROAD
Field Circumferential Highway, was noted.
Mr. Costello agreed to draft a letter to the Selectmen for review of the SILC-
Board on October 9, expressing unanimous favor of the Planning Board of LEXINGTON
Lexington's acceptance of the invitation of September 21, 1972, to join JOINING
SILC.
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.
All..�ald.. Graham, Clerk