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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-17PLANNING BOARD MEETING January 17, 1977 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the chairman Mr. MacKenzie with members Brown, Friedman, Clarke, planning director Briggs and secretary Mrs. Snow present. Also in attendance was Robert Bradley, D.A.C. Mr. Robert Reynolds and his attorney, Mr. Hessian, met with the Board REYNOLDS for presentation of a potential Form A plan of land at Lowell St. show- LOWELL ST. ing three lots of adequate size and frontage, but with extremely irregular shapes. Mr. Reynolds asked for Planning Board view on acceptance of the plan prior to expenditure of funds for a survey, necessary for prepara- tion of a plan acceptable to Land Court. He was advised that submission of a compiled Form A plan would be considered sufficient for Planning Board action following review of the plan by Town Counsel. Mr. Briggs requested Planning Board interpretation of definition within DOG KENNELS the Zoning By-law as to whether dog kennels, not specifically mentioned in the by-law, are allowed in residential zones in Lexington, and reported on his dealing with several problems concerning such operations. State legislation defines a kennel as a place where four or more dogs are kept. Although Lexington Zoning By-laws make no mention of kennels as such, Sec. 25.69 permits treatment, boarding and care of animals only in a CG or CB district and then only with special permit. It was agreed that the Town Clerk will be alerted by the planning director that kennel licenses can not be issued unless the applicant is in conformance with Section 25.69 of our zoning by-law. Ralph Hall and Engr. Roger Corbin met with the Board for preliminary HALL, NORTH discussion of alternative sketch plans for subdivision of land (9+a.) ST. SUBDV. at North St., which lies partially in Burlington. The Board was asked its view on approval of a plan for six lots, three with adequate frontage on North St., and three lots with 15' frontage and provided with a private paved driveway for access. No major construction is planned for the por- tion of the site which lies in Burlington. Conventional subdivision plan of the land was also shown. The proposal will be discussed at the meeting of Jan. 24, at which the full Board is expected to be present. Mr. Corbin, engineer for developer of Kendall Gardens subdivision, asked KENDALL for clarification of requirements regarding setting of sill elevations. GARDENS Section 26.7 of the Zoning By-law was referred to. Mr. Corbin was informed that determination of water table must be made for each lot; test borings to be made at a time considered to be appropriate by the Bldg. Commr. Minutes of December 13, 1976, were approved as presented. Minutes of December 20, 1976, were approved as corrected. MINUTES 12/13 The chairman read a letter from Chas. Spaulding, Drummer Boy Trust,dated DRUMMER BOY Jan. 11, 1977, expressing appreciation for Planning Board cooperation with respect to recent petition to the B/A for construction of Drummer Boy Green Phase II. Letter dated Jan.3, 1977, from Clarice Gordon, LWV, thanking Messrs. Mac LWV LAND USE Kenzie, Zabin and Briggs for their time and efforts with respect to ex- WORKSHOP planations of the impact of Ch.808, Revised Zoning Enabling Act, to members of the LWV Land -use Workshop. Annual report of the Planning Board, prepared by Mr. MacKenzie for the PL. BD. ANNUA] 1976 Annual Town Report, was noted. REPORT Page 2 1.17.77 Contract with Whitman and Howard for Town -wide Drainage Study was noted. WHITMAN & HOWARD DRAINAGE ST. Letter from Town Counsel responding to Planning Board request for defi- PUD USABLE nition of "usable land" as referenced in Sec. 33 of the Zoning By-law, was read in part by the chairman, and Town Counsel Legro's 1968, addressing similar question, was reviewed. The chairman reported on question which has arisen with respect to the PL. BD. AP - procedures of the planning director in his efforts to assist developers, PROACH TO engaged in the subdivision process. Long-standing policy of the Board DEVELOPMENT emphasizing cooperation with developers for production of best possible plans, supplying available information and assistance during the subdivi- sion,process and giving benefit of knowledge of Planning Board require- ments and policies to developers, was reaffirmed. All agreed that plan- ning director's approach is appropriate in this respect and in accordance with the stated policy of the Board. The chairman will prepare a written statement concerning the above, for consideration of the Board on January 24. Board of Appeals notice of January 27 hearings on petitions of Brewster, B/A NOTICES Lord, Peking Garden were reviewed. The Planning Board will offer no 1/27/77 comments on these proposals. Letter from the Engineering Dept., dated January 7, 1977, with comments KENDALL GAR - on the definitive plan for Kendall Gardens subdivision (public hearing DENS Feb. 14, 1977) was read. Copy will be sent to Roger Corbin, engineer for the development. The chairman read a letter dated January 13, 1977, from Karsten Sorensen, CBD SUB COMM. chairman of the CBD subcommittee (present at the meeting), requesting a meeting of his group with the Planning Board for clarification of the Board's charge to the subcommittee, and for establishing a time frame for conclusion of its project concerning CBD zoning. The meeting was scheduled for January 31, 1977. Dr. Friedman reported on the January 11th street hearings, which he attended. Discussion followed on Town Counsel's suggestion that the Board consider withdrawing its zoning by-law revision Articles because of lack of adequate time for exposure to other Town agencies, and controversy of "open meeting law" violation. It was decided to proceed with the public hearings on the proposals. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m. 1 Manfred P. Friedman, Clerk 1/11 STREET HEARINGS