HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-01-22PLANNING BOARD MEETING
January 22, 1979
' The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
by the vice chairman Dr. Friedman with members Sandy, Nichols, Wheaton,
planning director Briggs and secretary Mrs. Snow present. Also in atten-
dance were planning intern Randy Waterman, and Susan Fisher, Lexington
Minute -Man.
During the time period allottedfor public participation, 12 residents of
the Barrett Rd/Wellington Lane area voiced objection to Planning Board re-
quirement for an emergency path in the Willow Ridge subdivision layout,
from proposed Barrett Rd. extension to Wellington Lane Avenue. Loss of
school bus transportation, and impact of the use of a full -width connec-
tor as a cut -through were mentioned as being detrimental to the existing
neighborhood. Later in the evening, discussion on Willow Ridge con- WILLOW RIDGE
tinued. Developer Tuttle's request for extension of time for Planning
Board action was considered. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it
was unanimously VOTED:
To extend to February 13, 1979, inclusive, the time within which
the Lexington Planning Board must act on the definitive subdivi-
sion plan entitled "Willow Ridge in Lexington, Mass.", dated
February 13, 1978, r. March 9,-1978, r. November 20, 1978, as
requested by John C. Tuttle, Jr., Exec. Vice President, Landsail,
Inc., applicant.
Mr. Briggs' memo, dated Jan. 19, 1979, outlining inadequacies of the
Willow Ridge plan was reviewed. Mr. Tuttle will be informed by letter
of the granting of the extension and will be given a detailed list of
all required items. It was agreed in further discussion of the design
of the emergency path, that the right-of-way will be 50 feet wide, with
a 12 ft. wide graded area, and a gravelled path, 5 feet wide. Question
arose as to need for curbing at both ends, or one end, of the path.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that curbing, 12 feet wide,
will be installed at both ends of the path. Dr. Friedman, Dr. Sandy, and
Mrs. Wheaton voted in favor. Mrs. Nichols voted in opposition.
Lloyd Gilson, North Lexington Assoc., met with the Board to report on
progress of a study of a landlocked parcel at the Burlington/Lexington/
Bedford line, now being conducted by MAPC. The study, an impact report
on development which could occur on the site, is now underway, according
to Mr. Gilson without proper notification to the three towns affected.
The Planning Board was asked to register opposition to the preparation
of the study of privately owned land by a government agency. A letter
will be drafted by Mrs. Wheaton and Dr. Friedman for consideration of the
Board on January 29. Mr. Gilson distributed his memo to Tom Callaghan,
MAPC, dated Jan. 8, 1979, containing a statement of minimum requirements
for development of the land.
Mr. Briggs'draft letter to Robert Burke, developer of Cambridge Farms CAMBRIDGE
subdivision, containing Planning Board recommendations on the prelimin- FARMS
ary plan for the Marrett Rd. site, was reviewed and unanimously approved
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1.22.79
as written. The Board considered action on the plan. Upon a motion CAMBRIDGE
duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: FARMS
PRELIM.PLAN
To approve the preliminary subdivision plan entitled "Cambridge APPROVAL
Farms Section One, Lexington, Mass.:, dated October 16, 1978,
revised January 5, 1979, by Miller & Nylander, Cambridge Farms
Realty Trust, Robert L. Burke and Leon A. Burke, Trs., applicant.
The vote was conditional upon revision of the plan to show a 50 -foot
right-of-way, or waiver by the Planning Board to allow the 40 -foot
right-of-way as Shown,
Roger Corbin, Engineer, met with the Board to informally present re- KILN BROOK
vised plans for Kiln Brook Office Park construction, and to explain
the proposed change from site plans approved by the Board of Appeals
in March, 1978. He asked for the view of the Board as to whether the
changes constitute significant revision which would require a new
B/A site review and hearing. The Planning Board's January 8, 1979,
letter to the B/A, advising that a hearing will be required, was read,
and the March 1978, B/A'permit, including Engineering Department comments,
was noted. Mrs. Nichols questioned the adequacy of the drainage system.
Because this construction would take place in a 100 -year floodplain area
as designated by HUD, the developers were urged by the Board to get a
definitive judgement from the Board of Appeals on the applicability of
Section 40 of the Zoning By -Law to this project. Mrs. Wheaton felt
that a special permit under this section would he needed.
There was .considerable discussion on the drafting of an advisory letter
to the Board of Appeals on the proposed substitution of building design.
Dr. Sandy made a motion as follows:
"The Planning Board does not object to the substitution of this plan for
the approved plan without a new hearing."
The motion was not seconded. Dr. Friedman made a motion as follows:
"The Planning Board does not believe a new hearing is required by
the substitution of the new plan for the old plan" and indicated
that the appropriate dates would be incorporated into the text.
This motion was not seconded.
Mrs. Wheaton indicated that she would support neither motion; Dr. Sandy
said he preferred his wording; Dr. Friedman felt his wording was more ex-
plicit and Mrs. Nichols said she would abstain. No action was taken at
this time and the matter was tabled to the following week.
Later in the evening, at the request of Mrs. Nichols, discussion was re-
sumed. Drs. Sandy and Friedman indicated they would support either motion;
Mrs. Wheaton indicated she would support neither motion and Mrs. Nichols
decided to second Dr. Sandy's previous motion. Dr. Sandy's motion was
approved on a 3 - 1 vote with Mrs. Wheaton voting in opposition.
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1.22.79
It was agreed that the Planning Board meetings for February would be FEB. MTG. SCHED
held on February 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 21, 26 and 28, 1979.
Board of Appeals notices for January 25, 1979, were reviewed. Lexington B/A HEARINGS
Garden's petition for renewal of special permit was reviewed. The 1/25/79
Board will offer recommendation by letter stating that if no evidence
of violations of the existing permit is apparent, the Planning Board LEX. GARDENS
has no objection to the renewal.
Regarding the Young petitions (concerning Lots 22 and 23 on Sullivan YOUNG,SULLIVAN
Street) the Board will recommend denial on the basis that the lots have STREET
never been legal lots, and that no evidence of hardship can be seen.
Mr. Zabin's draft Housing Policy Article was reviewed, and approved as
amended.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
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Iris G. Wheaton, Clerk