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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-05-04MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING May 4, 1981 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices was called to order at 7:42 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Wheaton, with members Nichols, Sandy, Smith and Sorensen, Planning Director Bowyer and Assistant Planner Asen present. 87. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of April 27, 1981, were corrected, and on a motion by Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Sandy, were approved by a vote of 4-0. Mr. Sorensen abstained because he was not present for that meeting. DETERMINATION OF PLANNING BOARD APPROVAL (FORM A) 88. Land on Lincoln Street, Form A81/9: The Board reviewed a plan showing land on Lincoln Street owned by the Hayden Recreation Center. The Board noted that the land was shown on the Town's Assessor's Map as being part of a larger parcel. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Sandy, the Board voted unanimously to not approve the plan because, based on the information available, it appears the land shown on the plan is part of a larger parcel and the Subdivision Rules and Regulations require that all of the land being subdivided must be shown on the plan. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 89. Battleview, off Young Street: The Board reviewed a draft of the Special Permit for the conventional subdivision. A poll was taken on whether to include as a condition that land within ten feet of the conservation easement be protected. Four members favored including that language; Mr. Sorensen did not On the mo- tion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board voted unanimously to grant a Special Permit for a conventional subdivision under Section 9.4 of the Zoning By -Law and to approve the wording of the decision, as amended. 90. Ingleside, near Maple Street: The Board reviewed the draft of the Certificate of Action. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Sandy, the Board voted unanimously to approve the definitive subdivision plan for the Ingleside Subdivision and to accept the Certificate of Action as drafted. The Board signed the Certificate of Action. The Board reviewed the draft of the Special Permit and discussed the issue of the large trees along the lot line of Lot 16A. It was agreed to modify the condition that the trees be protected. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Smith, the Board voted unanimously to grant a Special Permit for the construction of a conventional subdivision, as provided in Section 9.4 of the Zoning By -Law and to approve the decision as corrected. 91. Trinity Covenant Estates, near Allen Street; Public Hearing: Mrs. Wheaton opened the public hearing on the subdivision by reading the notice of the public hearing. Mrs. Smith disqualified herself from acting on the subdivision because she owns property abutting the subdivision. Dennis Lowe, attorney and trustee for Trinity Realty Trust, was present and spoke briefly on the plans. Dorothy Covert, an abutter, said that stakes had been placed across the back of her lot and rep- resentatives of the Engineering Department had discussed constructing a sewer across the back of her property. She questioned how the sewer proposed for the subdivision related to the sewer proposed to be constructed by the Town. After much discussion, it was agreed that more information is needed from the Engineering Department on this subject. 1 C May 4, 1981 Page 2 The Board reviewed a draft of a Certificate of Action and made corrections. It was agreed to delete condition #2 and to require that a catchbasin be added to the plans. Further action on the Certificate of Action was deferred until the sewer situation is clarified. 92. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS Hearing of May 14, 1981 186 Bedford Street, Mystic Valley MHC: SP - Hours of Operation ----- The Board discussed problems of parking and compatible lighting in the parking areas adjacent to abutting homes. The Board agreed that the Center is an asset to the Community and that evening hours are needed for this type of center. The Board also agreed that the Center has outgrown its existing structure, which is located in a residential district, and that the Center should be encouraged to find a more suitable location. Mrs. Wheaton will write a recommendation incorporating those opinions, to be transmitted to the Board of Appeals. The Board reviewed a staff analysis, dated May 1, 1981, on applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals on May 21, 1981. The Board agreed to make no recommendation on the applications re: 3 John Poulter Road, Lawn Kiley: Swimming Pool 47 Liberty Avenue, Ming Jer: Variance - front yard 40 Hartwell Avenue, Control Data: SP - Temporary Use of Trailers 4 Moon Hill Road, Dr. Leonara Zola: SP - Use of Dwelling as an Office The Board requested that in the transmittal to the Board of Appeals comments be made that: (1) before a temporary special permit is issued for the property at 40 Hartwell Avenue, that the location of the trailers be reviewed by the Fire Chief, and (2) that if a special permit is granted for the use of the dwelling at 4 Moon Hill Road as a medical office, that auto- mobile parking be provided on the site for not more than two cars at any one time. 51-53 Woburn Street, Johanna Barrett: Special Permit to convert dwelling to two-family home ---- It was agreed to recommend in favor of granting the special permit requested for the reasons stated in the staff analysis. The recommendation should include a suggested condition that there be no enlarge- ment of the structure. 93. PLANNING BOARD WORK PROGRAM FOR 1981 The Board initiated a discussion of the projects and work items that the Planning Board -Planning Department Staff should undertake in the period until the start of the 1982 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Bowyer reported that in order to accommodate the lower level of appropriations mandated by Proposition 2 1/2, the Planning Department budget for the 1982 fiscal year is projected to be reduced by an amount equivalent to 1/3 of the time of the Assistant Planner. He also noted that in the one year he has served as Planning Director, most of the time of the staff has been consumed in land use regulations and routine matters and very little time has been spent on planning activities. He recom- mend that a concentrated effort be made to reduce the time spent on land use regulations and routine matters so that more time may be spent on planning May 4, 1981 Page 3 activities. Several members commented that the Board has administrative responsibilities prescribed by State law and Town By -Laws that must be met. Several members commented on time spent on planning and making recommenda- tions to other Boards, which are then not followed. Other members commented that time had to be found for planning activities. Discussion on this sub- ject will be continued at a later meeting. 94. Planning Director's Report: Mr. Bowyer asked the opinion of the Board on whether a change in the location of the driveway of Lot B of the•Daisy Wilson subdivision was a "field change" or whether it constituted a change in the conditions of the Special Permit granted for the subdivision. The Board thought it could probably be handled as a "field change" but wanted to see specific plans. The item will be scheduled for the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. Laura Nichols, Clerk 1