HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-09-22MINUTES OF LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
September 22, 1981
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was
called to order at 7:34 p.m. by the Chairman Mr. Sandy, with members Smith, Sorensen,
Wheaton and Planning Director Bowyer present. Mrs. Nichols was absent.
182. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of September 14, 1981, were corrected and on a
motion by Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Smith, were approved, as corrected,
by a vote of 3-0. Mrs. Wheaton abstained because she did not attend that
meeting.
Mrs. Wheaton requested a clarification of item 174a in the minutes of the
meeting of August 31. Although the majority of the Board agreed to hold
meetings every other week, she had agreed for the month of September only
with the understanding the meeting schedule would be reevaluated after that.
183. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board reviewed a staff analysis, dated September 18, 1981, on applications
to the Board of Appeals. After discussion of the cases, the consensus of the
Board was to make no recommendation on the applications re:
130 Pleasant Street, Montessori School: SP, addition to school building
175 - 181 Bedford Street, Mark Moore: SP, sign
570 Marrett Road, Paul Bauer: Variance, Special Permit - yards
Mr. Sandy stated that he had looked at 175 - 181 Bedford Street and believed
there were seven illegal free standing signs and that he would offer a motion
at the next Planning Board meeting that the Building Commissioner be requested
to enforce the Zoning By -Law on that property. He asked that each of the mem-
bers look at the existing signs before the next meeting.
184. Zoning Articles for 1982 Town Meeting: Marrett Road/Lincoln Street Land
Peter Kelley and Richard F. Perry were present to discuss a petition for a
CD rezoning which they propose to bring to the 1982 Town Meeting for the land
at Marrett Road and Lincoln Street, which was the subject of Article 33 of the
1981 Town Meeting. Mr. Kelley and Mr. Perry wanted to inform the Board that
they had purchased the property and will remove the dilapidated barn and clean
up the lot. They will be meeting with neighbors and wanted to obtain input
from the Board before further architectural work is undertaken. Mr. Kelley
stressed the need for locations for businesses which are based in Lexington
and serve Lexington primarily. Board members commented that traffic conditions
and a sensitive transition to the adjacent residential area are still the key
issues. Mr. Sorensen said he saw the same problems as last year: 1) rezoning a
very small parcel of land, 2) traffic sight lines, and .3) the aesthetics of the
rear of businesses as they face residential property.
Mr. Kelley commented on the traffic study prepared last year and that if the
pavement were Widened 8-10 feet in front of their property, there would be room
for a left turn lane into Lincoln Street headed toward Lexington Center. They
would donate land to the right-of-way to permit the left turn lane to be con-
structed.
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SUBDIVISION OF LAND
185. Trodden Path, Concord Avenue: Amendment to Certificate of Action
The Board reviewed a letter from J/G Homebuilders, dated September 18, 1981,
with an accompanying plan, proposing the planting of pine trees on lots 4
and 5 to compensate for the removal of trees mentioned in Condition 4 of the
Certificate of Action (see Item 174c, 8/31/81). There was a discussion as to
the number of trees that would be sufficient to provide screening. Mrs. Wheaton
questioned whether existing ailanythus and sumac trees would still be on the
site when the drainage easement is installed. She said no new trees should be
planted in the drainage easement. It was agreed to defer action on amending
the Certificate of Action until Mrs. Nichols, who has principal responsibility
for the subdivision, is available.
POLICIES, COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
186. Housing Policy: Discussion
The Board discussed whether to continue its policy of requiring 20% of the
units in a housing development be made available to the Lexington Housing
Authority in order to obtain a favorable Planning Board recommendation on
a rezoning for higher density. All members favor the principle of subsi-
dized housing but there were questions as to whether any funds would be
available for new subsidized housing construction under the Reagan and King
administrations. Mrs. Wheaton favored retention of the policy as is. Mr.
' Sandy will go along with retention of the policy but wants primary emphasis
placed on the production of moderately priced (non -subsidized) units. Mr.
Sorensen and Mrs. Smith do not support retention of the policy unless they
know subsidy funds are going to be available. It was agreed to schedule the
item for action at the meeting of October 19.
187. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
187a.
U.S. Census: Mr. Bowyer reported he had attended
products of the 1980 U.S. Census. He distributed
type of data and when it would be available.
a conference on the
a memo indicating the
187b. Cormier Subdivision, off Grove Street: The Conservation Commission has
invited the Planning Board to join in a site inspection on Sunday,
September 27, at 1:00 p.m. Chairman Sandy announced that he would
disqualify himself from discussion or voting on the Cormier subdivision
because with the now enlarged plan, he is now an abutter.
188. REPORTS BY MEMBERS
188a. Subdivision: Reduction of Surety: Mr. Sandy's suggestion,that the
Board have a policy of not reducing surety unless the amount is at
least 25% of the original bond, was referred to the Subcommittee on
Subdivision Regulations.
188b. Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By -Law: The Board reviewed memoranda
from the Chairman to the Town Manager, the Building Commissioner, and
the Board of Appeals requesting that proposed amendments to the text
of the Zoning By -Law which are sought by either the Building Commissioner
or the Board of Appeals be transmitted to the Planning Board by the end
of October. The Board requested that copies of the memoranda be sent to
the Board of Selectmen as well.
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188c. 55 Hayden Avenue, W. R. Grace: The Board reviewed and approved a
letter from the Chairman to the W. R. Grace Company requesting infor-
mation about the nature of operations to be carried on at 55 Hayden
Avenue.
188d. Annual Meeting, Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards:
Mrs. Wheaton will attend the annual meeting; other members should
notify the Director by October 10 if they wish to attend.
188e. Capital Budget Requests: Mrs. Wheaton advocated submitting a request
for money for the renovation of the Planning Board office so that mem-
bers will have a place to work. After discussion, there was not a con-
sensus to include the item as a capital budget request.
188f. Grants for Historic Preservations: Chairman Sandy read a letter from
the Massachusetts Historical Commission indicating funds were available
for survey and planning grants for historic preservation. The letter
will be kept on file in the office and forwarded to appropriate persons
in the Town.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 p.m.
Karsten Sorensen, Clerk
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