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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. 9/22/81 Page 2 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. 1 9/22/81 Page 3 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 s