HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-05MINUTES OF LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD MEETING
October 5, 1981
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices
was called to order at 8:35 p.m. by the Chairman, Mr. Sandy, with members
Nichols, Smith, Sorensen and Planning Director Bowyer present. Mrs. Wheaton
was absent.
189. Approval of Minutes
On the motion of Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, the minutes of
the meeting of September 22, 1981, were approved as written by a vote
of 3-0. Mrs. Nichols abstained because she did not attend that meeting.
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190. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board reviewed a staff analysis, dated October 2, 1981, on
applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals on October 22. After
discussion of the cases, it was agreed to make no recommendations on
the applications re:
28 Woodpark Circle, Alan Jones: SP, Swimming Pool
682 Marrett Road, Burrell Lowery: Variance, Dimensional Controls
11 Depot Square, Flowers at the Depot Inc.: SP, Sign
55 Hayden Avenue, W. R. Grace: SPS --The Board reviewed a draft report
on the SPS and requested that the staff check several dimensions.
' Several sections of the draft report are incomplete pending a hearing
by the Conservation Commission under the Wetland Protection Act. On the
motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Smith, it was voted
unanimously to approve the text of the report and to have the Planning
Director re -write the recommendation, subject to the approval of the
Chairman, to say that the Board of Appeals should keep the hearing open
until the Order of Conditions has been issued by the Conservation
Commission. That will provide the opportunity for the Planning Board
to change its recommendation if need be.
It was agreed to inform the Building Commissioner and the Board of
Appeals that there appear to be violations of the provisions on building
height and number of stories and that the applicant would need a variance.
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
191. Trinity Covenant Estates, near Allen Street: Execution of Covenant:
On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted
3-0 to approve and sign the covenant for this subdivision. Mrs. Smith
abstained.
ZONING ARTICLES FOR 1982 TOWN MEETING
192. Meeting with Residents of Marrett Road/Lincoln Street Area:, A delegation
of residents from the Marrett Road/Lincoln Street area was present to
register their opposition to a proposed re -zoning of land at the corner
of those two streets•. (See minutes item 184, 9/22/81) Stanley Wallack,
315 Lincoln Street outlined three principal reasons for opposition: (1)
a commercial use too close to residential properties, (2) traffic hazards
at that intersection and (3) spot re -zoning for business speculation which
can have a "domino effect" in the neighborhood. Mr. Sorensen commented
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that the Planning Board should have criteria for commercial re -zoning
and these issues should not be decided solely by the strength of the
neighborhood opposition. Mrs. Nichols commented that historically
attempts to have zoning districts for neighborhood or town -oriented
uses have failed because regionally oriented office space has taken
over. Mrs. Smith suggested that obtaining traffic improvements to
the intersection was important and that no re -zoning should be con-
sidered until the traffic improvements were guaranteed.
193. 175-181 Bedford Street, Request for Enforcement of Sign Regulations
The Board reviewed a draft memorandum prepared by Chairman Sandy to be
sent to the Building Commissioner requesting enforcement of the Zoning
By-law against free-standing signs erected on the property. Under
Section 10.4.4c, those signs require a Special Permit. After discussion,
it was agreed to not send a memorandum to the Building Commissioner at
this time but to have Mrs. Smith, who will be attending the Board of
Appeals Hearing on October 8 raise the point that Special Permits are
needed for the signs and to ask whether the owner intends to apply for them.
194. REPORTS By MEMBERS
194a. Cormier Subdivision off Grove Street: It was agreed to schedule
a discussion of the preliminary subdivision plans on October 19
and to invite the residents of the area. More residents should
be invited now that the area of the subdivision has been increased.
' 194b. Trodden Path Subdivision: Mrs. Nichols reported that she had met
with Donald Jenkins and three neighbors on the issue of the trees
on lots 4 and 5. (See item 174c, 8/31/81). The neighbors will
get back to Mrs. Nichols with a revised plan.
194c. Bedford Street -Hartwell Avenue Traffic Improvements: Mr. Sorensen
distributed a copy of a letter from Michael Hanlon, Town
Engineer, in response to a letter from Mr. Sorensen about the
traffic carrying capacity of the intersection if re -constructed.
194d. Subcommittee on Revision to Subdivision Regulations: The sub-
committee will meet Wednesday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Planning Board Office.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
Karsten Sorensen, Clerk
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