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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-11-021 MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING November 2, 1981 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Mem- orial Hall, was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by the Chairman, Mr. Sandy, with members Nichols, Smith, Sorensen, Wheaton, Planning Director Bowyer, Secretary Mrs. Salto and the Town Engineer, Michael Hanlon, present. 204. INFORMATIONAL MEETING: UNACCEPTED STREETS POLI Mr. Sandy opened an informational meeting by explaining the background of the "Policy on Construction Standards for Unaccepted Streets, Relative to Building Lots." About 18 persons were present. Laurence Lewis and Alan Hein, residents of Hunt Road, inquired as to the effect of the new policy on their street. John Semonian of Lowell Street, who is interested in a lot off Ridge Road, said that residents of older lots were left with no choice but to improve their lot, at great expense, or leave town. Alice Monahan of 51 Lowell Street expressed concern about the cost of Haskell Street being accepted; it was explained that the policy only applies when a building permit for a new house is requested. Mark Quinlan commented on the condition of Hayes Lane. Paul A. Phelan objected to the policy as it affects Denver Street. Leo McCabe of Hamblen Street, also interested in Denver Street, expressed concern about the effect of the policy on small lots and the construction of affordable housing. Chairman Sandy said the Board would continue to receive comments from the public and would not make decisions to amend the policy that evening. At 8:44 p.m., the Board recessed its Hall and informed those present that meeting in Room G-15. At 8:50 p.m., in Room G-15, Town Offices. 205. Approval of Minutes informational meeting in Estabrook it would reconvene for its business Chairman Sandy reopened the meeting On the motion of Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Wheaton, the minutes of the meeting of October 19, 1981, were approved unanimously as written. 206. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 4 The Board reviewed a staff analvsis dated October 30, 1981, on applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals. On a motion by Mrs. Wheaton, seconded by Mrs. Smith, it was voted unanimously to make no recommendations on three of the applications: 14 Boulder Road, Kent Loomis: SP, non -complying side yard 10 Battle Green Road, Larry Miller: SP, non -complying front yard 20 Waltham Street, Cory's: SP, restaurant 1403 Mass. Ave.,Adams-Russell Company: SP, TV Studio: The Board questioned the arrangements whereby Adams -Russell Company, which has the franchise for cable TV in Lexington, is permitted to use the Munroe School. Some members noted there was a committment to residents of the area to maintain the play- ground behind the building for neighborhood use. Mr. Bowyer explained that Building Commissioner DiMatteo had ruled that the cable TV studio was a "radio and television transmitting site" as provided in Line 2.3 of the Use Regulations Schedule. Mrs. Nichols observed that it is a profit making company and does not fall under the heading "Institutional, Educational, and Recreational Uses" of that section of the use table. On the motion of Mr. Sandy, seconded by Mrs. Wheaton, it was voted unanimously to oppose a com- mercial use of this school building located in a residential district without the prior approval of the Town Meeting. 11/2/81 Page 2 SUBDIVISION OF LAND 207. Trodden Path, Concord Avenue: Reduction of Surety: The Board reviewed a memorandum from Michael J. Hanlon, Town Engineer, dated October 14, 1981, estimating that $39,000 is the surety necessary to guarantee completion of the Trodden Path Subdivision. Upon a motion by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously to approve the request of Joel H. Greenstein, of J/G Homebuilders, that the surety for the Trodden Path Sub- division be reduced from $73,500 to $39,000 as recommended by the Town Engineer and the Planning Director. 208. Cormier Subdivision, off Grove Street: Extension of Time: On the motion of Mrs. Wheaton, seconded by Mrs. Smith, it was voted 4-0 to honor the re- quest of Oscar Cormier that the time for the Planning Board's consideration of his preliminary subdivision for land off Grove Street be extended until December 23, 1981. Mr. Sandy abstained from voting. 209. Lincoln Hills, off Jean Road: Designation of Street: The Board agreed that Jean Road should be designated as the street address for the two lots in the Lincoln Hills Subdivision. 210. Subdivision Streets Proposed for Acceptance at 1982 Town Meeting: The Board reviewed a list prepared by Michael Hanlon, Town Engineer, of subdivision streets that were ready for acceptance. The Board noted several streets that had outstanding bonds for work incomplete and that it thought Carmel Circle had already been accepted. Mr. Sandy suggested that the status of Philip Road should be reviewed. On the motion of Mrs. Wheaton, seconded by Mrs. Smith, it was voted unanimously to lay this matter on the table until the status of each street could be determined. Mrs. Wheaton suggested that the date on which the release of bond was voted be indicated for each street. OPINION ON CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREET 211. Wachusett Drive, CUS 1981/3: The Board reviewed a memorandum from Michael J. Hanlon, dated October 27, 1981, and a staff analysis dated October 30, 1981, both of which recommended that the Board find that Wachus t Drive is of adequate grade and construction. Mr. Hanlon commented troad is in excel- m,lant condition and is paved for a width of 13-14 feet. /. Bowyer noted that the excellent condition of the road compensated for its one deficiency, i.e., the width of 13-14 feet. Both he and Mr. Hanlon thought it pointless to require a widening of the road to 20 feet for the frontage of this lot when there are 4 additional lots beyond the one in question. Mr. Sorensen noted that this lot is 925 feet away from the nearest public way and is a long, dead-end street which requires that large vehicles back up the length of the street as there is no adequate turnaround. Mrs. Wheaton said she would support the finding if it were limited to the construction of one additional house. Mrs. Smith made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sandy. Mrs. Wheaton offered an amendment to the motion, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, and the amendment was approved by a vote of 5-0. The motion, as amended, was: That with respect to the section of Wachusett Drive abutting Lot 236, as shown on Assessor's Map 33, the construction standard for sufficient width as set forth in the "Policy on Construction Standards for Unac- cepted Street, Relative to Building Lots," is waived and the Planning Board finds that section of Wachusett Drive is of adequate grade and construction to serve two houses on Lots 236 and 264. 11/2/81 Page 2a and was approved by a vote of 4 in favor and 1, Mr. Sorensen, against. On the motion of Mr. Sandy, seconded by Mrs. Wheaton it was voted unanimously that this determination shall be in effect for two years from this date and if a building permit is not issued for the construction of a dwelling by that time, this determination shall lapse and the Planning Board would have to re- view the condition of Wachusett Drive again. i F_j 1 11/2/81 Page 3 POLICIES, COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING 212. Revision to Policy on Rezoning and Traffic, Bedford Street/Hartwell Avenue: The Board reviewed a suggested revision to the Planning Board policy on "Relationship Between Additional Traffic and the Rezoning of Land in the Bedford Street -Hartwell Avenue Area." Mr. Bowyer recommended that the Plan- ning Board fine-tune its policy on land development in the Hartwell Avenue area to coordinate with the likelihood that traffic improvements in the area will be installed in stages. The draft revision he presented was based on having the amount of development permitted and the limitations on peak hour travel, related to the type, and timing, of traffic improvements. The draft contained a proposal that the percentage of parking spaces to be physically limited during morning and evening peak hours be reduced from 80% to 40% depending on the status of construction activities for traffic improvements. Julian Bussgang of Signatron, Inc., and Claude Hoopes and Sam Altreuter of Spaulding and Slye, and James Cosgrove were present to iscuss an alterna- tive proposal for the development of the Cosgrove prope ty. They now pro- pose two buildings, one of 55,000 square feet for Signa ron and the other of 75,000 for Spaulding and Slye. A third building wil be constructed eventually adjacent to Wood Street but would not.be par of a CD rezoning proposal at this time. They would prefer to have an 80 limitation on parking spaces at Signatron and 50% in the Spaulding an Slye building dur- ing the morning peak hour only; they do not believe in restriction in the evening peak hour. ' Mrs. Wheaton said she thinks any deviation from the past policy is folly. She would not support any rezoning`on Hartwell Avenue un it Bedford Street and the Eldred Street intersection are rebuilt. Mrs. Smith said that some type of compromise may have merit but she thought the limitation on the Spaulding and Slye building should also be at least 80%. Mr. Sandy ques- tioned whether the policy should lapse after five years or should be continued indefinitely, or until the traffic improvements are completed. He does not want to see the Town stuck with a bad situation. Mrs. Smith suggested that the policy not attempt to define Stage 1 and Stage 2 of construction at this time. Mr. Sorensen asked for a clarification of the policy at the beginning, i.e., if no construction is initiated by the State. Mrs. Wheaton suggested, and all members agreed, there should be a meeting with residents of the North Lexington area before the policy is revised. It was agreed that Mr. Bowyer would re -draft sections of the policy to clarify the points raised by the Board; another review would be made by the Board; and then a public information meeting would be scheduled. 213. Cluster Development in RS District: Mr. Sandy suggested that the Board con- sider permitting cluster development in the RS zoning district. His initial thoughts are for a lot with 100 feet of frontage and 10,000 feet of lot area. There was general agreement the idea was worth pursuing but some members questioned whether work could be accomplished for the 1982 Town Meeting. REPORTS 214. Planning Director's Report a. Planning for Recreation Commission: Mr. Bowyer distributed a copy of a letter from the Recreation Committee, dated November 2, requesting that 11/2/81 Page 4 the Planning Board work with the Committee on updating the "Master Plan for Recreation and Open Space in Lexington" which the Committee contends needs to be updated. Members of the Board thought the plan for recrea- tion is in much better shape than that for a number of other responsibil- ities of the Town for which there is no plan. In view of the other areas that need attention and the work load of the staff, it does not appear that a priority could be assigned to updating the recreation plan. A letter to that effect will be sent to the Recreation Committee. b. Cataldo Subdivision: Mr. Sandy is the Board member with responsibility for the Cataldo Subdivision off Blossomcrest Street. He will review the plans thoroughly. At the next meeting, the waivers will be presented for a straw vote. REPORTS BY MEMBERS a. Muzzey School Re -use: Mr. Sandy reported on an open meeting held by the Muzzey School Re -use Committee to receive suggestions for the re -use of the building. The neighborhood input was inconclusive. The meeting was adjourned at 11:28 p.m. /laws sO Karsten Sorensen, Clerk 11