HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-09-20345
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 1982
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was
called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Nichols,
Sandy, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present.
142. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of September 13, 1982, were corrected and on a motion by
LO Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, were approved unanimously as corrected.
CV DETERMINATION OF PLANNING BOARD APPROVAL
0
Q 143. Adams School Land, Form A-82/5
QThe Board reviewed a plan of land of the Adams School, off Massachusetts Avenue. Mr.
Bowyer explained that a new "property line" had been drawn merely to define the
boundaries of land which would be leased by the Waldorf School. The Town will con-
tinue to own all the land. On the motion of Mr. Sandy, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it
was voted unanimously:
1) The plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.," dated January 15,
1982 by Joseph W. Moore Company of Bedford, Mass., certified by Roger M.
Corbin, registered land surveyor, with application Form A-82/5 by Francis
X. Fields, Town Engineer, does not require approval under the Subdivision
Control Law; and
2) that a notation be placed on the plan that "approval of this plan does not
certify that all parcels conform to current zoning requirements for lot
frontage and the parcels do not necessarily qualify as building lots for
zoning purposes;" and
3) that the Planning Director is authorized to sign the plan in behalf of the
Board after the notation is placed on the plan.
144. Garrity House Land, Massachusetts Avenue, Form A-8
The Board reviewed a plan of land of Buckman Park, off Massachusetts Avenue, opposite
the Battle Green. Mr. Bowyer explained that a "property line" had been drawn to
delineate the area to be included in the reconstruction of the Garrity House, which
had been approved by the Town Meeting. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by
Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously;
The plan entitled "Compiled Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. for Garrity
House Conveyance" dated May 10, 1982, by Walter J. Tonaszuck, Jr., Town
Engineer, with application Form A-82/6 by Walter J. Tonaszuck, P. E.,
Town of Lexington, does not require approval under the Subdivision Control
Law.
Planning Board Meeting: 9/20/82 2
347
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
145. Simonds Estates, off Grove Street: Continuation of Hearing, Certificate of
Action: Mr. Sandy disqualified himself from the discussion as he is an abutter to
the subdivision. Chairman Smith reopened the hearing at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Smith read a
memo from David G. Williams, dated September 15, 1982, that indicated the Conserva-
tion Commission concurs with the findings that the flared inlet structure will main-
tain flood water levels at preconstruction elevations and that the Conservation Com-
mission had approved the inlet structure shown in the plans. Town Engineer Frank
Fields explained that the objective of the drainage system was to reproduce the same
inlet control, but relocate it to the upland meadow, and to maintain the same water
runoff characteristics. David Williams explained that the runoff from the construc-
tion of the four houses and Mead Circle was not considered a significant increase in
LO flow. Mr. Bowyer explained that the plans had been reviewed by the staffs of the
N Engineering Department, Conservation Commission and Planning Department and were
® satisfactory to them.
M In response to a question from Mrs. Charna Levine of 361 North Emerson Road, Mr.
Q Fields explained that drainage conditions in the area would be improved by: 1) relo-
cation of a catch basin, which had been in the grass strip, to the edge of the pave-
ment in North Emerson Road so that water can flow more easily, and 2) moving the in-
let structure upstream into the meadow so that water will no longer pass over the
Levine property. The hearing was concluded at 8:07 p.m.
The Board reviewed a draft of a Certificate of Action dated September 20, 1982. Mr.
Bowyer explained further revisions in the draft which had been suggested by a member
' of the Board. It was noted that several dates and numbers needed to be changed. On
the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted 4-0 to approve the
definitive subdivision plan entitled "Simonds Estates" comprising seven sheets and an
index plan, with the latest revision date September 7, 1982, and to approve the Cer-
tificate of Action dated September 20, 1982, as corrected. Mr. Sandy abstained from
the vote.
146. PLANNING BOARD FEES
Chairman Smith commented that she thought the Planning Board should have a consistent
policy for the fee for zoning review for municipal projects. It was agreed that the
Board does not concur with the approach taken by the Board of Selectmen, i.e., that
fees be handled on a case by case basis or that fees be returned if the proposal is
not successful. Chairman Smith commented that the amount of staff work in review of
zoning proposals, which is the principal basis of the fee, would take place anyway as
the staff works with the Town Manager and other departments. Conversion of school
buildings are joint ventures in which the Town invites the private developer into the
process. Mr. Sorensen commented that he could not buy the argument that the devel-
oper had been mislead by the Town because at each public meeting there was evidence
of substantial opposition.
On the motion of Mrs. Uhrig, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted 3-2, with Mr.
Sandy and Mr. Sorensen opposed, to amend the Planning Board's fee schedule by de-
leting the fee for review of zoning changes which are part of the conversion of a
municipal building. The reasons are to have a consistent policy with respect to fees
for all conversions of municipal buildings and to recognize such projects are joint
ventures involving the Town and private developers.
1
Planning Board Meeting: 9/20/82
REPORTS
147. Planning Board Members
3
a. Chairmen's Meeting: Mrs. Smith reported she had attended a meeting of the
chairmen of various Town boards and committees, convened by the Chairman of
the Board of Selectmen., Many chairmen indicated the need for greater com-
munication among boards.
b. Muzzey Conversion Committee: Mrs. Smith reported that the schedule ar-
ranged by the Muzzey Conversion Committee did not appear to provide enough
time for non-profit developers to prepare proposals. It appears that the
senior center is being dropped from consideration at Muzzey.
c. Board of Appeals Hearing, September 16: Mrs. Uhrig reported that the Board
of Appeals had approved all the applications.
d. Meeting Schedule: It was agreed that meetings in October would be on the
4th and the 18th.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
L -Judith J. Ulirig, Clerk t;
OSE