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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 27, 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 Vice Chairman Nichols, with members Sandy, Uhrig and
Planning Director Bowyer present. Chairman Smith joined the meeting during discus-
sion of Item 198. Mr. Sorensen was absent.
196. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of December 6, 1982, were corrected and on a motion by Mr.
Sandy, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, were approved, as corrected, by a vote of 3-0.
N;. SUBDIVISION OF LAND r
197. Woodpark Estates: Final Release of Surety
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e(i The Board was in receipt of a memo from Town Engineer Frank Fields, dated Decem-
ber 10, 1982, indicating all work on the subdivision has been completed. On the
motion of Mrs. Uhrig, seconded by Mr. Sandy, it was voted 3-0 to release all surety
held on the Woodpark Estates Subdivision.
198. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS
As copies of the staff analysis had not yet been distributed to the members, Vice
Chairman Nichols read from the staff analysis dated December 21, 1982, for cases to
rF be heard by the Board of ..Appeals on January 6, 1983.
27 Freemont Street, Clark -Worcester: Variance, front yard: On the motion of Mrs.
Uhrig, seconded by Mr. Sandy, it was voted 3-0 to make no recommendation other than
to comment that the front yard setback should be measured to the stairs (which come
down from the deck) and not simply to the deck itself.
Chairman Smith joined the meeting at this point. Vice Chairman Nichols continued to
chair the meeting through item 198.
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=It was agreed, by a vote of 4-0, to make no recommendation on the following cases:
33 Young Street, William J. Hurley: SP, maintain a non -conforming dwelling
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187-189 Bedford Street, Philip Ciampa: SP, illuminated wall sign
25 Bedford Street, Moore Homes Inc.: SP, dwelling conversion to two family_: On the
motion of Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Sandy, it was voted 4-0 to make a favorable
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recommendation for the reasons outlined in the staff recommendation.
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17 Hartwell Avenue, Kendall Company: SP, storage shed for solvent wastes: The com-
panyis application stated that the storage of drums within the lab facility created a
hazardous situation to laboratory personnel. The staff questioned whether the use
was an accessory use and whether the use is permitted under the Zoning By -Law at all
if, as the applicant states, the material creates a hazardous situation to laboratory
personnel. It was agreed to defer a decision on this case until the next meeting.
Mrs. Nichols will check with the Building Commissioner, Fire Chief and Health Direc—
tor to find more about the use.
Planning Board Minutes: December 27, 1982 2 255
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, POLICIES
Mrs. Smith assumed chairing the meeting.
199. Accessory Apartments, Issues Analysis: Chairman Steven Clark, Cornelius Cronin,
and Margaret Rawls of the Accessory Apartments Committee and Chairman Gail Colwell of
the Housing Advisory Committee were present for review of an issues Analysis paper,
dated December 21, 1982. Mr. Bowyer distributed an individual ranking form on which
members could express their agreement or disagreement with various positions or pro-
posals dealing with accessory apartments. Members will complete the individual rank-
ing form and return it to the department office by Wednesday, December 29.
LO
N There appeared to be a consensus among the Board on the following points. A rela-
0; tively small percentage of single family homes will be converted to permit accessory
apartments. With a small percentage being converted, accessory apartments will not
m make significant inroads into meeting identified housing needs. They will provide a
greater choice of housing accommodations. Some may be usable as "life cycle" houses.
Q As for tax revenue, there may be noticeable increases on individual houses which have
accessory apartments, but the increased tax revenue for the Town will be negligible.
Members of the Accessory Apartments Committee agreed that further work was needed on
several parts of the proposal. The provision for only one entrance on the front of
the building needs to consider secondary entrances, such as through breezeways. The
requirement for demonstrating continuous use, of an assumed pre-existing, non-con-
forming use, may be satisfied by evidence from the two most recent years or three of
the last five-years.- A procedure should be established for administrative regulations
that are not included in the Zoning By-Law.
The Board agreed that the minimum requirement of 10,000 square feet of lot area and
2,000 square feet of floor area is good. The Board concurs in the proposal that
either 30% of floor area or 800 square feet, whichever is larger, should be the maxi-
mum size of an accessory apartment.
Mrs. Rawls pointed out it is important to continue to think of these structures as
single family houses without a change in exterior appearance. The Committee is in-
sistent upon permission being ,granted as a matter of right without requiring action
by the Board of Appeals. The Committee is attempting to define what type of permit-
to issue; it cannot be called a special permit because that would require a hearing.
It may be some type of renewal occupancy permit.
REPORTS
200. Planning Board Members, Subcommittees
a. Muzzey Conversion: The schedule projected by the Board of Selectmen for the con-
version of Muzzey School was reviewed. It was agreed to schedule the Planning
Board's zoning hearing for Thursday, January 27, 1983.
b. Hill Street Subdivision: Mrs. Smith read a letter from Anthony,Cassendino, James
Tiernan, and John Zvara which expressed the concerns of neighbors about the de-
velopment and pledged cooperation in exploring alternatives in the development of
the property.
Planning Board Minutes: December 27, 1982 3