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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-04-04121 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 4, 1983 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Nichols, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. 67. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, the minutes of the meeting of March 21, 1983, were approved unanimously as written. SUBDIVISION OF LAND LO 68. Kitson Park, off Concord Avenue; Reduction of Surety, Acceptance of Surety: N It was agreed to take up the reduction of surety which had been placed on the table ® (see Minutes 2/28/83, Item 30). The Board was in receipt of a memorandum from Q Francis X. Fields, Town Engineer, dated February 23, 1983, recommending that the M surety for the subdivision be reduced from $190,000 to $60,000. On the motion of LLJ Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to reduce the surety Q from $190,000 to $60,000. In the proposed surety agreement, Mrs. Smith noted a disparity between the comple- tion dates in the document. After discussion of the meaning and effect of the schedule of construction contained in paragraph 4 of the proposed agreement, the Board agreed to delete the schedule and to have paragraph 4 end with the words "....release a specified sum." On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. ' Flemings, it was voted unanimously to approve the surety presented by the developer in a document entitled "Performance Secured by Funds Retained by Lender," dated March 30, 1983, signed by William H. Hamilton, the developer, and Theresa C. Campbell for the Merchant's Cooperative Bank, as such document was amended by the Board, and endorsed such document by the signatures of each member of the Board. As this document was the first use of the new standard form for the provision of surety with funds held by a lending institution (see minutes of March 14, 1983, Item 46), in view of the issues raised by the construction schedule in the fourth paragraph, it was agreed to delete that schedule from the standard form. 69. Simonds Estates, off Grove Street; Release of Lots: Mr. Bowyer explained that the developer, Oscar Cormier, sought the release of two lots in the subdivision which already had frontage on a public way and had utility services. Mrs. Smith noted that the Release of Lots form submitted by the developer referred to the pre- liminary subdivision plan, rather than the definitive, and did not show the book, page and plan reference of the recording of the definitive subdivision. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously to release lot 1, with frontage on Grove Street, and l-ot 16, with frontage on North Emerson Road, because the municipal services required to serve those lots are already installed, and to have the Planning Director hold the Release of Lots form until the information on book, page and plan reference is entered. ARTICLES FOR 1983 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 70. Signing of Reports: The Board signed its reports on Articles 10-16 and the 1983 Report on the Housing Policy Resolution. Planning Board Meeting: April 4, 1983 2 11, Article 9 (LexHAB): Mrs. Smith reported on an apparent difference of opinion among the Board of Selectmen as to what charge should be given to the Housing Assistance Board. Apparently the Selectmen have agreed to include in the proposed legislation, a broad set of responsibilities. The difference is over the charge to the Housing Assistance Board. One point of view is to limit LexHAB's responsibili- ties to a redevelopment of the Muzzey School property initially. LexHAB would not take on any responsibilities other than those assigned specifically by the Board of Selectmen. The other point of view is to give the Housing Assistance Board a fair- ly broad charge so that it is free to undertake housing tasks as they develop with- out needing the prior concurrence of the Board of Selectmen. After discussion, it was agreed unanimously that the Planning Board favors a broad charge to the Housing Assistance Board. 72. Article 10, Land Transfer, "Poor Farm": Mr. Bowyer reported that Mrs. Nichols and the staff had reviewed the Conservation Master Plan for reference to the "poor farm". He reported that the transfer of the "poor farm" is not mentioned specifi- cally and is not listed in the five-year action program. The justification for the transfer of the "poor farm" would stem from more general language about providing open space in neighborhoods and the like. Mrs. Nichols said the only reference that she found was in connection with a bike path system, as a link to the conser- vation area adjacent to Garfield Street. other land would need to be acquired in order to make that connection. She did not see that the acquisition of the "poor farm" land was designated. Mrs. Nichols also reported that in the 1978 Housing Study, the "poor farm" land was not considered favorably for housing purposes because it did not meet criteria on the distance from schools, recreation and shopping facilities. ' Mrs. Smith noted that the Planning Board's position is not that the "poor farm" land is not suitable for conservation purposes. As part of a land use planning process, various alternatives have to be considered and a use of that land, whether for conservation or housing, cannot be designated at this time. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. /Udith J. rig, Cler 1 ON