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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-08-01PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF AUGUST 1, 1983 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was ' called to order at 7:34 p.m. by the Chairman Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Nichols, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. 140. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of July 11, 1983, were corrected and on the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, were approved as corrected by a vote of 4-0. Mrs. Flemings abstained because she was not present at that meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 141. Baptist Church Parking Lot: Margaret Rawls, TMM Precinct 4, was present to discuss the construction of eight parking spaces on land of the Baptist Church at 1568-1580 Massachusetts Avenue. She recognized the matter may not be in the Plan- ning Board's jurisdiction but asked the Planning Board to express itself about the issue to the Historic Districts Commission. The proposed driveway and parking spaces would not provide screening adjacent to the house at 1556 Mass. Ave., which was constructed circa 1820. She thought the site plan was not based on accurate topographic data and the parking area would be steeper than the plans show. Appar- ently the church's objective is to provide access for handicapped and elderly per- sons but it appears other alternatives may be available. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to send a letter to the Historic Districts Commission enumerating the Planning Board's concerns about the points mentioned above. ' PLANS NOT REQUIRING SUBDIVISION APPROVAL 142. 73 Grassland Street, Paul Valihura: Form A-83/4: On the motion of Mrs. Uhrig, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, the Board voted 3-0, with Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Nichols abstaining, to affirm a vote taken by a telephone poll on June 23, 1983 that: 1. The plan entitled "Compiled Subdivision Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass." dated April 27, 1983, by Miller and Nylander Company of Lexington, Mass., certified by Donald J. Forand, Registered Land Surveyor, with application Form A-83/4 by Paul Valihura and Barbara DeMille, does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law; and 2. That the Planning Director is authorized to sign the plan in behalf of the Board. Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. SMith abstained as they were not able to participate in the telephone poll. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 143. Willow Ridge, off Worthen Road East, Extension of Time: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously to approve the request of the Willow Ridge Land Corporation Inc. and Elliot and Jeanne Abrons, dated June 7, 1983, that the time for action on the application for approval of the definitive subdivision plan and of the application for a special permit under Section 9.4 of the Zoning By -Law be extended until October 19, 1983. Planning Board Meeting - August 1, 1983 2 1 1 145. Simonds Estates, off North Emerson Road: Oscar Board's opinion on eliminating underground wiring and the extension of North Emerson Road. The Board agree prepare a specific plan and present it to the staff pertinent departments. 146. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS Cormier was present to ask the changing slightly the grade of d that Mr. Cormier should first for review by the several Mr. Bowyer outlined orally the cases to be heard by the Board of Appeals on August 11, 1983. It was agreed that the Board would make no recommendation on the follow- ing cases: 421 Lowell St., Lexington Savings Bank: SP, maintain existing structure; SP, addition 134 Lowell St., Russell Serino: 8 Phinney Road, David Tavilla: 29 Barberry Road, J. Jordan and an office 13 Maple Street, David Hughes: SP, addition (non -conforming SP, maintain pool and cabana W. Redpath: SP, use portion Variance, addition structures) of dwelling as 1666 Mass. Ave., Putnam Pantry, SP: Mr. Sorensen reported on the Board of Appeals hearing of July 28 at which the petition for a special permit for Putnam Pantry was heard; another hearing will be scheduled in August or September. Kevin Maguire, 16 Vinebrook Road, was present and objected to an active ice cream store, with exten- sive evening service, at the rear of the building, adjacent to houses in the single residence district. Mr. Sorensen said that a take out window should not be allowed in the rear of the building adjacent to single family homes and that hours of opera- tion should end at 10:00 p.m., consistent with those of Baskin Robbins further up Massachusetts Avenue. Several members commented that it was undesirable to have a parking lot for motorists and young people to congregate at night in the rear of the building out of sight from the street. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Flemings, it was voted unanimously to send a recommendation to the Board of Appeals for its rescheduled hearing on this application. The report will mention concerns about matters that are not techni- cally in violation of the Zoning By -Law and will recommend conditions to be attached to the special permit. The concerns are: 1) the location of an establishment with high trip generating characteristics at the rear of the building in close proximity to a single family residential district, and 2) locating a use with a high parking demand in a building that does not have sufficient parking to service its needs. The recommendations for special conditions will include: 1) the hours of operation for the store end at 10:00 p.m., 2) there must be access to the store from the Massachusetts Avenue entrance as long as the store is open, 3) a "take-out" window not be permitted, 4) a professionally designed lighting plan be prepared that shows sensitivity to adjacent residential properties and 5) a fence be constructed along the rear property line so there is no pedestrian connection to Vinebrook Road. 144. Kitson Park, Reduction of Surety: The Board was in receipt of a memorandum from Francis X. Fields, Town Engineer, dated June 21, 1983, estimating the amount of money necessary to complete the public facilities in this subdivision as $8,725. Mr. Bowyer pointed out the surety may not be reduced to less than 15% ($9,000) of the original surety. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously to reduce the amount of surety to be retained for the completion of the subdivision from $60,000 to $9,000. 1 1 145. Simonds Estates, off North Emerson Road: Oscar Board's opinion on eliminating underground wiring and the extension of North Emerson Road. The Board agree prepare a specific plan and present it to the staff pertinent departments. 146. APPLICATIONS TO BOARD OF APPEALS Cormier was present to ask the changing slightly the grade of d that Mr. Cormier should first for review by the several Mr. Bowyer outlined orally the cases to be heard by the Board of Appeals on August 11, 1983. It was agreed that the Board would make no recommendation on the follow- ing cases: 421 Lowell St., Lexington Savings Bank: SP, maintain existing structure; SP, addition 134 Lowell St., Russell Serino: 8 Phinney Road, David Tavilla: 29 Barberry Road, J. Jordan and an office 13 Maple Street, David Hughes: SP, addition (non -conforming SP, maintain pool and cabana W. Redpath: SP, use portion Variance, addition structures) of dwelling as 1666 Mass. Ave., Putnam Pantry, SP: Mr. Sorensen reported on the Board of Appeals hearing of July 28 at which the petition for a special permit for Putnam Pantry was heard; another hearing will be scheduled in August or September. Kevin Maguire, 16 Vinebrook Road, was present and objected to an active ice cream store, with exten- sive evening service, at the rear of the building, adjacent to houses in the single residence district. Mr. Sorensen said that a take out window should not be allowed in the rear of the building adjacent to single family homes and that hours of opera- tion should end at 10:00 p.m., consistent with those of Baskin Robbins further up Massachusetts Avenue. Several members commented that it was undesirable to have a parking lot for motorists and young people to congregate at night in the rear of the building out of sight from the street. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Flemings, it was voted unanimously to send a recommendation to the Board of Appeals for its rescheduled hearing on this application. The report will mention concerns about matters that are not techni- cally in violation of the Zoning By -Law and will recommend conditions to be attached to the special permit. The concerns are: 1) the location of an establishment with high trip generating characteristics at the rear of the building in close proximity to a single family residential district, and 2) locating a use with a high parking demand in a building that does not have sufficient parking to service its needs. The recommendations for special conditions will include: 1) the hours of operation for the store end at 10:00 p.m., 2) there must be access to the store from the Massachusetts Avenue entrance as long as the store is open, 3) a "take-out" window not be permitted, 4) a professionally designed lighting plan be prepared that shows sensitivity to adjacent residential properties and 5) a fence be constructed along the rear property line so there is no pedestrian connection to Vinebrook Road. Planning Board Meeting - August 1, 1983 3 147, Board/Staff Time on Board of Appeals Cases: Mr. Bowyer said that the time required for planning projects such as South Lexington, the housing report, and center business district studies meant it was difficult to justify spending more than a bare minimum of staff time on review of Board of Appeals cases. The staff would continue to do a thorough analysis of an SPS and other cases in which the Board is required under the Zoning By -Law to make a report. After discussion, it was agreed that the staff would conduct a light review of those cases for which reports are not required and make an oral report to the Board. The application and other documentation which the department receives from the Board of Appeals will be furnished to the Board member who will be attending that hearing so that he/she can review it as well. It was agreed the Board would continue to rotate attendance at Board of Appeals hearings on a monthly basis. ARTICLES FOR 1984 TOWN MEETING r 148. Waltham Street Land, RD Development: John Paino and Dennis Sargent of Paino Associates and architect Herbert Eisenberg were present to discuss the rezoning of the Frasca property off Waltham Street adjacent to the Waltham city line. Their preliminary thinking is a 111 unit condominium development on the 14.5 acre parcel. Mr. Sargent explained that to comply with the Town's objectives of affordable hous- ing that all of the units would sell at less than $100,000. Mrs. Smith commented it is difficult for the Planning Board to take a position at this time because it is in the middle of its South Lexington planning process; a major development of this type may be about one year ahead of the schedule of the ' planning process. Mr. Sorensen commented on the fact there was only one 40 foot wide access serving 111 units. Mrs. Nichols pointed out there was potential en- croachment on wetlands and the development should be based on an accurate site sur- vey. She and Mr. Sorensen also commented on compliance with the 25% open space requirement and the need for usable open space on the site. The Board agreed Paino Associated should develop an accurate site survey before further discussions are held. From the audience, Mrs. Rawls inquired what techniques would be employed for keeping initial sales prices below $100,000 and controlling subsequent resale prices to pre- vent windfalls for the first owners. Mr. Eisenberg responded that the construction cost of the units did not vary appreciably; the major cost variable was the site infrastructure costs. He stressed that a higher density was needed to dilute fixed site development costs. He said there were no expensive amenities like tennis courts or a swimming pool. 149. Acceptance of Streets -- Drummer Boy Way, Fifer Land: The Board reviewed a memorandum from Francis X. Fields, Town Engineer, on the request from the Drummer Boy Homes Association Inc. that Drummer Boy Way and Fifer Lane be accepted as public streets. Several members of the Board recalled representations made by the devel- opers during the Town Meeting and at Board of Appeals hearings that the streets in the condominium development would be private. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously that the Planning Board communi- cate to the Board of Selectmen that it is not in favor of accepting Drummer Boy Way and Fifer Lane as public streets. 1 Planning Board Meeting - August 1, 1983 4 COMMUNICATIONS ' 150. RDNA Research: The Board was in receipt of a memorandum from the Board of Health dated July 14, 1983, about the possibility of recombinant DNA research being conducted in Lexington. It was agreed the Board of Health would be invited to a future meeting to discuss the issue. PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS' DEVELOPMENT 1 1 151. Citizen's Guide to Zoning: The Board reviewed and discussed Chapters 4-5 of this book. Chapters 6-8 will be discussed at the next meeting. REPORTS C] 152. Planning Board Members, Subcommittees a. Meeting Schedule: After review of the vacation plans of members and staff, it was agreed that the next Planning Board meeting would be tentatively scheduled for August 29. b. Board of Appeals Hearing of July 28: Mr. Sorensen reported that on the Kiln Brook IV case, the Board of Appeals started to come to grips with the traffic capa- city requirement in an SPS. The traffic engineer for the applicant would not state that there was sufficient traffic capacity in the adjacent intersections to accommo- date the increased traffic from the development. One member of the Board of Appeals voted against the SPS because of insufficient traffic capacity; four members voted in favor and it was approved. The operator of the Texaco station at Waltham Street and Concord Avenue requested permission to operate 24 hours a day because of competition from stations in Wal- tham. The Board of Appeals granted operating hours until 11:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 p.m. dith J. Uhri lerk