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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-02-27PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 1984 PUBLIC HEARINGS The Lexington Planning Board held three public hearings on proposed zoning amend- ments in the auditorium of Jonas Clarke Junior High School. The hearings were con- ducted on: Article 23, Wellington Lane Avenue; began 7:41 p.m., closed 8:09 p.m. Article 18, CR District, FAR; began 8:10 p.m., closed 8:55 p.m. Article 24, CD District, 16 Hayden Avenue; began 8:56 p.m., closed 9:42 p.m. The business meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the auditorium of Jonas Clarke Junior High School, was called to order at 9:50 p.m., by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Nichols, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. PLANS NOT REQUIRING SUBDIVISION APPROVAL 31. Land on Hartwell Avenue, Opposite Hartwell Place, Alfred Tropeano, Form A-84/3: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Flemings, it was voted unanimously: That the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass." dated February 10, 1984, by Miller & Nylander Company, Lexington, Mass., certified by Donald J. Forand, Registered Land Surveyor, with application Form A-84/3, by Alfred P. Tropeano, does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. ' 32. 124-128 Spring Street, Beal Company, Form A-84/4: The Board reviewed a plan dated December 13, 1983, of the Ledgemont property at 124-128 Spring Street which showed a Parcel A, with 10.085 acres and containing the existing Ledgemont research buildings. Mr. Bowyer commented that if the property were subdivided as proposed, there would be a potential violation of the floor area ratio requirement proposed in Article 18. As the notice for the public hearing on Article 18 had been pub- lished prior to the submission of the application for Form A-84/4, the applicants would be considered to be on notice of the effect of the floor area ratio require- ment if adopted. Both of the proposed lots have sufficient frontage. Mr. Sorensen commented, and other members agreed, that as both proposed lots have sufficient frontage, the Planning Board should sign the plan although that does not imply compliance with zoning regulations. The Board discussed what steps the Town should take to deal with zoning violations that may occur as the result of the Planning Board's endorsement of an Approval Not Required plan. It was decided to seek the advice of Town Counsel in this regard. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Nichols, it was voted unanimously to lay the item on the table. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 33. Maple Tree Village, Extension of Time: The Board was in receipt of a letter from Landmark Associates, dated February 27, 1984, requesting an extension of time for action on the definitive subdivision plan. On the motion of Mrs. Flemings, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously to approve the request of Land- mark Associates that the time for action on the definitive subdivision plan and the special permit be extended until April 5, 1984. Planning Board Minutes of February 27, 1984 ARTICLES FOR 1984 TOWN MEETING 2 34. Articles 14-17, Parking -Center: Mr. Bowyer reported that he had met with John Connery, consultant to the Chamber of Commerce, that morning. Connery reviewed the procedures for conducting the land use analysis, agreed they were professional and that he would not question the methodology of the land use analysis. Most of the concerns Connery expressed at the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce on February 21, were satisfied when he reviewed the up-to-date version of the proposed arti- cles. He still has concerns about: 1) the proposed parking factors which he thinks will result in a greater amount of land area devoted to parking than he believes is desirable. He recognizes that a number of properties will not have any additional development potential regardless of how much the floor space in the parking factors is reduced. He hopes to have the Chamber recognize that point and still support the proposed amendments in principle while seeking a modification of the parking factor; and 2) the two story -30 foot height limit in the CB district. Connery believes that developers will not build sloping roofs unless they are able to occupy the space under the roof. He thinks that will result in only flat roofed, two story buildings and he questions the desirability of that result. 35. Article 19, Special Permit, Traffic Considerations and Article 20, Lot Frontage and Lot Width: It was agreed that additional work is needed to improve the lan- guage to respond to the concerns raised at the public hearing. 36. Article 22, Setback for Swimming Pools: In discussing its recommendation to Town Meeting, the Board did agree that it was not a proposal about which it had strong feelings. The members were divided on what recommendation to make. Mrs. Smith is not in favor because of potential noise and nuisance and the visual impact of above ground pools. Mr. Sorensen is not convinced of any need to change from the existing situation. In an informal poll of the Board, Mrs. Smith and Mr. Sorensen would recommend against. Mrs. Nichols is "midly" in favor, Mrs. Uhrig is "somewhat" in favor, and Mrs. Flemings is "somewhat" opposed. The staff was asked to prepare a report outlining the arguments on both sides. The Board will decide on its recommendation at a later time. REPORTS 37. Planning Board Members, Subcommittees a. Hotel -Conference Center, Minuteman Technical School: Mrs. Uhrig reported that Town Meeting Member John Hayward had been able to have a bill introduced into the Legislature seeking to restrict the use of public funds for the con- struction of a hotel -conference center. He asked that the Planning Board send a letter to the Local Affairs Committee supporting the bill. Mrs. Uhrig observed that the bill does not deal with the use of the land by private parties who do not expend public funds. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Uhrig thought that any response should be done in concert with the Board of Selectmen and should represent a position of the Town. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 p.m. Judith J Uhrig, Clerk