HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-16PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 16, 1985
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in room G-1, Town Offices, was
called to order at 9:16 a.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Cripps,
Flemings, Sorensen and Planning Director Bowyer present. Mrs. Uhrig joined the
meeting during the discussion of Article 15.
ARTICLES FOR 1985 TOWN MEETING
64. Article 12, Conversion of One Famiy Dwelling: The Board reviewed a draft of
the report dated March 13, 1985. It was agreed to add language at the beginning
to state the Planning Board's objective more clearly and to emphasize the protec-
tion to be afforded single family neighborhoods from the amount of conversion now
permitted by Section 5.3. Other editorial changes were agreed to.
65. Article 15, Parking Space Elevations: David Williams, Angela Frick and
Joyce Miller of the Conservation Commission were present to request that the
Planning Board expand the language to prohibit any parking in an area currently
designated as within a 100 -year flood area. The wording of the article prevents
the construction of required parking spaces at an elevation below the 100 -year
flood level but would permit the construction of extra (non -required) parking
below the 100 -year flood elevation and would permit the construction of required
parking spaces if the area is filled to an elevation higher than the 100 -year
flood elevation.
Mrs. Smith and Mr. Bowyer pointed out that the proposed amendment would be in the
parking section of the Zoning By -Law and would draw its justification from zoning
and the provision of off-street parking. While the complete prohibition of any
parking in an area of a 100 -year flood elevation may be desirable for environ-
mental reasons, it would not be easy to justify that action for off-street park-
ing -zoning reasons, which are the subject of Article 15. It was agreed that the
environmental objectives would be better achieved through Article 9, the Conser-
vation Commission's proposed amendments to the Town's Wetland Protection By -Law.
66. Article 16, Congregate Living Facility: The Board reaffirmed its approach --
new construction of congregate living facilities, including additions to existing
buildings, would be by Town Meeting action only. The conversion of an existing
dwelling, without any addition, would be the only type of congregate living
facility permitted in the RO or RS district and that would require a special
permit from the Board of Appeals.
67. Article 17, Health Hazards: It was agreed to change one paragraph in the
draft report.
68. Article 18, CD, Concord Avenue: In a poll of the Board, four members are in
favor of the amendment. Mr. Sorensen is opposed because he believes the screen-
ing is inadequate and the need for additional office space in town has not been
justified. The members in favor said the report should cite the design of the
proposal, the restrictions limiting the development to small offices, and the
traffic capacity of the intersection, which is adequate.
Planning Board Minutes: March 16, 1985
N
69. Article 19, CD, 16 Hayden Avenue: Mrs. Uhrig disqualified herself from the
discussion on this article. The Board reviewed a draft of the report dated March
15, 1985. It was agreed to change the order of paragraphs one and two in the
recommendation section. Four members of the Board support the rezoning.
70. Article 20, RD, 188 Lowell Street: The Board reviewed a draft of a report
dated March 14, 1985. It was agreed to change the order of the paragraphs in the
recommendation section and to make several other editorial changes, particularly
the language about the "entrance endowment," which may be misleading as now
written.
71. Article 21, RD, Woburn Street: The Board had a general discussion of the
Woodhaven Realty proposal. The issues seem to be: the number of dwelling units
beyond 650 feet from Woburn Street and the means of access to them, the adequacy
of access for emergency vehicles, and the location of the interior drive within
the 40 -foot setback from the side lot line.
Members liked the provision of affordable housing, particularly rental housing.
That would be preferable to a subdivision of one -family homes. Nevertheless, the
Board cannot support a rezoning simply because it provides affordable housing; it
cannot ignore all other site planning and zoning considerations. The location,
adjacent to Woburn Street, is a good one for multi -family development.
Members noted that there were really two distinct parts to this site. The part
nearest Woburn Street does not have many problems. The back land, furthest from
Woburn Street, up the hill, has a number of difficult site planning problems.
The Board considered recommending in favor of a modified rezoning which would
permit multi -family development on the part of the site nearest Woburn Street
while not recommending a rezoning, at this time, for the other part of the site.
72. Article 22, RM, Lowell Street: The Board reviewed a draft of a report dated
March 8, 1985. A number of editorial changes were suggested.
The Board discussed the propriety of commenting on the design of the buildings
and of the site. Mrs. Uhrig and Mrs. Flemings supported commenting on the design
of the proposal. The Board should not always comment on design but should do so
when it is particularly good or bad. They reported they had heard a number of
negative comments after the public hearing directed specifically at the design of
the buildings. A majority of the Board favored including comments on the quality
of the design in the report.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Cudith J. UH�g, Clerk G'
1