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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-07-22PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 229 1985 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Cripps, Flemings, Sorensen, Uhrig, Planning Director Bowyer and Secretary Peters present. 171. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Mrs. Uhrig presented an oral review of cases to be heard on August 8, 1985. 321 Marrett Road, Glenn Comeau: SP, restaurant, take-out food service: The Board discussed the parking arrangements (pre-existing, non -conforming) located in the rear of the store block with poor access to the rear of the stores. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen seconded by Mr. Cripps it was voted unanimously that the Board write the Board of Appeals that the Board is not pleased with the proposal, and that four conditions are recommended for inclusion in their decision. 1. There should be well maintained entrances for the public from the parking lot in the rear for all the stores served by the rear parking lot. 2. There should be rear delivery entrances for all stores. 3. A sign saying that parking is in the rear, should be visible in the front of the building. 4. There should be landscaping/screening along the back boundary of the rear parking lot. 32-34 Winter Street, Randall H. Hicks et al: Special Permit, continued use of building as a dwelling: There are two pre-existing non -conforming houses on one lot, and the owners are seeking the special permit to legitimize the situation. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen seconded by Mrs. Flemings, it was voted unanimously to recommend granting the special permit provided a condition is included stipul- ating no further division of the lot be permitted and that this restriction be filed with the deed. 15 Sutherland Road, Diane Jellis; Variance, side yard setback -deck: The Board thought the deck was much too large and encroached too much into the side yard; that this application was incomplete; and that an instrument survey should be furnished. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend against the approval of the application for a variance, since there was no evidence of a hardship. 38 Meriam Street, Estate of Marjorie S. Emery; Variance, to reduce the lot area of a non -conforming lot: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend that the variance not be granted since there appears to be no hardship and it would make a non -conforming lot even smaller. 7 Roosevelt Road, Richard and Mildred Ham; Variance, side yard setback, addition, and Special Permit, continued use of the single family dwelling: with the addi- tion, the sideyard will be 10.5 feet where 12 feet is required. On the motion of Minutes, July 22, 1985 page 2 Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend in favor of granting the special permit and to make no recommendation on the vari- ance application. 55 Pleasant Street, Bruce E. and Susan S. Novich; Variance, to construct a sec- ond -story dormer: The Board thought that allowing the variance would increase a non -conforming use, and a special permit should be applied for from the Board of Appeals. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to make no comment on the application. SUBDIVISION OF 172. Farmhurst V, off Bridge Street: Covenant, Endorsement: Mr. Bowyer reported on the covenants which had been prepared by Town Counsel. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to accept and endorse the covenant executed by Richard D. and Diane Hamilton. 173. Ridge III, off East Emerson Road, Response to Freeman Letter: The Board reviewed Mr. Freeman's letter dated July 10, 1985 to the chairman of the Planning Board urging prompt endorsement of corrections to the definitive subdivision plan and a draft response to that letter. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously that the Board approve the content of the draft letter to Mr. Freeman, that it be reviewed by Town Counsel, and that the chairman be authorized to modify the letter based on recommendations by Town ' Counsel. 174. Pheasant Brook, Status: There has been a problem in the recording of the plans with the Land Court and the Registry of Deeds. Town Counsel has recom- mended that the Board not release lots until these problems have been cleaned up. REPORTS 175. Planning Director a. Wood Street, Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 774: Mr. Bowyer reported on the possible use of a comprehensive permit under Chapter 774 for apartments at Wood Street and Hartwell Avenue. He reviewed the statutory procedure for the use of a comprehesive permit. Lexington has gone through this process twice, in the early seventies. The Board was concerned about what this does to the Town Meeting zoning amendment process, and felt that Lexington had an excellent record for providing low and moderate housing without prodding from the State. Mr. Bowyer pointed out the developer may have some difficulty obtaining State funding if the Congress changes the tax exempt status of State bonds. Palmer and Dodge has begun researching the implications of this procedure for the Town. b. 152 Reed Street, Robert Phelan: Mr. Phelan has requested permission to proceed with construction of his home without completing the construction of the street, explaining that the Town can ensure completion of the road by holding up the issuance of the occupancy permit. He is attempting to work out an arrangement with neighbors to construct the whole block to Town standards and have it accepted. The Board thought he could proceed but that he should be required to post surety to guarantee completion, as subdividers must do. Minutes, July 22, 1985 page 3 c. Development Regulations. Mr. Bowyer reported on the progress of the Development regulations, which will consolidate the Subdivision Regulations with other regulations used in land development in Lexington. d. Article 15 - Parking Space Elevations: Ropes and Gray have written to the Attorney General on behalf of their clients, the Lumberyard development on Bedford Street, objecting to Town Meeting approval of Article 15 of the 1985 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Bowyer reported that he is assisting Palmer and Dodge in the preparation of a response to this objection. The next Planning Board meeting will be on August 12, 1985. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 1 11 Cripps, Clerk