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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-09-09PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1985 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Cripps, Flemings, Sorensen, Uhrig, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. 190. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On the motion of Mr. Cripps, seconded to accept, as written, the minutes of 3, 17, 19, 1984, February 25, May 20, minutes of October 29, 1984 (Executive ed. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously October 1, 1984 (Exec. Session), December June 3, 17, July 1, 22, 1985; and the Session) and August 12, 1985, as correct - Shirley Byrne of Meadow Brook Avenue reported that she has heard the Willow Ridge subdivision, off Barrett Road, may become active again. She requested that the road be called Barrett Road all the way through to Wellington Lane Avenue. She preferred that Charlotte Way, a name originally proposed for a footpath, in memory of her mother, not be used. The Board has no information on this, but will keep her recommendation in mind. ' 191. SIGNATURE AUTHORIZATION FOR RECORDER OF LAND COURT: The Board, Mr. Bowyer and Ms. Rawski signed the signature authorization letter for the Recorder of Land Court. 192. Comprehensive Permit, BIDC, Wood St. Hartwell Ave.: At 7:57 the Planning Board recessed to join the Selectmen, other boards and interested citizens, in Estebrook Hall, to hear a presentation by BIDC on their proposal to build housing on the corner of Wood Street and Hartwell Avenue under the Comprehensive Permit process as allowed in Chapter 40B of the General Laws. Arthur Ullian, William Kasper and W. Gerald Venable presented the plans for BIDC and answered questions from the audience. The Board reconvened at 9:55 p.m. in Room G-15. 193. Galehouse, Buckman Drive; Richard Galehouse and Joseph Steinkrauss present- ed a sketch plan for a subdivision of 4.2 acres of land off Buckman Drive, zoned RS. They propose to divide the parcel into five lots. Two of the homes will be for themselves, and will perhaps contain "accessory" apartments. Mr. Galehouse showed several cul-de-sac proposals to the Board including the use of two hammer- head endings of the road. They are advocating these endings to preserve more of the natural assets of the property. Roger Corbin confirmed the availability of utilities: water, sewer, and storm drainage on Buckman Drive and the location of their road almost halfway between two existing fire hydrants on Buckman Drive. The proposed road would not have any slopes of more than 8% (with cuts). Mrs. Flemings noted that the plan was actually a cluster plan, and Mr. Sorensen reminded the developers that 25% of the development must be dedicated as open Minutes, September 9, 1985 page 2 land. The Board had concerns about the use of the hammer -head type of cul-de-sac ending. Mr. Corbin said that other towns have used these for years. Mr. Stein- krauss said they had checked with two deputy fire chiefs and they had few prob- lems with the configuration. The Board discussed whether the plan has to be a cluster in order to allow the inclusion of accessory apartments in two of the homes. The Board was sympathetic to the concept of preserving as much as possible of the natural beauty of the land and the plans for using accessory apartments. They encouraged the developers to consult with the Engineering Department and the Department of Public Works for guidance on the hammerheads. 194. Pheasant Brook, Kahn -Quinn; Ms. Rawski informed the Board that the staff thought the revised site plan for lot 3 was satisfactory. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to approve the revis- ed site plan. 195. Hampton, off Concord; The Board approved a letter to Boyd -Smith objecting to changes from the approved site plan by construction of retaining walls by the developer; informing them that they must submit a revised site plan for approval by the Board before making changes in the field. 196. Ridge Estates II off Ridge Road; On the motion of Mrs. Flemings, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to accept the quitclaim deed for the conservation land in the Ridge Estates II subdivision. 197. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Mr. Cripps gave an oral review of the cases to be heard by the Board of Appeals on September 12, 1985. It was unanimously agreed to make no comment on all'of the applications (listed below) that will be heard on September 12. 21 Winthrop Road, William Hutchins; Special Permit, continued use of a three car garage 531 Massachusetts Ave., Ryan and Molle; Variance, side lot line 91 Hartwell Ave., c/o Boston Properties; Special Permit, sign. 10 Independence Ave., Jon Westling; Variance, side yard setback. 196 Woburn Street, David Modoono; Special Permit, use regulation. The Board also reviewed the applications to be heard by the Board of Appeals on September 26, 1985. 20 Maguire Road, Dupree Assoc.; Review of Site Plan (see minutes of August 12, 1985). Mr. Bowyer will transmit the Board's recommendations incorporating the position taken at the August 12 meeting. 269 Bedford Street, Mobil Oil: Variance, front yard setback: 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 of the front yard setback. The Board felt that the addition of the canopy, to the gas station, in what is basically a residential area, with two historic Minutes, September 9, 1985 page 3 homes nearby, should not be permitted, as it is aesthetically inapproriate and no hardship has been shown. 269 Bedford Street, Mobil Oil: Special Permit, signs: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend against the approval of two signs. The Board felt that one sign is sufficient given the location in what is basically a residential area. 35 Bedford Street, Liberties, Health Stop; Special Permit, sign. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend permitting the sign to be moved providing the sign is not internally illuminated, and that it is of the same type as the existing sign. 198. Planning Director. a. Meeting Schedule: Mr. Bowyer proposed the Board consider having one meeting a month for planning activities only or meeting with other boards and committees. There would be two business meetings a month at which the Board would meet with developers. The Board agreed to try it. Meetings will be scheduled for September 23 and 30, and October 7, 21 and 28, 1985. b. Staff Work Schedule: Mr. Bowyer reports that Ms. Rawski is busy with the revision of the Development Regulations, the South Lexington study and the Zoning Map, while he is working on the 774 Comprehensive Permit proposal ' before the Town. Mrs. Smith would like the Housing Needs Advisory Group to join the Board when BIDC presents its Wood Street proposal. c. Lowell Street, Castelli property; subdivision plan: Mr. Castelli was in to talk to Mr. Bowyer about the McNeil subdivision proposal that abuts his property. He would like to use their road in conjunction with the development of his property. Mr. Bowyer suggested that he meet with McNeil Associates to work toward either the development of one subdivision or two subdivisions with an agreed upon road plan. d. Capital budget requests: Mr. Bowyer reported that the Board has been as for any capital budget request they might have. Updating the photogrametrics was suggested. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. 1 Step$en Cripps, Clerk