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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-09-30PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1985 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, was called to order at 7:38 by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Cripps, Flemings, Sorensen, Uhrig, Planning Director Bowyer and Assistant Planner Rawski present. SPECIAL PERMIT, CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING 210. Franklin School, Report to Board of Selectmen: The Board reviewed a draft of a report dated September 24, 1985. Mr. Bowyer and Ms. Rawski reported that several elements of the plan were incomplete. It was agreed that the Chairman would talk to the Town Manager and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen about the number of items missing and suggest that the public hearing scheduled for October 7, 1985 be postponed. To provide a complete review and report on the special permit application, the applicant should furnish: a landscaping plan showing the location, species and size of plant materials, a more complete parking plan correcting the minor viola- tions that exist, a grading plan that deals with the potential problem of surface water draining onto the Town's playground site, and elevations of the buildings. The Board also questioned the Town's plans for the Franklin playground. There are several issues outstanding: where and how will parking be provided for the ' use of the playground? what means of vehicular access, including for maintenance vehicles, will be provided? where and how will playground equipment now used by the neighborhood be replaced? who will construct these improvements? The Board reviewed the draft dated September 24, 1985. The Board skipped over Sections 2 - Major Topographical Changes, and 3 - Surface and Ground Water Drain- age as there is no information now available. The other ten sections of the analysis and six recommendations appear satisfactory. ARTICLES FOR 1986 TOWN MEETING 211. Choate-Symmes, Waltham Street, preliminary reading: The Board discussed the Choate-Symmes development presented at the September 23, 1985 meeting. It was agreed that the type of housing proposed is certainly needed in Lexington. There was some concern about whether a sufficient amount of affordable housing, for senior citizens, would be provided. Various members questioned what population was to be served and whether the development would be available to an upper income luxury market. The Board would like to review a market analysis and a financial analysis of the development. Provision of a second means of access is a significant issue particularly when there are more than 250 housing units and the estimated average age of the occu- pants is 78 years. The Board thought the development team had made a good start with an extensive site analysis. One of the issues that must be addressed is the tax exempt status of the development; some payment in lieu of taxes will need to be made to the Town. 1 Minutes, September 30, 1985 Page 2 The staff will prepare a letter to Choate-Symmes outlining the Board's prelimin- ary thinking on the development. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 212. 188 Lowell Street, McNeil, preliminary plan: The Board discussed the opinion of Town Counsel dated September 23, 1985, that indicated the Planning Board has no obligation to require the use of the easement from Page Road to the property, which was granted to the Town. For that easement to be used by McNeil, a vote of Town Meeting transferring the property rights granted to the Town, is needed. The Board thought there was little in the current plan that would warrant a favorable recommendation to the Town Meeting for it to transfer the Town's prop- erty rights in the easement to McNeil. The current plan does not respect the natural features of the land and simply divides the property into house lots. The Board might consider supporting use of the easement under other circum- stances, such as better land planning, more design sensitivity or a cluster development. The Board would prefer a better internal circulation system using the McNeil property in conjunction with the adjoining Castelli property. Mrs. Uhrig thought it was preferable to avoid having yet another street intersect with Lowell Street. COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT 213. Katandin Woods, BIDC, Planning Board position: The Board reviewed a draft of a statement, "Planning Board Thoughts About BIDC Katandin Woods Proposal", which was prepared after the September 23, 1985 discussion. Mr. Cripps, who was not present for the September 23 discussion, said he favored a multi -family development rather than commercial use of the property. Several changes were agreed to. There should be a preamble that indicates the Planning Board's thinking is affected by the State -mandated comprehensive permit process. There should be a statement that the same standards are applied to the site planning and housing issues as were applied to other multi -family develop- ments presented to the 1985 Town Meeting. The reference to the standards for an RD District should be expanded to list the principal standards. Language should be included about the lack of effective usable open space and recreation space for children. It was agreed to change the sequence of statements in the housing issues section. It was agreed that after the Board reviews a revised draft, it will be distribut- ed to the Board of Selectmen and the Housing Needs Advisory Committee for comment. Mrs. Smith requested that an opinion be obtained from Town Counsel as to whether BIDC is eligible to participate in the Teller program or whether that is limited only to local housing authorities. Minutes, September 30, 1985 Page 3 ************************* COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, POLICIES ******************** 214. Various Housing Issues: Mr. Bowyer distributed a memorandum entitled "Techniques for Producing Affordable Housing" which is background for the October 21, 1985 meeting with the Housing Needs Advisory Committee on the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The memo also outlines additional tasks and types of developments that could involve the Lexington Housing Assistance Board. Mrs. Flemings suggested that perhaps the Planning Board should have a person available half-time to concentrate exclusively on new housing developments. She thought that should be in addition to any additional staff Lexhab might have. REPORTS 215. Planning Board, Subcommittees a. Board of Appeals: Mr. Cripps reported on the September 25, 1985 hearings. The variance for a canopy at the Bedford Street Mobil station was denied; the special permit for alteration of the sign was approved. A modification of the special permit for Kiln Brook V, which differs from that recommended by the Planning Board, was approved 4-1. A special permit to relocate a sign for Health Stop on Bedford Street was approved, but no lighting was authorized. 216. Planning Director ' a. James Street subdivision: Ms. Rawski reviewed the plan for the preliminary subdivision and noted the problems of achieving a proper alignment of a roadway with Wright Street and James Street. b. Buchman Drive: Ms. Rawski showed a revised sketch submitted by Richard Galehouse which sought to satisfy the frontage requirement with a rectangular arrangement of the right-of-way line. As the By -Law refers specifically to a circle, a circular turnaround will need to be provided. A hammerhead alignment within the right-of-way is acceptable. The Board did not believe that a two-family dwelling could be permitted in a conventional subdivision. The development of a walking easement from the new subdivision street to the Daisy Wilson conservation land needs to be shown. c. Ms. Rawski's sketches: Mr. Bowyer reported that Ms. Rawski was doing some design sketches to see if a better road alignment and plotting plan could be developed for the Ridge Estates III subdivision. She was also working on the Willow Ridge subdivision looking at a realignment of the road, a cluster development and a footpath connection to Bowman School. d. Streets on Zoning Map: Mr. Bowyer reported that former Planning Board member Frank Sandy had reviewed the list of streets and thought it was in good shape. He suggested some minor changes. Mrs. Flemings inquired about construction of a new road being proposed off Wingate Road. Mr. Bowyer said that nothing had been submitted to the Town. 1 1 Minutes, September 30, 1985 The meeting was adjourned at 10:26 p.m. Stephen Cripps, Clerk Page 4