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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-10-28PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MINUTES OF OCTOBER 28, 1985 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, as called to order at 7:34 by the Vice -Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Cripps, Flemings, Sorensen, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. Mrs. Smith, who was meeting with the Board of Selectmen arrived during item 235. 234. Approval of Minutes On the motion of Mr. Cripps, seconded by Mrs. Flemings it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as presented, for the meeting of October 21, 1985 and by 3-0-1 to approve the minutes, as presented, for the meeting of October 7, 1985. Mr. Sorensen abstained as he did not attend the meeting of October 7, 1985. ****************** TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS ******************************** Mrs. Smith chaired the meeting at this point. 235. North Lexington Traffic Improvements: Town Engineer, Francis Fields exp- lained the latest revised traffic plan for Bedford Street, prepared by BSC Engin- eering, reflecting the conclusions of North Lexington Traffic Improvement Committee. The principal new features are: 1) to open the intersection of Eldred Street and Bedford Street, adding signals with a pedestrian phase, and 2) to eliminate an internal access road to the homes directly fronting on Bedford street, so that cars exit directly from driveways onto Bedford Street. A should- er would be provided. Mrs. Smith felt that the residents of Eldred Road had gotten their traffic light and the residents of the homes fronting on Bedford Road had lost their safe access to the highway. She thought the plan had gone backwards in terms of safety. Mr. Sorensen noted that backing out of individual driveways onto the highway was very bad, and recommended a one-way access road in front of the homes connecting to the one-way road to the armory. Mrs. Smith added that there could be a better job of screening if the access road were inside of the screening. Mr. Fields said the plan will be presented to the North Lexington Civic Associa- tion in the first part of November and to the State DPW the latter part of the month. In response to a question from Mrs. Smith, Mr. Fields said the major goals of the commmittee were to: 1) reduce the amount of paving in the area, and 2) provide a light at the intersection of Eldred and Bedford Streets. Committee chairman George Burnell said that the Board had their choice, either the signals and pedestrian way or an access road for the eight homes that front Bedford Street. Mrs. Smith thought the two were not incomputable and that more effort should be made to achieve a plan that meets both goals. Minutes, October 28, 1985 Page 2 **************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS **************** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 236. Hampton and Graystone Subdivisions: Mr. Bowyer reported the stone walls that were being built in the Hampton subdivision were not being built to Town specifications as required by the Board. He also reported that the proposed sidewalk for that subdivision had been paved with the binder course without inspection and without any notification to the engineering department. Mr. Bowyer has recommended to the Inspection Department that they not issue any building permits until the wall construction has been done to Town specifications and core samples are taken in the sidewalk to acertain whether it has been prop- erly constructed. Mrs. Smith noted that the walls abut the sidewalk within the Town's right-of-way and the Board has legitimate reasons to insist the walls be constructed to Town specifications. Mr. Fields said that he had notified the developer by letter of the structural deficiencies of the walls and that the sidewalks had been laid without any of the required inspections by the Town. Mrs. Smith felt inspection procedures was partly a staff problem and suggested they sit down with the developer and perhaps the Town Manager and talk this problem out. She felt that when the Town had standards and procedures establish- ed for the good of the Town that must be followed. The Board supported proper inspection inspection and it was agreed to send a letter to the developer urging more cooperation. Mr. Bowyer reported that a Form A had been filed on Lot 1 in the Graystone subdi- vision. This lot had been recorded as part of the approved subdivision. Al- though it has frontage on an approved street (not part of the subdivision), and theoretically could be considered a lot not requiring subdivision approval, it has been approved as part of the subdivision. The Board thought that if Boyd - Smith's intent was to remove the lot from the subdivision, that would have to be done by amendment to the approved subdivision plan. Mr. Sorensen was opposed to signing the Form A until Town Counsel said the Board had to sign. The staff will explain to the developer that the Form A will not get the developer a building permit for that lot if that was the purpose for the Form A applicatiom. ******************* ARTICLES FOR 1986 TOWN MEETING **************************** 237. Middlesex Mall, off Lowell Street, Northland, Inc., CD Rezoning: Ms. Elizabeth Frank, Property Manager for Northland explained their proposal for the rezoning of 4.59 acres off Lowell Street from residential to CD to construct a one-story commercial building of approximately 20,000 sq. ft. The building would be be leased for retail uses similar to the Middlesex Mall, which Northland purchased in 1980. She said the proposal would bring a good neighborhood mall to that area and increase tax revenue to the Town. She explained the nature and location of the land relates it more to the adjoin- ing mall, than to the residential area across Lowell Street. She added that a traffic study had been done two years ago. Parking is in excess of the require- ments of the Zoning By -Law. Minutes, October 28, 1985 Page 3 Mrs. Smith asked how much slope they were proposing to take down. Their answer was, in places, up to 20 feet. Mr. Sorensen wanted to see more screening at the edges of the property. Mrs. Uhrig wanted to see more landscaping at the Middle- sex Mall development. Ms. Frank noted that the topography and vegetation on the new site will provide good screening from the Lowell Street residential area across the street, and they would agree to add more screening to the southeast edge of the property that adjoins residentially zoned property in Lexington. She added that they have checked with the Lexington police and fire chiefs and there would not be a problem gaining access to the proposed mall via Burlington streets. Mrs. Smith discusssed the political realities of going to Town Meeting for a rezoning. She felt that they probably have hit on the right use for the proper- ty. The items that will be of the most concern at Town Meeting will be the traffic reports, adequate parking and landscaping that provides good screening for the adjoining residential neighborhoods. Mrs. Uhrig felt the new proposal should be better tied to the existing mall. 238. Acceptance of Maple Tree Lane: Mr. Bowyer reported that the Engineering Department has approved Maple Tree Lane for acceptance as a Town Road. On the ' motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously that the Planning Board will recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Maple Tree Lane be accepted by the Town. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************** 239. 188 Lowell St McNeil Associates: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to grant an extension of time until November 30, 1985, for action on the preliminary subdivision plan, as requested in their letter of October 24, 1985. 240. Toga Property off Turning Mill Road: The Board discussed a list of requir- ements for subdivision approval that the applicants have requested be waived. Tenatively they agreed to the following if Lot 3 is established as a viable building lot by the Conservation Commission: 1. sanitary sewers - the construc- tion of a system which is acceptable to the Town Engineer and Department of Public Works; 2. water main and hydrant - the construction of a system which is acceptable to the Town Engineer, Dept. of Public Works and the Fire Chief; 3. turnarounds - provided the design and layout is acceptable to the Town Engineer and the Dept. of Public Works; a revised plan must be submitted detailing this proposal; 4. sidewalks - waive 5. fire alarm system - waive. The Board will not waive road construction standards requested such as road width, berms, paving, and underground utilities, and they will not agree to having the road accepted as a private way. 241. Buckman Drive Subdivision: Ms. Rawski reported on her meeting with Mr. Minutes, October 28, 1985 Page 4 Galehouse, who presented a revised sketch that met the frontage requirements for a conventional subdivision but did not provide as good siting for the houses. Ms. Rawski explained her proposal using a partial circle turnaround that would provide the required frontage without changing house locations. 242. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Mrs. Smith presented an oral review of the following cases before the Board of Appeals to be heard on November 7, 1985. On the motion of Mr. Cripps, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to make no comment on the following four applications: 221 Fair Oaks Drive, John J. Downing, Jr., Stuart Joseph Ryan, Lisa and William Lahey, SP, continued use of residence as a single-family residence. 764 Massachusetts Avenue, Follen Church Society; SP, sell Christmas trees. 959 Waltham Street, Lexington Lodge of Elks; SP, parking of 6 trailers. 113 Hartwell Avenue, Allied Instrumentation Laboratory; extend existing concrete platform truck dock. 123 Maple Street, Clifton C. Larson; Variance, extend an existing carport within 12 1/2 feet of the property line: Mr. Sorensen did not see any justificaton for granting a variance for 2 1/2 feet. He felt the sideyard setback should be observed, and the Board concurred. On the motion of Mr. Cripps, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to recommend against granting a variance. OPINION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 243. Earl Street: Mr. Bowyer reported that two homes, on two 5,000 sq. ft. lots, are proposed for Earl Street which has never come before the Planning Board for a determination of adequate grade and construction. A building permit was improperly issued in June for one house which is nearly complete. An applica- tion for a permit for the second house has just been received. Mr. Bowyer reported that the builder can be required to construct 250 feet of road meeting Town standards for acceptance by the Town. Mr. Fields recommended that he be required to pave the entire distance from his lot line to connect to the existing paved section. ******************** PLANNING BOARD OPERATIONS, BUDGET ************************ 244. Planning Board Priorities for Planning Studies; Selectmen's Goals: Mr. Bowyer requested the Board address work priorities for the department budget which is due in a few weeks. The Board agreed no changes in priorities, from those it approved for the FY 186 budget, should be made; the department should concentrate on completing scheduled work according to the priority ranking. Town Manager Hutchinson presented a bleak financial picture for Lexington, due to changes in federal aid and requirements, at the department heads meeting. There is little prospect for additional Town money for planning projects. Minutes, October 28, 1985 Page 5 The Board discussed a request for proposals for grants for strategic planning received from the State Executive Office of Communities and Development. As the guidelines focus on affordable housing, a proposal for expanding the role of LEXHab, possibly with professional staff assistance, would be a logical next step in Lexington's efforts in affordable housing. The Board reviewed the Selectmen's goals. It was agreed the two Boards should meet soon to discuss housing efforts. ******************************* REPORTS 245. Planning Board, Subcommittees: a. Board of Appeals Hearings October 24, 1985 : Mrs. Flemings reported that the Board of Appeals appeared to have listened to the recommendations of the Planning Board for the most part. They denied the application for a variance to construct an office building at Hartwell Ave. and Maguire Rd. At 27 Muzzey Street they approved the application for a special permit only with strict condi- tions including limiting the intensity of use to what is permitted in the exist- ing special permit, allowing no off-site parking and prohibiting the cutting of the two spruce trees in the front of the building. 246. Planning Director a. BIDC: Mr. Bowyer reported on the latest meeting with Messr's Kasper and Venable. BIDC has a new plan which calls for 126 units, in smaller better sited buildings and more three bedroom units than the previous proposal. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. 4fthefCr�ippst Clerk 11