HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-12-09U
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 1985
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, was called to
order by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Sorensen, Uhrig, Plan-
ning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. Mr.
Cripps was absent.
273. Approval of minutes: On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs.
Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 25 and Decem-
ber 2, 1985.
***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ***************
PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
274. Form A/85-19, South Rindge Ave., Moore Homes Inc.: Mr. Bowyer explained the
plan which showed a readjustment of a side property line; with no change in
frontage. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted
unanimously:
to endorse the plan entitled Plan
County), dated December 2, 1985,by
Corbin, Registered Land Surveyor,
Moore, Jr., as it does not require
Law.
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
of Land in Lexington, Mass. (Middlesex
BSC - Bedford, certified by Roger M.
with application form A/85-19 by Mark
approval under the Subdivision Control
275. Pheasant Brook, Request for Waiver from Construction Standards for Walls:
The staff is awaiting the report from the Engineering Department to complete
their report. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was
voted unanimously to defer action on the waiver until the information is before
the Board.
276. Lincoln Hills, Jean Road turnaround: It is the opinion of Frank Field, Town
Engineer, that if the Town wishes to construct and accept Jean Road, it will
probably do so by connecting across Morgan Road to Nickerson Road, eliminating
the need for the turnaround. Mr. Sorensen said that the land in the turnaround
should be deeded to the Town since the frontage of the abutting lots is obtained
from around the turnaround. The Board concurred this would have to be done.
APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
277. Beal Companies, Ledgemont I, 95 Hayden Avenue; SPS: Mr. Sorensen gave an
oral report on the application before the Board of Appeals. The Board also
discussed the draft report. In response to a question from Mrs. Flemings, Mr.
Bowyer said the parking requirements of the Zoning By -Law have been met. Mrs.
Flemings suggested a mini -bus service between the Hayden Ave. area and downtown
Lexington to cut down on excessive traffic. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen,
seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously:
to approve the recommendation, as written, and to recommend in favor of the
special permit with site plan review.
Minutes of December 9, 1985
Page 2
OPINION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
278. 19 Earl Street, William Herring; CUS 85/1: Mr. Bowyer explained that Earl
Street would be built to Town standards. Town Counsel has researched the deeds
and determined there is legal frontage for two building lots; one with a home
already constructed, awaiting the issuance of a a Certificate of Occupancy, and
the other awaiting the issuance of a building permit by the Lexington Building/
Inspection Department.
The Engineering Department has estimated that it would cost approximately
$10,600 to build the portion of Earl Street under discussion, (approximately 203
feet), to Town specifications.
The Board thought the plan prepared by BSC -Bedford was acceptable. It then
discussed with Mr. Herring the procedure for providing surety to the Town to
guarantee construction of the road to Town standards, and agreed that Mr. Her-
ring would provide a bank passbook in the name of the Town for $11,000. They
asked him to return next Monday night with the necessary documents, at which time
they would make the determination of adequate grade and construction.
************************* COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, POLICIES *********************
279. Approval of Housing Element, Comprehensive Plan: The Board reviewed the
draft dated December 9, 1985. It was the consensus of the Board that the process
' used in preparation of the draft had worked well and the resulting draft was a
good one. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Flemings, it was voted
unanimously to approve the draft dated December 9, 1985, as a draft representing
completion of a first stage, with the next stage to be obtaining the comments and
suggestions of Town boards and committees, Town Meeting Members and residents of
the Town.
***************************** GRANT APPLICATION ********************************
280. Application to EOCD for a Planning Grant for Affordable Housing: Mr. Bowyer
reported on a meeting with Mrs. Smith and the Town Manager, Mr. Hutchinson, to
review the draft application. The filing procedure is that the Planning Board
endorses the application, and the Town Manager concurs; the application has to be
filed by Friday, December 13, 1985.
Mrs. Smith saw the application as an evaluation of what Lexington has done to -
date, and as a listing of new techniques proposed for use in the future.
The Board discussed the budget of $30,000 available under the grant, and the
question of whether the individual hired to do the work would be staff or a
consultant. They felt it was essential that whoever was hired carry out the
tasks representated in the application.
On the motion of Mrs. Flemings, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimous-
ly to endorse the application for a planning grant under EOCD's Strategic Plan-
ning Program as contained in the application prepared by the Planning Board
staff.
1
Minutes of December 9, 1985
Page 3
***************** ARTICLES FOR 1986 TOWN MEETING ******************************
281. Planning Board Articles for 1986 Town Meeting: The Board discussed Mr.
Bowyer's memo dated December 6, 1985. They agreed to proceed with the prepara-
tion of the following articles:
1. Conversion of existing dwellings to congregate housing with an approach
provided by the Congregate Housing Committee.
2. Technical corrections of the Zoning By -Law.
3. Adjustments to Article 11, if they are presented with good examples.
4. They will cooperate with the Building Department in the preparation of
articles that concern the Building Department.
5. Revisions to Section 6.3 dealing with the expansion of a non -conforming
structure.
6. Encourage the Historical Commision to present a demolition delay by-law.
Mrs. Smith also recommended that the language in 8.3.4 which states that "the
Board of Appeals shall be the permit granting authority for RD rezonings" be
added to Section 9.4.2 for clarification.
******************************* REPORTS **************************************
282. Planning Director
a. 188 Lowell Street, McNeil Associates:
plan" showing a conventional subdivision
properties. Ms. Rawski said Mr. Castelli
ment on his land. Mrs. Flemings felt it
ate subdivisions. Mrs. Smith commented t
curb -cut less on Lowell Street, but she
effort at the end of the cul-de-sac.
The meeting adjourned at 9:29 P.M.
Mr. Bowyer presented a "layout
combining the McNeil / Castelli
was opposed to a cluster develop -
was an improvement over two separ-
hat the plan got plusses for one
would like to see more planning
max'✓ ���
dith Uhrig, Vice-Chairma" n