HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-16PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 1986
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by the Chairman Mrs. Uhrig, with
members Cripps, Klauminzer, Sorensen, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer and Assis-
tant Planner Rawski present.
***************************** ZONING ADMINISTRATION ***************************
109. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Mrs. Uhrig presented an oral review of cases to be heard by the Board of Appeals
on April 24, 1986. On the motion of Mr. Cripps, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it
was voted unanimously to make no recommendation on the following three cases:
42 Buckman Drive, Irving Berstein; SP, swimming pool.
22 Spring Street, Eric Cohen; variance, side yard setback.
2 Forest Street, Fay Bussgang; variance, front yard setback.
81 Oak Street, James Anderson; variance, side yard setback: this is a sloppy and
confusing application and it is unclear whether the proposed 16 foot garage can
be accomodated on the lot or would conceivably cross over the lot line on to
neighbor's land. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was
voted unanimously to report to the Board of Appeals there is not enough clear
' information to make a recommendation and the variance should be denied on the
basis of the information submitted. In any event, the Board is not in favor of
granting a variance which would allow only a four foot side yard setback.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1986 TOWN MEETING ************************
110. Article 47, RD, Waltham Street, Choate-Symmes: Mr. Bowyer reported, on the
recommendation of two members who had suggested them, two changes were made. One
was a new thirteenth recommendation, that the Planning Board's favorable recom-
mendation is based on the merits of this proposal only and should not be inter-
preted as being in favor of rezoning additional land in this area. The second
change was a statement that first priority is for the construction of affordable
units on the site but a payment in lieu of construction is an acceptable alterna-
tive in those cases where the affordable units can not be provided on the site.
On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted 4-1, with
Mr. Sorensen opposed, to recommend to the Town Meeting that the RD rezoning be
approved. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted
3-0 to approve the report on the proposed amendment. Mr. Sorensen abstained and
Mrs. Wood abstained because she had been out of town and had not had the oppor-
tunity to read the final report.
111. Article 45, Building Height: The Board discussed proposed section 7.5.5
which, as written, would exempt a parking level under a building from being
counted as a story. Mr. Sorensen observed that the comments he had heard and his
own observations made him question whether the provision was desirable because it
might make for taller buildings. Examples of buildings in town where the commer-
cial floor space is above the parking, were discussed.
Minutes of April 16, 1986
Page 2
Robert Domnitz, Town Meeting Member, in Precinct 6, was present and distributed a
copy of a proposed amendment which he intended to offer from the floor of the
Town Meeting, that would count a parking level under floor space as a story. His
objective was to discourage construction of taller buildings. The Board discuss-
ed whether to defer the amendment in order to study it further. Coming up with
an alternate could be even more confusing. It was finally agreed, after a poll
of the Board, that Mr. Domnitz's proposed amendment was acceptable.
************************************* REPORTS
112. Planning Director
a. 10 Muzzey Street: Mr. Bowyer reported there was a meeting in the Town
Managers office this morning at which a compromise agreement was reached.
The Town will permit the completion of the shell of the addition which will
be separated from the remainder of the second floor by an impeneratable
wall, with no doors. No interior finish work, electrical, plumbing or
heating will be allowed. Technically there would be no zoning violation
because the space is not habitable and there is no use which would generate
parking demand. The structure can not be left open and incomplete for long;
it either has to be carried forward and made weather -tight or ripped out.
Permitting completion of the shell of the addition may reduce somewhat the
Town's potential liability for stopping work after a permit had been issued.
Members expressed concern that the space should not become occupied and
finished later on without dealing with the zoning issues. Mr. Sorensen
suggested that the agreement between the Town and the applicant include a
condition that a variance could not be requested from the off-street
requirements.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
11
Martha Wood
Clerk