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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-06-23PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 1986 The Meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, and the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:34, in Room G-15 by the Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Cripps, Klauminzer, Sorensen, Wood, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************ PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 152. Form A/86-11, 113 - 115 Concord Avenue: The Board reviewed a plan showing the division of a parcel into three lots, all having frontage and area on a public way conforming to the zoning requirements of the district where the land is located. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled "Compiled Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. (Middlesex County), dated May 19, 19862 by BSC - Bedford, certified by Roger M. Corbin, Professional Land Surveyor, with application form A/86- 11, applicant Roger M. Corbin for George Kazazian, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. 153. Form A/86-12, Emerald Street: The Board reviewed a plan showing an adjustment of property lines between two lots whose frontage remains unchang- ed, and the area being removed from Parcel B and added to Parcel A allows Parcel B to continue to conform to the zoning requirements of the district the lots are located in. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.," dated May 29, 1986, by BSC - Bedford. certified by Roger M. Corbin, Professional Land Surveyor, with application form A/86-12, applicant Robert E. Phelan, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 154. Dunham Road off Utica Street, Joel Greenstein: The Board reviewed a sketch plan showing a cluster development on an extension of Dunham Road that would go through to Woburn Road. The proposal was presented for Mr. Green- stein, the developer, by Guy Messier, of Miquelle Associates, architects, and Stephen T. Russian, attorney. In response to a question from Mr. Messier, the Board said a 50 foot right-of- way with 24 feet of pavement would be required for the road, meaning the developer would have to acquire more land at the narrowest point of the site to construct the road. Mr. Russian said they had entered into negotiations with the property owner. Mr. Messier said they have prepared a proof plan, and added that frontage for three new lots would probably be created on Dunham Road when the road is extended. Minutes of June 23, 1986 Page 2 In response to a question from Mrs. Uhrig, Mr. Messier said they had been in contact with the Conservation Commission and were working with them. Mrs. Wood ask about their plans for the back land. Mr. Russian said they were planning to offer it to the Town as conservation land. Mr. Sorensen suggested that the road be more centered between abutting lots at its intersection with Woburn Street. Mrs. Wood suggested more screening be provided. The Board did not see any major problems. Ms. Rawski reported that Mr. Greenstein planned to begin preparation on the material required for the filing of a definitive subdivision plan. She recommended he complete more of the site analysis data required before beginning these preparations. 155. Pheasant Brook, Kahn -Quinn Group, Ltd: The Board agreed to accept the withdrawal of the developer's application for subdivision approval for Pheas- ant Brook, Section II, as per their letter dated June 20, 1986. 156. Lincoln Hill, release of surety: Ms. Rawski said the developer reports he has set the monuments as required by the Engineering department last fall. The Engineering Department has also requested as -built drawings, which have not been received to date. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously: to release the surety being held by the Town contingent upon the receipt of as -built drawings done to the satisfaction of the Engineering Dept. At 8:27 p.m., Mrs. Uhrig recessed the meeting to the Selectmen's Meeting Room ' for the Public Hearing on the Mason's Hollow Subdivision. 157. PUBLIC HEARING: Mason's Hollow Subdivision: Mrs. Uhrig declared the hearing open at 8:37 p.m. She introduced Frank Carney, representing Moore Homes, Inc., who introduced Frank DiPietro, engineer from BSC - Bedford, and Stephen Yuen, staff architect for Moore Homes, Inc. Mr. DiPietro reviewed the site plan, consisting of 3.42 acres. They propose to tie into the Town's water and sewer systems, and to connect the road's storm drainage system to an existing 20 inch storm drain at the rear of the property. They propose a detention area on the right side of the development to provide water storage for 100 year storm run-off requirements, which will necessitate the removal of a number of mature trees in the area. Mr. Yuen discussed site features that affect the design of the five units proposed, especially two large maples which would provide screening for the units from the street. He added the units were designed to blend with the architecture of the neighborhood. In response to questions from Mrs. Uhrig, Mr. DiPietro listed the waivers from the Board's "Rules and Regulations" requested by the developer: 1. that installation of the fire alarm not be required, 2. that underground electric and telephone systems not be shown, 3. that an alternate and nonconforming turnaround be permitted, 4. that construction of sidewalks be waived, 1 1 Minutes of June 23, 1986 5. that the roadway pavement width be reduced the driveway pavement width be reduced from 6. that a traffic study not be required. He added that the units will have three bedrooms and Page 3 from 24' to 20', and that 18' to 16', and two -car garages. The Board questioned the number and size of trees to be removed to accomodate the compensatory flood storage area, and for the construction of the interior drive. Mr. DiPietro responded that they had proposed a leaching field system for the flood storage area, but this was not acceptable to the Engineering Department. He added the road construction would cause little or no damage to mature trees in the front area of the site, and that they would save as many trees as possible. He outlined their plans for more screening at the end of the turn -around which is five feet from the property line. Mr. Cripps suggested consideration of some paving material other than black asphalt. Mr. Sorensen asked when the plans for filling and water storage for drainage would be available to the Board. Ms. Rawski reported the staff had them and was awaiting reports from the Engineering Department and the Conservation Commission on the revisions. She reported the fire department had no objection to the proposed width of the road and the location of the fire hydrant, and briefly reviewed the unresolved issues still to be settled: 1. differing opinions between the Engineering Department and the Conservation Commission as to the best method to handle the required compensatory water storage area; 2. Planning Board action on the waivers requested by the applicant; 3. balancing the required conpensatory water storage with excessive tree removal; 4. concerns with visual impact of units 4 and 5 as seen from the road; 5. more screening required to protect views from the Mason house; and 6. necessity for permission from the MDC to tie into their system. Mr. DiPietro said this awaited an approved plan which would be filed by the Town Engineer. Jacqueline Davison, 86 Spring Street, and William Hall, 1357 Massachusetts Avenue, had questions about the height and mass of the units. Mary Petschek, 1314 Massachusetts Avenue, was concerned that units 4 and 5 were too visible from the street and the Mason house. Mrs. Davison also was concerned that the growth of multi -unit developments along Massachusetts Avenue was changing the historic character of the street. David Williams, 1433 Massachusetts Avenue, asked to be shown where the requir- ed public land to be dedicated to the Town as open space is located, and questioned whether the land designated in the rear and along the road met the 25% open space requirement as open space. He asked for a review of the Plan- ning Board procedure for a cluster development, since this is the first appli- cation to come under the provisions of Article 11, passed at the 1985 Annual Town Meeting. He also objected to the large-scale cutting of trees required for the flood storage area next to the Barrett property, and called for more buffer to be required between the Mason and Barrett properties. He suggested an access be provided to the bike path by the developer. Minutes of June 23, 1986 Page 4 Robert Blanchard, 1310 Massachusetts Avenue, thought any trees removed between the two properties should be replaced by the developer. Margery Blanchard, 1310 Massachusetts Avenue, urged the Board to consider approving a narrower pavement width. Martin Sussman, 1361 Massachusetts Avenue, had concerns about possible dif- ficulties entering and exiting from Massachusetts Avenue, and hoped considera- tion would be given to the line -of -sight toward Arlington. Mrs. Uhrig read letters received by the Board concerning the development, and declared the hearing closed. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimous- ly to grant an extension of time for action until August 13, 1986, if the verbal request for an extension is followed by a letter received by the Board before June 26, 1986 requesting the extension. ********************************* REPORTS 158. Planning Director a. 1775 Mass. Ave., Mammola's Hair Salon: Ms. Rawski briefly reported that Mr. Bowyer had met with the Building Commissioner and the ' applicant to work out how to calculate the number of employees and customers that can be handled by the proposed seven work stations, so that the number of parking spaces needed to conform to the By -Law can be figured. The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 p.m. 0 C?wC. & Martha C. Wood, Clerk