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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-10-06' PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 1986 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:37 p.m. by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Cripps, with members Klauminzer, Sorensen, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. Mrs. Uhrig arrived at 7:40 during Item 244. 244. Minutes for September 8 and 22, 1986: The Board reviewed the minutes of September 8, 1986, and made corrections. The Board reviewed the minutes of September 22, 1986, and made corrections. On the motion Mr. Cripps, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unani- mously to approve the minutes of September 8 and 22, as corrected. Mr. Cripps abstained from the vote approving the September 22 minutes since he did not attend the meeting. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ********** 225. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS: Mr. Cripps gave an oral review of the following cases to be heard on October 9, 1986. 14 Tower Road, Kenneth and Louise Kreutziger, variance, setback requirements ' to construct additions on the front and side of an existing dwelling: The Board agreed they do not object to the proposed entry/steps which will extend approximately two feet further into the front yard setback than the existing stairs, since the topography of the lot makes access to the front door difficult. They also agreed to not object to the two-story addition since it will not encroach more into the front yard setback than the exist- ing dwelling, and only a small corner will encroach into the side yard setback. The Board agreed to recommend the part of the variance permitting the addi- tion of the deck and the greenhouse be denied because the additions would encroach significantly into the side yard setback, and no hardship has been demonstrated. The Board agreed to make no comment on the following cases: 11 Pearl Street, Min -Chang Lee, SP, shed dormer 9 Kendall Road, Robert Munck, variance, garage 45 Solomon Pierce Road, Trudy Sack & Robert Bund, SP, inground swimming pool Mr. Cripps also gave an oral review of the following cases to be heard on October 23, 1986: 90 Lowell Street, Melvin Savage, SP, for a dentist office in the basement of his home: the Board believed this is not an appropriate use in a residential ' neighborhood because there is a potential for an increase in traffic and employees if the practice grows. They agreed to recommend the application for a special permit be denied. IF Minutes of October 6, 1986 Page 2 The Board agreed to make no comment on the following: One Ames Avenue, variance, addition of enclosed porch 6 School Street, John Hubbard, variance, addition of dormer and deck 15 Westwood Road, Jonathan and Virginia Longley, variance, addition 26 Hathaway Road, Joseph Vaccaro SP, inground swimming pool 95 Hayden Avenue, Beal and Company, Inc., SP, sign 10 Maguire Road, Itek Corp., SP, to reserve an area for future parking Wood Street & Hartwell Ave., Katandin Woods Ltd. Partnership, six month extension of the comprehensive permit to construct and operate a residential development. 245. Lowell Court subdivision, off Lowell Street, Robert E. Phelan: Mrs. Uhrig opened the hearing at 8:03 p.m. William Bergeron, from Hayes Engineering, reviewed the definitive plan. He described the slopes, existing trees and the layout of the approximately 177 foot long road which ends in a standard cul-de-sac with a landscaped island. They have discussed the drainage plan with the Engineering Department. They propose to connect the street drainage system to an existing 12" drainage pipe, which is part of the Town's drainage system. Both the Conservation Commission and the Engineering Department recommend waiving the 24 foot pavement width required by the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. They requested the Board grant waivers for the following: 1) that the fire alarm circuit not be constructed, 2) that granite curb inlets not be re- quired at all catch basins, 3) that the pavement width be 22 feet, and 4) that sidewalks not be required. Mrs. Uhrig questioned the elaborate driveways, noting it was paving that was not necessary. In answer to her question, Mr. Bergeron said the purchasers of the houses requested turnarounds on their lots. Mrs. Klauminzer asked if the slope draining towards the Miller property would not cause problems for the Millers. Mr. Bergeron responded that the cul-de-sac has been sloped in the opposite direction with a catchbasin located at the low point, which should divert existing run-off into the roadway drainage system, and from there into the existing Town drainage system. Ms. Rawski commented it is basically a straightforward two -lot subdivision, complying with almost all regulations. She was concerned with the steep slope which would occur if the sidewalk were required as shown on the plan. Mrs. Wood suggested the sidewalk could meander rather than follow the road. In response to questions from Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Bergeron said a ground survey had been done. Mr. Phelan said the potential owners were agreeable to the road being either public or private. Mr. Bowyer asked if the developer would review the process that led to the ' final orientation of the homes. Mr. Bergeron said they tried to site the homes so the narrow ends faced the closest lot lines. Jeffrey Miller, 556 Lowell St., supported the developer's request for a waiver for the construction of the sidewalk as shown on the definitive plan. Minutes of October 6, 1986 Page 3 Louis Coppi, 11 Burroughs Road, stated he believed Lot B was unbuildable, and felt there was "overkill" in the driveway and cul-de-sac system, given it was only a two -lot subdivision. He added that the house on Lot B was sited too close to the lot line between his property and the development. Mr. Phelan disagreed, noting the location was within the zoning setback, but offered to place more planting between the two properties. Jacqueline Kates, 15 Burroughs Road, asked if the drainage was located on her property and was told it was on the Coppi property. In response to a question from Steven McCarthy, 564 Lowell Street, Mr. Phelan said two trees had to be removed for the construction of the first home. Mrs. Uhrig declared the hearing closed at 9:10 p.m. Later in the meeting the Board discussed the waivers requested by the devel- oper, and reviewed the draft Certificate of Action. Mr. Sorensen objected to the Board accepting frontage along a private road, saying it created private enclaves throughout the Town. Mr. Bowyer noted the Subdivision Control Law does not require frontage to be located on public streets, and that there are many examples in Town where approved subdivision roads have not been presented to the Town for acceptance. He added the Board has the power within the right-of-way to waive construction - standards. The Board agreed to require buffer strips between the Coppi, Miller and Kates properties and the development. They also agreed to grant waivers not requiring installation of the fire alarm circuit, construction of the side- walk and the granite curb inlets. On the motion of Mrs. Wood seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted 4-1-0, (Mrs. Uhrig voted in the negative) unanimously to permit a 22 foot wide road off Lowell Street narrowing to 20 feet, one-way, around the cul-de-sac. Mr. Sorensen noted the house presently under construction cannot be released for sale until the subdivision road is constructed since the lot receives its frontage on the subdivision road. The Board also agreed on the name "Courtney Terrace" for the subdivision road. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unani- mously to approve the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Lowell Court",— to approve the Certificate of Action, as amended, for the subdivision,and to authorize the Planning Director to sign the Certificate of Action on behalf of the Board. He was concerned about potential his property and the development, damage to the 40 year hemlock hedge between and drainage problems if the grading were too steep in order to accomodate the sidewalk. He supported any move to lessen the amount of paving shown for the driveways and the road. Louis Coppi, 11 Burroughs Road, stated he believed Lot B was unbuildable, and felt there was "overkill" in the driveway and cul-de-sac system, given it was only a two -lot subdivision. He added that the house on Lot B was sited too close to the lot line between his property and the development. Mr. Phelan disagreed, noting the location was within the zoning setback, but offered to place more planting between the two properties. Jacqueline Kates, 15 Burroughs Road, asked if the drainage was located on her property and was told it was on the Coppi property. In response to a question from Steven McCarthy, 564 Lowell Street, Mr. Phelan said two trees had to be removed for the construction of the first home. Mrs. Uhrig declared the hearing closed at 9:10 p.m. Later in the meeting the Board discussed the waivers requested by the devel- oper, and reviewed the draft Certificate of Action. Mr. Sorensen objected to the Board accepting frontage along a private road, saying it created private enclaves throughout the Town. Mr. Bowyer noted the Subdivision Control Law does not require frontage to be located on public streets, and that there are many examples in Town where approved subdivision roads have not been presented to the Town for acceptance. He added the Board has the power within the right-of-way to waive construction - standards. The Board agreed to require buffer strips between the Coppi, Miller and Kates properties and the development. They also agreed to grant waivers not requiring installation of the fire alarm circuit, construction of the side- walk and the granite curb inlets. On the motion of Mrs. Wood seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted 4-1-0, (Mrs. Uhrig voted in the negative) unanimously to permit a 22 foot wide road off Lowell Street narrowing to 20 feet, one-way, around the cul-de-sac. Mr. Sorensen noted the house presently under construction cannot be released for sale until the subdivision road is constructed since the lot receives its frontage on the subdivision road. The Board also agreed on the name "Courtney Terrace" for the subdivision road. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unani- mously to approve the definitive subdivision plan entitled "Lowell Court",— to approve the Certificate of Action, as amended, for the subdivision,and to authorize the Planning Director to sign the Certificate of Action on behalf of the Board. Minutes of October 6, 1986 Page 4 ' 246. Sunset Ridge, off Buckman Drive: Ms. Rawski reviewed the revised landscaping plans entitled "Sunset Ridge Lexington, Mass., Revision A and Revision B," dated October 2, 1986. She added she has not received a report from the Engineering Dept. on the revised plans. Andrew Goldstein, repre- senting the developers, noted they hoped to get approval of the plans as soon as possible in order to begin planting this fall. Mr. Sorensen expressed concern over the significant surveying error, noting the problems that now had to be corrected in the property of the abuttors, as a result of this error. He also questioned the design of the tree wells and asked if the slopes shown were within allowable standards. Mrs. Uhrig spoke of the Planning Board's disappointment with the construc- tion of the development in general, and referred to the Conservation Admin- istrator's letter of September 29, 1986 which expressed "dismay" at finding numerous violations of the Order of Conditions. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously to approve the revised plans entitled "Sunset Ridge Lexington, Mass., Revision A and Revision B," dated October 2, 1986, provided the Engineering Department also approves the plans. 247. Lincoln Park, off Lincoln Street: (Note: Mrs. Klauminzer did not take part in discussion or action on this item, since she is an abuttor.) Mr. Bowyer reported revised drainage plans have been submitted by the devel- oper. The Engineering Department has determined that the differences be- tween the revised plan and the original plan were neglible and the original plan was somewhat better than the revised. Since it had been stated at the time of adjournment of the hearing in May that the Board would be consider- ing only drainage issues at the continued hearing, the original drainage is what is now before the Board. The Board agreed to hold the reconvened public hearing on November 3, 1986 for discussion of drainage issues only. ****************************** REPORTS *********************************** 248. Planning Board, Subcommittees a. Housing Advisory Committee, revised charge: The Board reviewed the draft "Housing Advisory Committee - Charge to Committee" prepared by Elizabeth Flemings, of the Housing Advisory Committee and Eleanor Klauminzer. Mrs. Klauminzer noted the changes: 1) name of committee, 2) purposes and 3) structure of committee (nine members appointed by the Planning Board for a term of two years). Mrs. Flemings felt it was important to get direction from the Board on ' what tasks might be undertaken by the Committee in the near future. She added the Committee was thinking of putting a notice in the paper inviting residents interested in housing matters to contact them, and of asking the Selectmen for a list of residents who have expressed interest in housing issues. Minutes of October 6, 1986 Page 5 Mr. Bowyer discussed the Housing Grant and the work being done on it by Roberta Leviton, the consultant hired by the Planning Board. He exp- lained the two parts of the grant: 1) evaluation of completed afford- able housing developments, with an outline of successes and failures and 2) an examination of other ways of producing affordable housing. In response to a request from Mrs. Flemings, Mr. Bowyer said he would introduce Mrs. Leviton to the Committee for a discussion of her work on the grant. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously to approve the Charge for the Housing Advisory Committee as presented. Mrs. Uhrig thanked Mrs. Flemings for her work on the Charge. b. Revival of Design Advisory Committee; Selectman Eddison has sug- gested the formation of a design review committee to oversee public buildings and zoning proposals that are presented for approval at Town Meeting. Mr. Sorensen commented that people's sense of esthetics vary so broadly it would be difficult to form a committee to do this. Mr. Bowyer observed that design review sounds like a good idea, but in practice any design regulation of private construction is very difficult to administer, even when the statutory authority for design review exists. The Board agreed design review of proposals, such as rezonings, before the Planning Board was not needed and that for review of public projects, any such committee should be under the direction of ' the Board of Selectmen. The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 p.m. Martha Wood, Clerk