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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-12-151 1 1 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF DECEMBER 15, 1986 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Build- ing, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Cripps, Klauminzer, Sorensen, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. 297. Minutes of December 1, 1986: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of December 1, 1986. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted 4-0-1 to approve the minutes as corrected. Mrs. Klau- minzer abstained since she had not attended the meeting. **************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ********** PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW 298. Form A/86-28, Solomon Pierce Road: The Board reviewed a plan showing a lot line change in lot 45 involving no change in frontage. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted unanimously: 1) to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass., dated November 10, 1986, by T & M Engineering Associate, Inc., certified by Erland S. Townsend, Jr., Professional Land Surveyor, with application form A/86- 28, applicant Bernard L. Huang, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law; and 2) to add a note on the plan stating the the Planning Board endorsement is not a determination as to conformance with zoning regulations. 299. Form A/86-29, Waltham Street: The Board reviewed a plan showing two ex- changes of land: 1) between Glenmeadow Investors Trust and Choate-Symmes Life Care, Inc., and 2) between Gardencrest Inc. and Choate Symmes Life Care, Inc., resulting in no change in any frontages. In response to a question from Mrs. Klauminzer, Thomas Huebner, representing Choate-Symmes Life Care, Inc., explained these exchanges were necessary to ac- quire a second means of access for the proposal after Haynes Management withdrew their permission to grant Choate-Symmes a second access through their property. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington & Waltham, Massachu- setts (Middlesex County)", dated November 18, 1986, by BSC -Bedford, cert- ified by Donald J. Forand, Professional Land Surveyor, with application form A/86-29, applicant Choate-Symmes Life Care, Inc., as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. 300. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS: Mrs. Wood gave an oral review of cases to be heard January 8, 1987: 9 Marshall Road, Stephen Brookner, variance, side yard setback to build a two -car garage: The applicant requested a variance for a 9' side yard setback because of existing topographical features, to preserve six large trees and for security reasons. The Board felt the garage could be con- structed elsewhere, not requiring a variance and still preserve the trees. Minutes of December 15, 1986 Page 2 On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unani- mously to recommend the variance be denied, since no hardship has been shown. The Board agreed to make no comment on the following applications also being heard on January 8, 1987: 87 Kendall Road, Jean L. Parr, SP, home office. 10 Barnes Place, Alice Sweeney 6 Richard Langley, variance, to maintain existing garage. 2295 Mass. Avenue, John McSweeney, variance, reduce side yard setback from 10 feet to 7.9 feet. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 301. Sunset Ridge subdivision off Buckman Drive: Mr. Bowyer reported the pre- conditions prior to release of lots 182 and 183 had been met and there was suf- ficient surety left to cover unfinished work. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted unanimously to release lots 182 and 183 of the Sunset Ridge subdivision. 302. Pheasant Brook Estates: Ms. Rawski reported that approximately $35,000 is needed to complete work remaining. However, $75,000 (15% of the initial amount of surety set) is the minimum amount to which the surety can be reduced. On the ' motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to reduce the amount of surety held to $75,000. 303. Grassland Street Cluster subdivision: Gary Larson, of Larson Associates, reported that the final Order of Conditions, issued by the Conservation Commis- sion required adjustments in the buffer area between the wetlands and the build- ing site areas that do not significantly affect the definitive plan. In response to a question from Mrs. Klauminzer, Mr. Larson reported the swale on the Bray property had not been discussed at the Conservation meeting. By an informal poll of the Board, four in favor, one (Mr. Sorensen) opposed, it was agreed the following condition would be added to the "List of Conditions To Be Met Prior To Endorsement" in the draft certificate of action dated 12/12/86: Elimination of the grass strip between the sidewalk and the curbing for a distance of approximately 225 feet, from the intersection of the new roadway with Grassland Street to the end of the conservation restriction on lot #6 and to allow a 2:1 slope to begin at the back of the sidewalk. The Board unanimously agreed to add the following to the "List of Conditions To Be Met Prior To Endorsement" in the draft certificate of action dated 12/12/86: Permission to deviate, on the westerly side of the proposed roadway, from the standard cross-section which would allow a slope of 3/8"/foot for a distance of 5 feet from the curb, and to allow a 2:1 slope to begin at this point rather than 12'-6" from the curb as required by the Standard Specifications. Minutes of December 15, 1986 Page 3 The Board unanimously agreed that a restriction, running with the land, be placed in the deed of each property prohibiting the owner from increasing the amount of impervious surfaces on the lot, and that this condition be added to the "Specific Conditions" in the draft certificate of action dated 12/12/86. On the motion of Mr.Sorensen seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to approve the definitive cluster subdivision plan entitled "Grassland Street Devel- opment" and to approve the certificate of action as amended. The Board reviewed the draft of a special permit dated 12/12/86 making minor editing changes. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously to grant a special permit with site plan review for the cluster subdivision entitled "Grassland Street Development", and to approve the decision, as corrected. 304. Hill Street subdivision, Leonard Colwell: Tony Casendino, architect for the developer, said that based on their discussion with the Board at the last meet- ing, they have returned to the original seven lot subdivision proposal, with modifications that attempt to deal with the Board's objections to the original plan. He added they are asking for direction about surface water drainage; whether to propose an open ponding system, or a pipe -enclosed in -ground plan. An informal poll of the Board members revealed they preferred an in -ground drain- age system, since the open system would result in the loss of most of the trees ' in the area. In response to a question from Mrs. Uhrig as to whether the road layout could be moved to lessen the severity of the road slope, Mr. Casend ino said not if they wanted more than three lots. In response to a question from Mrs. Klauminzer, Mr. Colwell said reducing the number of homes by one would not significantly reduce the length of the road. Mr. Sorensen recommended they attempt to move the entrance to the property to reduce the percentage of the road slope. Mrs. Uhrig agreed adding that they should talk with the Engineering Department and the Conservation Commission about surface drainage and excessive road slope problems. John Zvara, 8 Childs Road, reported that the neighbors' main concern is the proposed density of the development. They felt seven new homes will create too high a density for the neighborhood, where most of the surrounding lots are in excess of 25,000 sq. ft. 305. Carriage Drive, Woodhaven Realty: The Board reviewed its interpretation of the dead-end street requirement with Peter Kelly and Richard Perry of Woodhaven Realty. Mr. Kelly noted the connection of Carriage Drive to Winter Street would result in the subdivision road being used as a short cut from the northern cor- ner of town into the Hartwell Road/Maguire Road area of town, bringing an excessive amount of high speed traffic through the neighborhood. He continued to argue that their proposed "loop" road was not the same as a dead-end road as defined in the Zoning By -Law and the Board's Development Regulations. The Board did not agree with his assertion that what was proposed was a loop road and not a longer than 650' dead-end street. They commented favorably on the merits of the cluster design, but the majority of the Board could not see how the road could be other than a through street, adding that it had always been the policy of the Planning Board to connect Town roads whenever possible. [1 L 1 Minutes of December 15, 1986 306. Letter to Selectmen Re Submitting Warrant Articles: approved for transmittal a draft letter, dated December space in the Warrant be reserved for six zoning articles to the Zoning By -Law: A. Commercial Revision, B. Technical Corrections, C. "Jumbo" Houses, Page 4 The Board reviewed and 15, 1986, requesting which propose amendments D. Swimming Pools, requested by the Board of Appeals, E. Roof Overhangs, requested by the Board of Appeals, and F. Parking in Flood Plains, requested by the Conservation Commission. 307. Commercial Revision Amendment: The Board reviewed the draft entitled Table 1, Part B. Commercial Uses (as of 12/18/86) determining which uses would be permitted in the various commercial districts. Mr. Sorensen recommended reducing the number of separate districts by consolida- tion. The Board decided to complete the process of use determination first, and then consider a reduction in the number of separate districts. REPORTS 308. 1986 Annual Report: The Board reviewed and edited a draft form of the Planning Board annual report. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to approve the report as revised. 309. Planning Board, subcommittees a. Decisions by the Board of Appeals: Mr. Sorensen reported on the Board of Appeals decisions for December 11, noting that the hearing on the sub -standard building lot at 20 Fair Oaks Terrace had been postponed until January 8, 1987. 310. Planning Director a. Fee Schedule for Planning Board publications: The Board reviewed the draft fee schedule for publications presented by Mr. Bowyer, making corrections. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously to adopt the Fee Schedule, dated December 15, 1986, as amended. b. Town center fire: Mr. Bowyer reported he will attend the Selectmen's meeting on December 16, 1986 to discuss the provisions of the Zoning By -Law about rebuilding options for the businesses that were burned out in the Town center. The meeting was adjourned at 11:14 Martha Wood, Clerk