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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-01-26PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 26, 1987 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 Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Cripps, Klauminzer, Sorensen, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. 25. Form A/86-16, Lowell Street, Timothy Harrington: The Board discussed a letter from Attorney Charles G. Kadison, Jr., (no date) which referred to a plan entitled "Birchknoll Terrace Plan of Land in Lexington, Massachusetts" which had been changed after the Board endorsed the plan on August 4, 1986 and before it was recorded at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds as Plan No. 1503 of 1986. Mr. Kadison was present and apologized to the Board for the "obvious viola- tion of its rules and well established procedures", and added the engineer had been "made aware of the severe consequences of such a breach". He noted that nothing that would affect the correctness of the endorsement was chang- ed after the Board had endorsed the plan, and if the plan were submitted as recorded it would be entitled to the same endorsement. He asked that the Board ratify the changes made after its endorsement. On the motion of Mrs. Uhrig, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted 3-2-0, with ' Mr. Cripps and Mr. Sorensen voting in the negative, to rescind the endorse- ment of the plan and to record this action with the Registry. Mrs. Uhrig noted the Board took this action, requiring the applicant to resubmit the plan if he wishes the plan to be endorsed by the Board, to serve notice that in the future the Board would not sanction any changes in ANR plans after the plans had been endorsed by the Board. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 26. 191 Spring Street, Boston Properties. Preliminary Plan: Mr. Bowyer showed a subdivision plan of both the property in the CR zone and in the RO zone, apparently with the objectives of obtaining an eight year freeze from proposed changes in the 'Zoning By -Law. Mrs. Uhrig asked the staff to schedule a preliminary presentation by the developer for a more detailed explanation of the proposed subdivision. 27. Lillian Road, Busa Farms, Preliminary Plan: The Board conducted an informal hearing to hear a presentation by the developer on this preliminary plan. Frank DiPietro of BSC - Bedford described the plan. He noted it was a two lot subdivision that could be further divided into five lots, four buildable lots and one unbuildable to contain a detention area in the future. One purpose for filing this preliminary plan is to provide a freeze against any zoning changes affecting the property. He added the plan conformed to the Developmment Regulations, except they would be asking for waivers for the installation of the fire alarm system and requirements for a traffic study. Mr. Sorensen noted the 50 foot right-of-way should extend to the property line, so that any development on adjoining land could be connected by a through road. Minutes for January 26, 1987 Page 2 The Board discussed the memorandum prepared by Ms. Rawski and dated January 23, 1987. They will take action on the application on February 2, 1987. 28. 430-432 Concord Avenue, Sellars property: Ms. Rawski reported the developer has apparently acquired enough land to lay out a subdivision road off Concord Ave. She added they had met with the Conservation Commission who will require that the boundary of the vegetated wetland be restored to the April 1971 line that existed before there was fill illegally placed in wetlands on the site. In his letter to the Planning Board dated January 18, 1987 the developer noted this will deprive him of one or two lots for development. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted unanimously to support the decision of the Conservation Commission and require the original boundary of the wetland area be used for calculating the number of possible building lots on the property. 29. Hill Street, Leonard Colwell: Ms. Rawski reported the developer has resubmitted his original proposal for a conventional subdivision as a sketch plan and is looking for direction as he begins preparation of more detailed plans. For a distance of 40 feet, the roadway must pass through a portiom of the site which has slopes in excess of 15%. The Board agreed they were very reluctant to grant a waiver allowing a slope ' in excess of 8% in any road layout. They added that before they would consider granting a waiver permitting the road grade to exceed 8% the devel- oper should submit a plan which would demonstrate how the effects of the cut could be mitigated. This could include the use of retaining walls or a series of walls, outside the right -of -way and/or a well stabilized slope with ample plantings and trees to treat the scarred area. Ms. Rawski reported the Engineering Department has indicated informally that they would prefer in -pipe storage of surface water runoff over a detention basin. The Planning Board would support a proposal from the developer for the in -pipe storage method since it would eliminate the need for tree removal and additional grading in that area of the site, and would be preferable in terms of maintenance. The Board agreed they would consider allowing a five foot grass strip be- tween the roadway and the sidewalk instead of the an eight foot strip re- quired by the Development Regulations and to permit the slope to start within the three feet between the edge of the sidewalk and the property line as long as the slope did not exceed 3:1 within the right-of-way. 30. Pheasant Brook, Section 2: James McDowell of T & M Engineering, repre- senting the developer, presented a sketch plan consisting of a site analysis and the lot and street layout. He reported they will offer approximately 30 acres of land to the Town for conservation land, and that all drainage systems are presently under review by the Conservation Commmission. The Board agreed the developer should talk with the staff after the Order of Conditions have been issued by the Conservation Commission, and asked the assistant planner to prepare a response to the presentation addressing the Board's concerns. Minutes for January 26, 1987 Page 3 ******************** ARTICLES FOR 1987 TOWN MEETING *********************** 31. Article 42 - Technical Corrections: The Board reviewed and approved a draft dated 1/26/87, including a new part A8) added to reflect the updating of the National Flood Insurance Program rules and regulations. 32. Article 46 - Jumbo Houses: The Board reviewed and amended a draft dated 1/22/87. They agreed the article would apply to new conventional subdivisions only and approved the draft as amended. 33. Article 50 - Resolution, Rental Housing: The Board reviewed the draft resolution dated 1/21/87, and agreed to submit it for the 1987 Warrant. 34. Article 43 - Comprehensive Commercial Revision: The Board discussed a draft of "THE NEED FOR, AND OBJECTIVES OF, THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMERCIAL ZONING REVISION TO BE PRESENTED TO THE 1987 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING" dated 1/26/87, and agreed they would review it and get any recommended editing changes back to the staff in time for the Chamber of Commerce meeting Thurs- day evening, January 29, 1987 and for inclusion in the Warrant booklet as a Planning Board report. The Board continued their review of TABLE 1, PART A RESIDENTIAL, INSTITU- TIONAL, AGRICULTURAL USES , and agreed permitted residential uses in commer- cial districts should be drastically cut back. ******************************** REPORTS ********************************* 34. Planning Board, subcommittees a. Chamber of Commerce Meeting: Mrs. Uhrig announced the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce postponed because of a snow storm would be held January 29, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:52 p.m. 1 Martha Wood, Clerk