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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-03-16PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 16, 1987 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Hall, and Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order by the Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, at 7:40 p.m. in Estabrook Hall, with members Cripps, Klauminzer, Sorensen, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski, and Secretary Peters present. Mrs. Wood was absent. 75. Approval of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of February 17, 18, and 23, 1987. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written. 76. Form A/87-5 Spring Street, Raytheon: The Board reviewed a plan showing the existing lot lines of Lot "A", having frontage on Spring, Shade and Weston Streets and containing 95.6 acres. Ms. Rawski commented the frontage and acreage contained in the parcel conformed to the zoning requirements of the district, and their reason for filing the Form A was to get the plan on record to freeze zoning for three years. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass., dated March 11, by Dana F. Perkins & Assoc., Inc., certified by Willard F. Perkins, Registered Land Surveyor, with application form A/87-5 by Raytheon Co., as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. ' 77. Form A/87-6, Holmes Road, Russell & Jeanne Bock: The Board reviewed a plan showing the transfer of Parcel "A" from Lot 57A to Lot 58 with both lots contin- uing to conform to the frontage and acreage requirements of the zoning district. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land Lexington, Ma.", dated October 6, 1986, by B/M Engineers - Surveyors, Inc., certified by Eugene J. Milly, Certified Land Surveyor, with application form A/87-6 by Russell J. & Jeanne Bock, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 78. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING, Highland Farms, Preliminary Plan: Mrs. Uhrig reviewed the Board's procedure for conducting the meeting, and introduced devel- oper Joel Greenstein. He explained the proposed cluster development would con- tain 6 units in three buildings, one containing a single unit, one a double unit and one a triple unit, and be served by an interior drive off an extension of Dunham Street which will connect Dunham Street to Woburn Street. He noted 46% of the site will remain as common open space. There will be three building lots along the Dunham Street extension also included in the subdivision. He intro- duced Architect Guy Messier and Jim Fairweather of Dana F. Perkins & Assoc., Inc. who discussed the road design, drainage system and other design and site features. Minutes of March 16, 1987 Page 2 They requested direction from the Board and will ask the following waivers be granted: for a pavement width of 22 feet instead of 24 feet, from construction of a sidewalk, from construction of the fire alarm system and from taking a traffic count. They added they have been before the Conservation Commission and have identified the wetlands. In response to a question from Mrs. Uhrig the developer said the proposed drain- age Swale had not been reviewed by the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Uhrig noted more detailed information should be shown for the three lots off the Dunham Street extension. In response to a question from Mrs. Klauminzer, the developer said all easement rights have been obtained. Mrs. Klauminzer suggested a walking easement be obtained into the common open space off Webb Street. Ms. Rawski had questions about the test pits, (five done - 10/11 feet deep), about the double catch basins and the length of the interior drive (387 feet). Questions and comments from the audience focused on: the proof plan, whether the the drainage plans will prevent flooding off site, estimated time of construc- tion, whether the developer would be willing to put in a conservation easement prohibiting the construction of a swimming pool or a tennis court in the common open space, (he was willing), planting plans, and a reported existing sewer back- up problem on Woburn Street. The hearing was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Later in the evening, Ms. Rawski requested direction from the Board on the pre- paration of a draft certificate of action and special permit. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted unanimously to approve the Preliminary Plan with the conditions that more information on the three building lots be required, and that the recreational open space come under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. 79. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING: GROVE STREET/VOLUNTEER WAY, Preliminary Plan: Mrs. Uhrig explained the Board's procedure for conducting the meeting, and intro- duced representatives of SEA Consultants, Cambridge, who reviewed the plan for a five lot subdivision of approximately 4.4 acres, off Grove Street. They reported they found no standing water or vegetated wetlands, and the drainage would be contained on the site. They have filed for a Determination of Applicability with the Conservation Commission and no waivers have been requested from the Planning Board. They indicated they do not wish to explore the possibilities of a cluster development. Mr. Sorensen observed they would need a waiver from constructing a fire alarm system, and in response to another question from him, was told the maximum road road grade would be 4-5 X. Questions and comments from the audience focused on: the assertion that Grove Street was a "high speed short cut" to Bedford and that there was a "blind spot" in front of the development making it even more dangerous; the location and architecture of the homes proposed; soil conditions and alleged ledge and water back of lots 4 & 5. Minutes of March 16, 1987 Page 3 Mrs. Uhrig commented the plans were uninspired and she hoped they would consider a cluster plan. The hearing was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Later in the evening, Ms. Rawski requested direction from the Board for the preparation of the draft certificate of action and special permit. On the motion of Mrs. Klauminzer, seconded by Mr. Sorensen, it was voted 3-1-0 (with Mrs. Uhrig voting in the negative) to approve the Preliminary Plan, listing all items missing from the submission as conditions for approval. The meeting reconvened at 9:03 p.m. in Room G-15, Town Office Building. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 80. Wood Street/Hartwell Ave., Katandin Woods Limited Partnership, additional six month extension to October 2, 1987: Mrs. Klauminzer gave an oral review of the application. She reported the effect of the new federal tax laws is the developers could not apply for a tax credit cap and still meet the April 2, 1987 deadline for construction to begin. They also wish to make design changes in the plan, approved under the comprehensive permit, which they maintain are not substantial changes. She felt not enough information had been furnished to the Town to decide whether the changes ' requested were substantial or not. The Board discussed the application and agreed they did not have a problem with the request for an extention of time, however, they agreed not enough information had been furnished to determine whether or not the amount of change proposed by the application was a substantial change from what was originally approved. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to recommend: that in view of the fact that the tax laws have changed, the Board has no objection to the granting of an extension of time, but they would not comment on changes in the site plan until they are thoroughly reviewed. *********************** ARTICLES FOR 1987 TOWN MEETING ************************ 81. Article 42, Technical Corrections: The Board discussed the meaning of paragraph 7.3.2, Access, as it relates to access from the frontage street by way of a common driveway in a subdivision. The Board agreed the wording should be revised to permit common driveways where the Board agrees it would be the best solution on a difficult site. 82. Article 44, Swimming Pools: The Board agreed to require a setback of 20 feet, measured from the edge of the water rather than from the edge of the deck. 1 1 Minutes of March 16, 1987 Page 4 83. Article 46, Jumbo Houses: Ms. Rawski suggested the wording be clarified to show that the impervious surface ratio applied to all lots, while the wider setback applied only when the dwelling is larger than 2500 sq. ft. The Board agreed the wording of the motion should be revised for clarification. 84. Article 48, FAR: The Board reviewed a draft of the Planning Board's report on the article, making revisions. 85. Article 49, Height of Buildings: The Board had no corrections for the draft report, and will vote approval of all reports together. 86. Article 47, Traffic Analysis: The Board met with the sponsors of the article. Present were Jacqueline Davison, Ira Richer, James Lambie, Louise and Frank Kava, and Alan and Helen Wade. Mr. Richer presented the sponsor's article, making the following points: 1) any traffic analysis should consider all intersections likely to be affected; 2) the impact of proposed or current development occurring in adjoining towns should be considered in any traffic analysis for development in Lexington; 3) the Town should require an independent review done by a consultant not hired by the developer and 4) no development should be permitted that would result in the level of ser vice being below above a "C" rating. Mrs. Uhrig said the Board understood their concerns but did not see how the Board could support the petitioner's article. A discussion of tactics for presentation of the petitioner's article and the Board's traffic section of Article 43 at Town Meeting followed. 87. Planning Director a. Zoning Freeze Legislation: Mr. Bowyer reported that legislation had been filed in the State Legislature to move the trigger date of a zoning freeze for subdivision plans to the date of the notice of the hearing, as it is for a building permit or a special permit. He recommended the Board support this measure. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously to send a letter supporting the legislation. The meeting was adjourned at 11:08 p.m. 44 udith J. rig, Chairma