Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-181 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR MAY 18, 1987 The meeting of the Lexington Planning board held in Room G-15, Town Office Build- ing, was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs Uhrig, with members Klauminzer, Sorensen, Williams, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner and Secretary Peters present. ***************** ADMIMISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************** 151. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Hearings scheduled for May 28, 1987: 34 Spring Street, Judd & Frances Kline, Variance, swimming pool setbacks: The Board recognized the difficulty created by the long, narrowly shaped lot. However, because the pool will back up to small lots on Hudson Road, they believed the rights of the present and future abutters should be con- sidered. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Williams, it was voted unanimously to recommend the variance be denied. 10 Pelham Road, M. Kando, SP, to operate a creative arts program known as The Children's Arts Corner": The Board felt this use would be a very appropriate one for the facility and should be encouraged. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted unanimously to recommend the special permit be granted. 45 Forest Street, Lexington Housing Authority, Variance, addition• The Board felt the variance should be granted if additional plantings are added along the rear of the property to screen the addition from the abutting property. The Board also noted the applicant should be informed that the proposed ramp appears to be within the rear yard setback and that a variance would be required for this feature as well. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted 4-0-1, with Mr. Williams voting in the negative, to recommend the variance be granted, with the stipulation that there be additional planting along the rear property line. 1709-1727 Massachusetts Avenue, Estate of Abram Salter, SP rebuild commer- cial building destroyed by fire: Mr. Sorensen objected to the method of calculating the square footage of the building, saying it would result in a bigger building than existed before. The Board agreed the applicant should be encouraged to propose improvements to the rear of the building and adja- cent to the cleaners which would be consistent with the streetscape along Massachusetts Avenue, and to provide a comparable amount of site amenities such as brick paving, additional landscaping, etc. They also agreed that if it is not appropriate for those types of improvements to be made at this time, the applicant should be required to provide funds to the Town which would be used to make these improvements at a future date. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted 4-0-1, with Mr. Soren- sen opposed, to recommend the special permit be granted. Minutes for May 18, 1987 Page 2 The Board agreed to make no comment on the following applications: 43 Farmcrest Ave, Eric Huoppi, SP, to add a 2nd floor to non -conforming building. Emerald Street, LEXHAB, rehearing of variance for continued use of deck. 152. PUBLIC HEARING, 88 Hill Street, Beechwood Lane, definitive plan: Mrs. Uhrig opened the hearing at 9:03 p.m. Roger Corbin of BSC Bedford, representing the applicant, reviewed the site plan, noting the project had been before the Board previously, and they had tried to meet the Board's earlier comments. Frank DiPietro, BSC Bedford, described an in -pipe storage system to contain surface water runoff on site, for a 50 year storm. He added the drainage in the new street had been designed to collect all water runoff from pavement and roof areas, and connect into the in -pipe storage system. He noted the cul-de-sac is under 400 feet in length, and they will hold to an 8% slope, although this will result in some severe cuts and excessive loss of trees on the site. It was estimated that approximately 35 to 40% of the trees would be lost due to the estimated 12 ft. cut and grading of the side banks of the road, required to conform to the 8% maximum slope allowed by the Development Regulations. ' Mrs. Uhrig questioned why the applicant had proceeded directly to a definitive plan submission rather than applying for a preliminary plan which would have allowed them to get more input from the Board prior to finalizing their plans. Stephen Russian, attorney for the applicant, noted they had faced serious time constraints, and added the application met the requirements for a subdivision, and they would be asking for no waivers except the usual fire -alarm waiver. Mrs. Klauminzer noted the Engineering Department had problems with how the drain- age easement would be maintained by adjacent lot owners. In response to a ques- tion from Mrs. Klauminzer, as to why they had decided on an in -pipe storage system outside of the right-of-way, Mr. DiPietro explained the slope of the roadway had made this the only practical solution to prevent excessive run-off of surface water off the property. In response to another question from Mrs. Klauminzer, Mr. DiPietro said the area of 12 foot cut in the road to maintain the 8% slope, was approximately 200 feet long. Mrs. Uhrig asked how the developer would lessen the "canyon" effect caused by the 12 foot cut. Mr. DiPietro described a two step grading of the side banks of the road, half of the cut in ledge and half in earth, which would lessen the number of trees that would be lost. Mrs. Uhrig asked if the location of the sidewalk required the removal of mature trees. In response to a question from Ms. Rawski, if some of the trees could not be saved by the use of tree wells, it was noted that they would do all possible to preserve valuable trees, but it was difficult to do this now before the final residence, utilities, road and driveway locations have been set. Roger Borghesani, 24 Hill Street, asked what was to prevent owners increasing the amount of impervious surface, after the subdivision is approved, by regrading or repaving parts of their property, or by adding swimming pools, etc. Minutes for May 18, 1987 Page 3 John Zvara, 8 Childs Road, had questions and comments on details of contours, number of trees to be removed and drainage. The hearing was closed at 8:38 p.m. Later in the evening the Board continued their deliberations of the definitive plan before them. By an informal poll, the Board agreed the application should be denied, because the drainage system should be located in the street right-of- way, and the development was too intense for the site. They commented that zoning was not an entitlement to develop the maximum number of dwellings allowed, and that factors other than acreage and frontage should be considered in deter- mining how intense a site is developed. The staff will prepare a draft certifi- cate of action reflecting the Board's concerns. 153. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING, North Street, preliminary plan: Harry Fuller, landscape architect from Carol Johnson Associates, reported there would be three house lots off a 2/5 foot cul-de-sac. The property abuts a commercial district, and they are proposing a buffer to screen the abutting lot from the commercial property. Approximately 1.7 acres of the 4+ acres is wetland. Since the land slopes naturally into the wetland, they are proposing to pipe surface water runoff from the end of the cul-de-sac, into a detention basin with a controlled outlet, and from there into the wetlands. They have submitted a Notice of In- tent to the Conservation Commission in this regard. Mr. Fuller noted this is a change from what was submitted earlier, which proposed ' to pipe the surface water runoff via the new road into North Street and thence into Lowell Street. They felt rather than have it drain into the street drainage system, ending in the same marsh, they would control it themselves. He added a catch basin at the end of the road with a grease and sand trap in it, will pro- tect the wetlands from road pollutants. Mr. Fuller added they are proposing a 15 foot walking easement to Town owned property. In response to a question from Mr. Williams, Mr. Fuller agreed to discuss with the owner giving the wetland to the Town for conservation purposes. In response to a question from Mrs. Klauminzer, Mr. Fuller said the detention basin would be contained in a 10 foot drainage easement split between two abut- ting lots. Mr. Bowyer and Mr. Williams recommended they consider a cluster plan. Ms. Rawski recommended they contact the Engineering Department, before proceeding further on their design of the drainage system. Patrick Barbieri, 161 North Street, asked if it were possible to get more than three house lots in the subdivision. Mrs. Uhrig said it was not. The meeting was closed at 9:10 p.m. Later in the evening the Board continued their consideration of the preliminary plan. By informal poll, they agreed they had no major concerns. In the prepara- tion of a definitive plan, they agreed a cluster plan should be tried, the back Minutes for May 18, 1987 Page 4 wetlands should be deeded to the Town for conservation purposes and there should be some sort of evergreen buffer along the easement separating the subdivision from the abutting commercial property. 154. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING, Tracer Lane, preliminary plan: Mrs. Uhrig opened the meeting by explaining the Board's procedures for a preliminary plan. Roger Kalstrom of Symmes, Maini and McKee, representing the applicant, reviewed the proposal. He reported the site contained about 30 acres in two zones, a residential zone in the upland area, and a CR zone. The sole access to the property is from Waltham, off Trapelo Road on an existing private way, Tracer Lane, which they are proposing to extend to obtain the required legal frontage. He added that approvals from 17 governmental agencies are needed. He noted the building proposed will contain approximately 73,000 sq.ft. in three stories, and they estimate approximately 255 cars will use the road daily. They will be requesting 7 or 8 waivers. This application will come under an FAR of .25, since it was filed before the FAR was reduced to .15 at the 1987 Annual Town Meeting. In response to a question from Mr. Williams, Mr. Kalstrom confirmed the proposed extension of Tracer Lane into the property will actually be a bridge constructed over a wetland. In response to a question from Mrs. Wood, he reported the bridge would be approximately 1,100 feet long. 1 Ms. Rawski, reading a memo from the Fire Chief, noted their concerns about access around the building for fire trucks. She also reported it would be impractical for Lexington to supply water to the site. In response to a question from Mr. Williams, the applicant confirmed that the project would die if the 650 foot limit for a deadend street regulation were not waived, since the proposed length was approximately 1100 feet long. Mr. Bowyer commented this is a unique piece of property. It is essentially inaccessible from Lexington, adjacent to the water supply of another municipality and all the services, such as fire, police, water, sewer and ambulance service are best furnished from the City of Waltham. He added there should be documented evidence that the City of Waltham will provide these services. The developer should also have to agree that no abatements of Lexington taxes will be sought by future property owners, because these services are being provided by Waltham. Mrs. Louise Butler, 1625 Trapelo Road, Waltham, and president of the Neighborhood Association, reported their opposition to the proposal. Other comments from the audience focussed on environmental concerns about the construction of the bridge/road. The meeting was closed at 9:45 p.m. The Board agreed that there are many problems with this application, and directed the staff to prepare a draft certificate of action reflecting their concerns. 1 C i Minutes for May 18, 1987 Page 5 ************************** REPORTS ************************************* Planning Board, Subcommittees a. Board of Appeals, decisions on hearings for 5/8/87: Mrs. Wood reported the Board of Appeals approved the applications at 258 Worthern Rd. East, to change legal address to Dover Road, and 14 Sunnyknoll Terrace for a division of lots, partially because it had previously been allowed by the Planning Board back in 1971. They disapproved the applications at Albemarle S Winn Avenues to overturn the decision of the Building Commissioner, and 80 Westview Street, to demolish a build- ing and construct a automobile repair garagae. The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 p.m. Martha C. Wood, Clerk