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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-28PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Build- ing, was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Uhrig, with members Klauminzer, Sorensen, Williams, Wood, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Rawski and Secretary Peters present. 256. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes of the regular meeting and the Executive Session for September 14, 1987. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted 4-0-1 (Mrs. Wood abstained since she had not attended the meeting) to approve the minutes for the regular meeting as written. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer it was voted 3-0-2 to approve the minutes for the executive session of September 14, 1987, as written, (Mrs. Wood abstained since she had not attended the meeting, and Mr. Williams abstained since he had not been present for the executive session portion of the meeting). **************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************** APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS ' 257. Hearings scheduled for October 8, 1987: Mr. Sorensen gave an oral review of the following cases to be heard by the Board of Appeals: 550 Lowell Street, Donna Compagnone, Variance, to allow a satellite receiv- ing antenna to remain as installed on the roof: The Planning Board noted that one of the reasons Article 46 of the 1986 Annual Town Meeting passed almost unanimously was townspeople wanted to prevent the installation of unsightly roof -top antennas all over town. They agreed the Town has an aesthetic objective in restricting the location of satellite dishes to the back yard, which should be maintained. The variance should also be opposed because the application for approval was submitted after construction -installation has been completed, without first seeking a permit. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Wood, it was voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Appeals that the variance be denied. The Planning Board agreed to make no comment on the following cases: 47 Potter Pond, John and Eleanor Coppadona, SP, addition of screened porch. 959 Waltham Street, Lexington Lodge of Elks, SP, for the parking of seven trailors to be used for the distribution of telephone books. DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNACCEPTED STREET 258. Hazel Road, Robert Phelan, release of surety: The Board reviewed a memo from Town Engineer Frank Fields dated September 23, 1987, stating the improve- ments were constructed in accordance with the approved plan and recommending the final release of the surety. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mrs. Klauminzer, it was voted unanimously to release the remaining $1,500 of surety held by the Town. Minutes for September 28, 1987 Page 2 SUBDIVISION OF LAND 259. Subdivision Update: Ms. Rawski reported applications for definitive subdi- vision plans had been filed this past week by W. R. Grace, for three commercial lots off Hayden Avenue, and Woodhaven Realty for 12 residential lots off an extension of Carriage Drive to Winter Street. W. R. Grace has requested a 45 day extension to correct errors in the definitive plan submission which were enumerated by Ms. Rawski. The Board agreed a letter should be received from the applicant clarifying that this 45 day extension is to be added to the 60 day time period. The Board will act on the request for a 45 day extension of time at their meeting on October 5, 1987. The approved plans for the Busa Farms subdivision have tentatively been scheduled for endorsement by the Board next week if corrections to the plans are made and legal documents are approved by Town Counsel. It has been found that the the location of the sewer line conflicts with the location of a Boston Edison duct bank. The Board agreed this could be handled as a field change. The Fire De- partment has approved the name "Farm Road" for the subdivision street. The Board agreed they preferred "Busa Farm Road" as the name. Ms. Rawski reported Simonds Estate has been checked twice in the past week and no excessive debris has been seen. Mr. Bowyer added there had been complaints about about the "ugliness" of some areas in Pheasant Brook Estates, i.e. unmowed and uncared for areas that are apparently not the responsibility of any property owner, except the developer, for maintenance. 260. Subdivision Procedures, landscape architects: The Board reviewed a draft dated September 24, 1987, entitled "Use of Landscape Architects in Subdivisions and Planned Residential Developments% Mr. Bowyer commented a note could be added that the Boston Society of Landscape Architects is another source for names of qualified persons. Mr. Williams suggested Conservation Administrator Wyman be consulted for names also. Mrs. Klauminzer suggested and the Board agreed the landscape architects named should be listed in alphabetical order and not grouped by past experience with the Board. A revised draft will be prepared for next week's meeting. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING 261. Capital Budget Recommendations: The Board agreed they did not have any projects unique to the Planning Board to recommend, and did not wish to suggest or comment on projects of a more general nature. ******************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *********** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 262. PUBLIC HEARING, James Manganello, definitive plan: Mrs. Uhrig opened the hearing at 9:02 p.m. by reading the Public Notice. Representing the applicant were Harry Fuller, from Carol R. Johnson & Associates, Inc., Cambridge, and Forrest Lindwall and Carol Doherty, from Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., Bur- lington. Two residents were present. Minutes for September 28, 1987 Page 3 Mr. Fuller presented the definitive plan, proposing three conventional lots on a 280 ft, cul-de-sac off North Street. He reported the storm drainage system had been revised based on their meeting with the Conservation Commission, and he reviewed the changes for the Board. He also reported more buffer planting had been inserted between the commercial and residential properties. Mr. Fuller said a conservation restriction will be placed on the back land, including the detention pond. He also said they had tried a cluster plan, but it did not work on this site, and added they will relocate the lot line behind the existing commercial building, which presently follows the zone line, in order to have a 20 foot setback from the commercial building. The Board agreed to require a 30 foot setback, to conform to the 1987 Zoning By-law. In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Fuller reported the drainage system has been approved by the Conservation Commission. He agreed the walking easement along the boundary between the commercial and residential property should be delineated better. Mr. Lindwall, commenting on #17 in the Engineering Depart- ment's memorandum dated 9/8/87, said they did not envision problems with drainage or the groundwater elevation restricting the design of homes because there is an 8 or 9 foot elevation difference from the home sites to the detention pond, and that this would be subject to the determination of the Building Commissioner when applications for building permits are made. He said they have responded to all ' the comments in the Engineering Department's memo, and they would send a letter responding point by point. They requested a 45 day extension of time for action by the Board in order to revise the drawings. The Board agreed to act on this request at next Monday's meeting. Mr. Fuller reported they are suggesting the subdivision street be named North Park Circle, but that the name has not been submitted to the Fire Department for approval. Mr. and Mrs. Patric Barbieri expressed concerns and had questions about the proposed buffers between the commercial and residential zoned properties. Mrs. Uhrig declared the hearing closed at 9:55 p.m. ************************** ARTICLES FOR 1988 TOWN MEETING ********************* 263. Projects for 1988 Town Meeting: The Board discussed a memo dated 9/24/87 from Mr. Bowyer on the subject of articles for 1988 Town Meeting, and agreed to set some priorities as to what should be prepared, and agreed to the following order of priorities: 1) Implementation of Housing Resolution: Mrs. Uhrig noted the Board has a lot of work to prepare for the 1988 Town Meeting to respond to the Article 50 Reso- lution on Rental Housing which calls for proposals and zoning amendments to increase the supply of affordable rental housing. The resolution asked the Board to identify privately owned sites and encourage new RD multi -family housing development and to review accessory apartment regulations. The Planning Board will also work in collaboration with the Selectmen, the Conservation Commission, the Lexington Housing Authority and the Lexington Housing Assistance Board and other concerned committees to identify publicly owned sites suitable for afford- Minutes for September 28, 1987 Page 4 able housing. The Board also discussed a draft entitled: "Tasks, Work Elements to Do the Program", dated 9/28/87 which outlines the Planning Boards tasks. Mr. Bowyer reported the staff had spent considerable time on items that meet the broader scope of the Resolution including items for the Town administration. Some of the items for which the Planning Board has direct responsibility have been deferred. There has been no response from the Board of Selectmen on housing matters from the joint meeting on August 31. The Board agreed that if it is to meet its responsibilities under the Resolution, the staff will have to concen- trate on completion of the Planning Board's tasks, while keeping the Selectmen informed of their progress. 2) Revision of the Non -Conformity Section of the Zoning By -Law: The Board agreed that the principal revision to the Zoning By -Law should be the section on nonconformtiy. The work begun by the summer intern at Palmer & Dodge should be completed; standards for minimum lot frontage and lot area for grandfathered lots should be revised; and standards for combination of undersized lots should be incorporated into the By -Law. 3) Completion of the South Lexington Study: The Board agreed completion of the study is important despite the interruptions of other projects. The staff should aim to complete at least the publication of the traffic study done by Dermot Kelly and the housing portion of the study. ' 4) Stage II of Commercial Revision: It was agreed the Towm Meeting amendment allowing commercial vehicles in residential districts should be rectified . Work on home occupations and the redistricting of the East Lexington strip, temporar- ily designated as CRS, Retail Shopping, can be deferred. 5) Amendments to Development Regulations: The priority items for revision are to provide for commercial subdivisions, to provide for two -lot residential subdi- visions, and to correct the time references due to changes in state law. Work on revision of design standards can be deferred. 6) Other items: It was agreed the following have a lower priority: RD, CD Guidelines, Adjustments to the Housing Element and drafting of a Commercial Element in the Comprehensive Plan. The Board may be heavily involved in the development of the Pine Meadows golf course property but that depends on the timing of the sale of the property. *********** REPORTS **************************************************** 264. 1 Planning Board, Subcommittees: a. Board of Appeals hearings for September 24, 1987: Mrs. Klauminzer reported a special permit with SPS had been granted for Brookhaven, with conditions; the application by Lexington Arts & Crafts Society for a special permit for a temporary sign three times a year was granted for seven years; and variances were granted at 27 Mason Street (additions), 4 Upland Road (deck with porch connection) and 2 Burns Road, (garage). b. MAPC Action Alert: Mrs. Uhrig reported that pending before the Comittee on House Ways and Means is H 258, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION MITIGATION AND RELIEF which the MAPC Executive Committee voted to support. Minutes for September 28, 1987 Page 5 They have urged all member cities and towns to write in support of this bill. The Board agreed to write such a letter. c. Bikeway Committee: Mrs. Wood reported on the most recent Bikeway Com- mittee meeting. The consultant does not expect to complete the design for the commuter bikeway until August 1988, with construction work to begin in the fall of 1988. d. Meeting Schedule: The Board agreed to schedule meetings for: November 9 and 23, and December 7 and 21, 1987, in addition to meetings on October 5 and 26, 1987 as previously scheduled. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. n L Eleanor Klauminzer,Clerk