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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-02-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF DECEMBER 2, 2009 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building, and called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Vice Chairman Canale with members Manz, Galaitsis, Hornig and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Zurlo was absent. Town Counsel Mr. Kevin Batt was also present. ***************************SUBDIVISION ADMINISTRATION*************************** Stedman Road, Preliminary Road Construction Plan: Attorney Fred Paulsen, the applicant Al Casella, and David Romero and Erich Nitzsche of Commonwealth Engineering were present at the meeting. The discussion addressed the possible alternatives, which were to continue the road through to the next road or provide a turnaround on the property with an easement, which raised the issue of the length of the dead-end street. The vehicle for the approval process was discussed and the most-straight forward approach may be subdivision control with a list of waivers. Mr. Nitzsche explained the property was 275 feet in from Brookside Road with 100-foot frontage. The distance from the lot along Brookside Road to Waltham Street is more than 650 feet. The plan showed a variable width pavement and a T-turnaround within the road and on the property with an easement. The proposed road would be 22 feet wide, the drive would be10-12 feet wide up the hill to a two-car garage. Right now the lot was wooded and there was a cart path down Stedman Road. The right of way width varies from 18-38 feet and pavement 18-20 feet. There would be an easement beyond the edges of the paved area for the turnaround. The Planning Board raised the following concerns: ? Pedestrian access is there now and should continue in the future; continuation of the path to Marrett Road would be important. ? Details missing included the utility plan, the landscaping plan and a list of waivers requested; ? No waiver should be allowed for the lack of a sidewalk on one side of the road; ? There should be flexibility to allow the preservation of trees and stonewalls; ? A dead-end water main was not acceptable, there should be water service from Brookside or a loop to Farmcrest Road; ? A possible solution to the turnaround would be continue the road to Farmcrest Road; depending on what is in the best interest of public safety and access for students; ? A wider right of way would be better; would the fire department accept the narrowest pavement 2 Minutes for the Meeting of December 2, 2009 Page width Audience Comments: ? There was an issue with the Stone’s property and Stedman Road; ? The tree warden should survey the property before any cuts were made; and ? Boulders were placed to prevent cars from going through, but allowed for the small plows to get around to plow the road, what should be done with these? Mr. Canale suggested that the neighbor’s points be put in writing and submitted to the Board. Ms. McCall-Taylor said she had heard from the Stones and they asked that she convey that they had no issues with this plan. Attorney Kevin Batt said the Land Court decision established that the way existed in 1948. The plan could be submitted either through subdivision control with a 20-day right to appeal or by a street construction plan with a 60-day right to appeal. The Board agreed that subdivision control would be the most appropriate route to take. The applicant requested the withdrawal of the submission for the Street Construction Plan of Stedman Road. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to accept the applicant’s request to withdraw the Street Construction Plan. Mr. Paulsen requested that they have another informal meeting with the Board. Mr. Canale suggested that they meet with staff first about a new submittal. *****************************APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED***************************** 6 Holmes Road; 2009-7 : On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the plan entitled “ Plan of Land in Lexington, Massachusetts (Middlesex County)” dated October 15, 2009, prepared and certified by Rober Survey, Arlington, MA, with Form A/2009-7, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. ************************************* MINUTES ************************************** Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of October 21, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1, to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Galaitsis abstained as he had not been present at the meeting. Page 3 Minutes for the Meeting of December 2, 2009 The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of October 28, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1, to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Galaitsis abstained as he had not been present at the meeting. The Board reviewed the minutes for the regular meeting of November 4, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the minutes as amended. The Board reviewed the minutes for the executive meeting of November 4, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the minutes as amended. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 9, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1, to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Galaitsis abstained as he had not been present at the meeting. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 16, 2009. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1, to approve the minutes. Mr. Galaitsis abstained as he had not been present at the meeting. **************************HARTWELL AVENUE AREA STUDY************************** Mr. Rick Bryant and Ms. Sasha Wood of Tetra Tech Rizzo were present to discuss the Traffic Study for the Hartwell Avenue area Transportation Management Overlay District. The consultant distributed a handout with possible options to address concerns expressed at the earlier meetings. After discussion a small group of preferred alternatives will be fleshed out and in four weeks they would come back with the final recommended plan to get comments and then come back with an approved plan. Board Discussion: ? Where does the TDM piece fall into place here? Mr. Bryant said it would be done separately we need to focus on setting targets. Once goals are set it would be easier to work out a TDM plan. ? Can the Hartwell Avenue maintain the current capacity, but be made more user-friendly? ? Overall goal would be to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles from today. ? The Town wants increased economic development and there would need to be a plan designed that would include capacity improvements, pedestrian accommodations, bicycle accommodations and multi-modal transit system enhancements. 4 Minutes for the Meeting of December 2, 2009 Page ? Sidewalks would be important on both sides of Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue. ? Roundabouts would have potential; could the Board see more detailed plans for them? ? HATS towns have been working together to find ways to preserve Battle Road from impacts. ? A median on Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue would be helpful for no left turn restrictions. ? What would make pedestrians more comfortable crossing Bedford Street? ? Narrower lane widths could be explored on Bedford Street to reduce traffic speed. Audience comments: ? Nancy Nelson, Superintendent of the Minuteman National Historic Park, said she was looking forward to speaking with the consultant and learning more about the plan. There was significant concern about shuttling increased traffic through the Park and she would like to see some projected traffic volumes for the road and also hear about some alternatives. Mr. Bryant would be happy to meet with the Park supervisors and exchange data. ? On Wood Street consider closing the Lincoln Labs driveway, which would get all the Lincoln Labs traffic off Wood Street. ? Has anyone asked the Mass DOT recently about a signal or a pedestrian signal at Eldred Street? Bedford Street was recently restriped by the State and has created an unsafe condition. Mr. Bryant said that there was concern about backup onto Route 128 from the queues but traffic was already at a standstill during rush hour and would likely have no notable impact. ? Eldred Street pedestrian crossing was a potential fatality, and safety, not capacity, would need to be addressed. ********************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION SCHEDULE******************** 2010 Town Meeting: The Board would be addressing the Center collateral issues, FEMA, impervious surface. The Center Committee will be coming in with some possible amendments regarding height, parking and signage in the Center. Mr. Hornig said the Center Committee would need to come in earlier then a week before the warrant closes if they were coming in with major initiatives. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 p.m. Anthony Galaitsis, Clerk