HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-14-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2004
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room 227 of the Clarke Middle School, was called
to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and Manz and
planning staff McCall - Taylor present.
MINUTES ****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of March 3 and
March 4, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
31 and 35 Cary Avenue Sketch Plan — Todd Cataldo of Sheldon Corporation was present with Michael
Dryden and Dylan James of Meridian Associates, Inc. to present a sketch plan for the tract consisting of
31 and 35 Cary Avenue. Mr. Dryden described the project as follows. There are three existing lots that
total 1.9 acres with a wetland in the northern corner. Mr. Cataldo proposes to build a cluster of five new
dwellings on a 200' roadway terminating in a hammerhead. Four of the dwellings will front on the new
road and one will front on Cary Avenue. The open space will be provided in the northern comer and in a
25' band along the southern side. The site is relatively level so usable open space is not a problem. A
proof plan shows four lots if done as a conventional subdivision. None of the maximum impact measures
will be exceeded. Two of the dwellings will include accessory apartments in walkout basements so there
will be a total of 7 dwelling units. The living area will average 3,800 square feet for each main unit. As
the apartments will be in the basements their square footage is not a factor.
Mr. Galaitsis questioned the proof plan showing the right of way on the wetland and indicated that the
proposal was not a cluster in his eyes as it just utilized open space that was left over after units were
placed. Mr. Davies suggested narrower, deeper lots to allow massing of the open space. He said that he
preferred a hammerhead to a circular turnaround. Mr. Harden commented that a 25' setback was required
and Mr. Dryden responded that the units would be set back an additional 25' for a total of 50'. Mr.
Galaitsis said they really needed to take another look at the open space — they should mass the open space
first and then put in the rest. He felt that this was a very small site and that too many units were packed
in. He said that the Planning Board Cluster Guidelines stated that at least half of the units should be
attached. Mr. Dryden observed that 2.5 units an acre was not that dense.
Mr. Harden asked if there would be a homeowners association responsible for maintenance and drainage.
Mr. Dryden said there would be a homeowners association but that dry wells would likely handle the run
off for each house.
The Board asked about the accessory apartments. Mr. Cataldo said there was a 16' grade change over the
lot so it would allow walkout units to be placed in the basements. He indicated that he would be willing
to agree to put restrictions on the apartments so that if they were rented they would be within the
affordable guidelines. Mr. Davies felt that they would most likely be used by family members and not
really rented.
Ms. Jamie Rauscher of 47 Cary Avenue brought up a list of concerns that included open space, noting that
there was only 26.2% open space, which was below what the Planning Board had proposed in Article 6.
She pointed out that the Taintor Report said that on average clusters had 44% open space. She was also
concerned about density, traffic impact and water drainage onto other property. She said that there is a
large maple tree on the site that should be preserved. She urged the Board to remember that there are
other cluster subdivision in the neighborhood.
Minutes for the Meeting of April 14, 2004 2
Ms. Martha Doo of 26 Cary Avenue asked about the alignment of the roadway with the drives across the
street. She did not want it to be aligned with her driveway and was concerned about cars parking on the
street, as it was already difficult getting out of her driveway because of telephone poles.
Mr. Cataldo was asked who owned the adjacent lot at 39 Cary Avenue and he replied that he did but that
it would be of no benefit to him to add it to the subdivision. It is a pie- shaped lot with 137' of frontage.
The existing house will be torn down and replaced.
Mr. Harden asked about the wooded area to the rear. Mr. Dryden said there were very few significant
trees, it was mostly young trees. Mr. Davies said that the house was located too close to the large maple
for the tree to survive.
Mr. Kastorf said that he was interested in affordable units and using accessory apartments. He said he
could support a hammerhead but wanted the open space massed and taken a step further, maybe attaching
units. He said his guess was that this was a three house conventional subdivision, not 5 and suggested
looking at two sets of two and a single. Mr. Cataldo said he was reluctant to attach units and cited the
Summer Street development that had four units on 1.4 acres. Mr. Galaitsis said two and two would be
better and that he should give attachment a more serious look. Mr. Harden indicated that he was not sure
about the fifth house. He felt probably three could be done as of right and that 5 houses of this size was
pushing the cluster. Mr. Kastorf said if there were to be rental units they must be affordable and included
in the 3,800 square feet. Mr. Galaitsis said if it looks like a basement, it's not an apartment, and if it's
two stories, it should look like two stories.
Mr. Cataldo said he would return with another sketch incorporating some of the comments.
ARTICLES FOR 2004 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Article 13 —Metropolitan State Hospital Redevelo ment — The Board briefly discussed DCAM's
response to the school -aged children guaranty. DCAM was willing to drop the credit to them if the
number of school -aged children dropped below 91 and have the five -year period start at 75% occupancy
but was not willing to do away with tying the guarantee to the total school enrollment. The Board
members agreed that this was not a problem as it could still be their recommendation and they stood by
the vote of the day before recommending the project to Town Meeting.
On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to -oum at 7:55 p.m.
/,' John L. Davies, Clerk