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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-19-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 19, 2004 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice Chair Kastorf, with members Davies, Galaitsis, Manz and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Mr. Harden arrived at 7:35 p.m. MINUTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of February 4 and 25, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. Mrs. Manz abstained. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of May 3 and 5, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Galaitsis abstained. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMIlUSTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 31 and 35 Cary-Avenue, „Second Sketch Plan Review Mr. Michael Dryden, senior project manager, Meridian Engineering, presented a second sketch plan showing seven dwelling units on 1.9 acres of land at 31 and 35 Cary Avenue. Mr. Todd Cataldo, Sheldon Corporation, the applicant, and about a dozen abutters were also present. He pointed out changes made in response to Board suggestions and requests: more massing of the open space; the dwellings shown are ten percent smaller than in the previous plan; 25 percent of the lot is wooded and that will remain the same; the road was curved in such a way as to avoid injuring a large specimen tree the Board wants to preserve. Board Questions and Comments: Mr. Davies expressed his concern that excavation for the two nearest new homes will damage the specimen tree and the fill being dumped there will do the same. Mr. Cataldo said that he does not um lan to d more fill at this time. p p Mr. Harden asked that the character of the existing streetscape be maintained by moving the two units closest to the street back to about the same setback the other homes on Cary Avenue. The Board requested a plan showing the surrounding neighborhood at the next presentation. Mr. Galaitsis indicated that he could not support the plan currently. It is too massive a development and the tree would be doomed to die. The Board urged Mr. Cataldo to propose fewer dwellings and suggested that the specimen tree could be a focus of the development. Asked about providing attached units, Mr. Cataldo indicated his belief that they don't really fit into this neighborhood. After some discussion, Board members agreed that accessory apartments are problematic in terms of being "affordable housing" but they do offer an alternate housing type that is needed in Lexington, often by a relative of the owner of the dwelling. Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board thinks five units are too many and, if so, he would build a conventional subdivision with four large units and a cul de sac instead of a cluster. The Board acknowledged that a conventional subdivision would probably have even more impervious surface than a cluster with five units. However, Mr. Galaitsis expressed skepticism that in a conventional subdivision there could be more than three units due to the wetlands. Mr. Harden indicated that the current plan represents some progress and that with fewer dwellings and more imagination in scaling, preservation of features and the character of the streetscape, it could in time be acceptable. Minutes for the Meeting of May 19, 2004 2 Audience Questions and Comments: Audience questions had to do with the difference between cluster and conventional subdivisions, and impacts of the development on drainage in the area. Many abutters testified to their severe problems with stormwater runoff over the years. Mel Scott, Middle Street, contended that the Town had earlier promised to help in this regard but did not follow through. That has left a problem that residents have struggled with for a long time. It is his hope that this situation can be made right. 47 and 53 Pleasant Street,_Luongo Farm Lane, Luongo Endorse Plans As the Town Clerk certified that no appeal had been filed of the Board's approval of Eugene and Jeanne Luongo's definitive subdivision plans for 47 and 53 Pleasant Street, the Board endorsed the plans. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT Town Meeting ecap Potential Referendum Election: Mr. Harden noted that no referendum petition was filed after Town Meeting approved the Met State Rezoning petition, for which everyone felt relieved. The possibility of a referendum had been rumored. Article 13, Met State Hospital Rezoning: Mr. Harden congratulated the Board and thanked the staff for its hard work on getting the Met State rezoning successfully through Town Meeting. Article 12, Amend Standards for RD District: Town meeting member Frank Sandy's concern about the unanticipated effects of article 12, which amended the standards for RD districts, was discussed. The changed standards could be utilized in other existing RD districts, not just the Met State and Brookhaven RD districts, as originally thought. The Board decided to write to him, saying that it was an unfortunate occurrence, but that no remarkable effects were likely as all RD proposals, including changes to existing RD developments, need to come before Town Meeting for approval. If necessary, a change correcting the situation could be made at a future Town Meeting. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD WORK PROGRAM * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Evaluating Planning Work Commitments Through FY05 The Board and staff discussed and prioritized the tasks outlined in a table prepared by staff, dated May 19, 2004. The tasks are: Middlesex County Hospital disposition (small parcel and large parcel); Housing commitments and initiatives (6 tasks); Town Meeting follow - through (6 tasks); Permitting (seven pending or active cases, other); Economic development/redevelopment projects (2 tasks); Other 2005 Town Meeting support, citizen/landowner petitions not yet known. The Board agreed to invite the Lexington Center Committee to a meeting to discuss downtown issues some time in late June or early July. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE Meeting Schedule The Board set meetings for June 30, July 14, and July 28, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meet g at 10: t GLca"'"' ohn L. Davies, Clerk