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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-07-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 7, 2004 The 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 Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Manz and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Mr. Harden was absent due to a vacation. MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of March 10 and June 16, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. The Board reviewed the minutes of the executive session of December 17, 2003. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** 31 and 35 Cary Avenue, Third Sketch. Cluster Subdivision Plan, Todd Cataldo (Sheldon Con2orgbpn) Mr. Todd Cataldo, the applicant, and Mr. Michael Dryden, senior project engineer, were present. There were eight people in the audience. Mr. Dryden summarized the existing condition of the land and described how the current plan responds to the Planning Board's comments on two earlier sketch plans. Specimen Tree: The layout now provides a 75 -foot clearing around the specimen tree. Streetscape: The front yard setback for the two homes fronting Cary Avenue will match that of existing homes in the neighborhood. Locus Map: A map at 1" = 100' scale is supplied with this submission, showing the size and position of many surrounding homes on their lots. Roadway: The road shown is 300 feet long with a hammerhead turnaround that can accommodate all vehicles. Open Space: Twenty -five percent of the lot is shown as open space and the proposed homes are not near the wetland buffer zone. - Drainage: Only three new homes will be built and stormwater runoff will be fully mitigated. The Board reacted favorably to the space left around the specimen tree and to the accessibility of the open space. But a majority of the Board believes the scale of the development is still too overwhelming in size — for the property itself and for the surrounding neighborhood. They want to see a development that responds to the spirit of the Zoning Bylaw's cluster provisions by providing alternate housing size and types, for which the density bonus is offered. Mr. Davies indicated that the development seems to him to be a good one for this site. Audience Questions and Comments: The people from the Cary Avenue/Middle Street area near the development site expressed their strong feelings about the dumping the applicant is doing on the site. Large stones and dirt have been brought in over the last several months, creating a disturbing eyesore that has negatively impacted their quality of life. They fear more of the same during construction of the subdivision. They also expressed their concern about water problems with which some residents already contend. Mr. Mel Scott reiterated his complaint about the Town's responsibility for some of the water problems. The Board urged him to talk with the Building Commissioner about the matter. Mr. Garber explained the developer's obligations relative to storm water management, which are spelled out in the State Stormwater Management Regulations Mr. Davies observed that the real anger the neighbors feel about the dumping is not in the applicant's interest and asked why he is doing it. Mr. Dryden noted that Mr. Cataldo needs a final grading plan so he Minutes for the Meeting of July 7, 2004 2 can proceed with the development. Ms. McCall - Taylor noted that Mr. Cataldo has taken advantage of a timing loophole relative to demolition permits and replacement construction to dump fill and rocks there. Other concerns of the neighbors were increased traffic and parking on the streets. Direction to the Applicant: The Board indicated that Mr. Cataldo could next submit a preliminary plan although they noted that there were still major design issues that need to be addressed by the next plan. . They asked him to dump no more fill at the site unless and until it is clearly needed for the subdivision and to propose smaller houses if he intends to do a cluster subdivision. The storm water management system will be particularly closely scrutinized. Mr. Garber asked the neighbors to provide the staff with a list of their email addresses so they may be kept informed. PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW Forth. A/04 -5 Walnut Street and Piper Road Planning Director Glenn Garber, after consultation with the Planning Board chairman Karl Kastorf, had endorsed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at Waltham Street and Piper Road on June 29, 2004. This was done at the request of the state's Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) in order to allow the sale of the property within the 2004 fiscal year. The plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County) ", dated June 15, 2004, prepared by Harry Feldman, Inc., Boston, MA, and certified by Daniel G. Maclsaac Professional Land Surveyor on June 29, 2004, with Form A/04 -5, submitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the DCAM, does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. Form A/04 -6, Lincoln Street The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at Lincoln Street. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County) ", dated May 7, 2004 prepared by Metrowest Engineering, Inc., Framingham, MA, and certified by Robert A. Gemma, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/04 -6, submitted by DerMarderosian and Fletcher, applicants, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. Form A/04 -7, 330 Lexington Street, Woburn/Woburn Street, Lexington The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land 330 Lexington Street, Woburn/Wobum Street, Lexington. On a motion duly made and seconded it was voted to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County) ", dated January 6, 2004, revised March 16 and April 30, 2004, prepared and certified by Daniel D. O Neill, Burlington, MA, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/04 -7, submitted by Robert W. Murray, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Garber reported the following: Middlesex County Hospital = Disposition of Parcel in Lexington and Waltham DCAM will hold a public hearing to consider reuse restrictions on a six acre parcel of land that is part of the former Middlesex County Hospital property on July 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. The State wants its zoning decided before selling it. It is the Town's wish that the land revert to its base zoning, RO, Single - family. Mr. Garber offered to attend to testify in the Board's behalf. Potential Rowland Avenue Development Woodhaven Realty has acquired a second parcel of land at the end of Rowland Avenue and may submit a subdivision plan for it and an adjacent parcel, which was previously the subject of a subdivision proposal in 1999. The neighborhood questioned the Planning Board's jurisdiction in that case and the plan was withdrawn before the Board took any action. Avon Street, Demolition of House on an Unaccepted Way Due to an oversight by the Community Minutes for the Meeting of July 7, 2004 3 Development department, the homeowner at 20 Avon Street received a demolition permit for his home, which is on an unaccepted portion of the roadway. The Development Regulations require the improvement of a portion of the street if more than 50 percent of a house is demolished or a determination by the Planning Board that the road is of adequate grade and construction as is. The homeowner will come before the Board in the near future to ask for such a determination. Lincoln Labs Lincoln Labs plans to demolish and replace an old building and move a radar tower, the latter requiring a special permit from the Board of Appeals. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Si mature sheets for Regisity Regis of Deeds and Land Court As required by State statute, the Board endorsed signature sheets, required to be on file with the Registry of Deeds and the Land Court, reflecting the current membership of the Board and staff members authorized to sign for the Board. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. V - Wendy Map lerk