HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-03-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 2004
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Harden,
Manz and planning staff McCall- Taylor, and Tap present.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** EXECUTIVE SESSION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
At 7:35 p.m., by individual poll of the Board — Mr. Davies, Mr. Galaitsis, Mr. Harden, Mr. Kastorf, Ms.
Manz — it was voted to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation against the Town with town counsel
and to reconvene in open session after this discussion for the remainder of the agenda.
The Board returned to open session at 9 :00 p.m.
****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of October 6 and October 20,
2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the October 6 minutes as written and
the October 20 minutes as amended.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMIMSTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
31 and 33 Q
Aiy Avenue Sheldon Co oration Sketch Cluster Subdivision Plan : Mr. Todd Cataldo, the
applicant, and Mr. Michael Dryden of Meridian Associates, Inc. were present to show the Board a
conceptual sketch plan for a three -unit cluster subdivision at 31 and 33 Cary Avenue. Mr. Cataldo had
submitted three previous sketch plans for 31 and 35 Cary Avenue in February, March and June 2004. The
current plan proposes two four - bedroom houses, one with a two- bedroom accessory apartment, each with
a driveway onto Cary Avenue. The house nearest Cary would be placed much like the neighboring
houses relative to the street. As in the previous submittals the open space would be at the rear, providing a
buffer for the abutters there.
The Board indicated that it would prefer to see a cluster development that included the land at 35 Cary
Avenue, as had the previous sketch submissions. The Board said that it would consider a shared driveway
to avoid more curb cuts and that four units plus an accessory apartment was acceptable in general, with
the accessory unit to be maintained as a separate household unit. All agreed that the specimen tree on the
property at 35 Cary should be saved and protected. Mr. Galaitsis indicated that he opposes five units,
preferring to see two - family units or smaller, clustered dwellings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Map 5 Lot IIA Waltham Street Potential RO to CD Planned Commercial District Rezoning, Ernie
Rogers: Mr. Ernie Rogers, the proponent, and Mr. Edmund Grant, attorney, and Mr. Michael Dryden,
Meridian Associates, Inc., were present to introduce Mr. Rogers's conceptual plan for the rezoning of land
on Waltham Street at the town line. They are seeking guidance from the Board and other entities before
going forward. As there is a small amount of wetland on the site, they will appear before the Conservation
Commission next week.
Mr. Dryden explained the site development and use plan showing a three -story office building with a
bank on the ground floor, including a drive- through. The one curb cut is located as far north as possible,
away from the curb cuts for the Gravestar shopping center. A loop driveway would lead to a parking lot at
the rear and circulate around the building past the bank's drive through window and convenience parking
spaces at the front of the building then to the exit. Due to the slope of the site, at the rear of the parking lot
a retaining wall is proposed. There would be a six -foot barrier fence at the south lot line to separate the
Minutes for the Meeting of November 3, 2004 2
site from the Gravestar shopping center parking lot. Mr. Rogers indicated that he is working with the
Gravestar Company, Mr. James Freehling at Brookhaven, Waltham council members and Representative
Thomas Stanley on traffic /pedestrian issues. His goal is a quality project. Asked why he did not ask to
rezone to CLO- ---the property across the street is zoned CLO, local office district Mr. Grant responded
that the planned commercial district offers more flexibility.
Board Comments and Questions: The Board indicated general support for the concept —a commercial
use makes sense on that parcel.. It stressed the need to demonstrate that the proposed 45 foot high
building will be a benefit to the Town and to south Lexington in particular, including involving the South
Lexington Transportation Organization. At present the vacant parcel is benign in terms of impacts on the
area. The Board reinforced the importance of working out pedestrian traffic and safety issues before
coming to Town Meeting As the height of the proposed building will be controversial, the Board urged
Mr. Rogers to be sure his development data are accurate and that all drawings present a visually precise
representation of the project.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Consolidated Housing Plan Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that it would be necessary to hold public
hearings on the Consolidated Housing Plan recently completed by Planner Karen Sobol, a pre - requisite
for receiving federal funds. Ms. Manz suggested clarifying the income brackets, as the middle - income
issue is confusing. The Board members felt that the plan was ready to go to public hearing. It was agreed
to hold the hearings at a Lexington Housing Partnership meeting and at a Planning Board meeting, with a
public comment period between.
REPORTS
MarrettJSprin /g Bridge Mr. Harden reported that he and Ms. McCall - Taylor met with Acting Town
Manager Linda Vine, Selectman Dawn McKenna, and with Mr. Dean Curtain, who owns a substantial
amount of land abutting the intersection of Marrett Road, Spring Street and Bridge Street. The Board
continues its efforts to move forward with addressing improvements to the intersection. The Board had
proposed to the Selectmen that a portion of the funds committed by Patriot Partners for traffic mitigation
be used to hire a consultant to run a public process in hopes of reaching consensus on improvements to
the intersection. Ms. McKenna favors phasing the spending on a finite schedule, with checkpoints along
the way. The Board asked Ms. McCall- Taylor to re -draft the scope of services to reflect such a schedule.
2020 Economic Development Scoping Group Mr. Harden reported on the 2020 Vision Committee's fall
campaign. The economic development sub -group is looking to form a task force to study improvements
to the Center Business District. He asked the Board to consider ways this group could be usefully
engaged without duplicating efforts already underway with the Board's own initiatives with the Center
Committee. Ms. Manz pondered whether the 2020 sub -group should be merged with the Center
Committee.
Planning Director Search Committee Mr. Davies reported that several applications for the planning
director position have been submitted to the Town. Manager's office. The deadline to submit is Friday,
November 12.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m.
Wendy 2erk