HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-15-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2004
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Guard Room, Police Station, was called to
order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Harden, Manz and planning staff
McCall- Taylor and Tap present.
MINUTES
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the executive sessions of December 17, 2003,
July 28, September 21, and November 3, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
approve the minutes as written.
ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Rezone 1720 Massachusetts Avenue Battle Green Inn CB to CD: The proponents of the proposed
rezoning of 1720 Massachusetts Avenue were present to show the Board revised plans. The development
team has shown the proposal to other boards, committees and resident groups in recent weeks and the
current iteration reflects changes made in response to their comments.
Mr. Eric Shapiro described the differences in the proposal since the development team appeared before
the Planning Board on December 1. They had to do with the:
• Parking spaces: By changing the foundation on the Vine Brook Road side, three more spaces
could be created. However, the existing trees along the property line would be killed.
• Sizes of residential units: A wider range of sizes make them attainable by a greater variety of
income groups.
• Affordable units: Three units affordable to a moderate- income family would be included.
• Facade treatments: The proposed facades would be more harmonious with the existing
streetscape.
Design of the tower element: The tower element character would echo that of the adjacent
building section.
The Board remarked on the improvement in presentation materials, especially relative to the perceived
height of the structure. Suggestions included:
• On the side facing Vine Brook Road, interweave the ground -level terraces with existing mature
trees so that the trees might be saved;
• That same side of the building needs to be stepped back or otherwise reduced in height —
eliminating one story would be desirable— to alleviate its visual impact on abutters and to reduce
other impacts, such as traffic.
• The fourth floor would not be seen from most street -level standpoints.
• The team should refer to AvalonBay's methodology relative to the potential number of school -age
children, as town meeting members are familiar with it.
• Traffic would be a major issue, especially during demolition and construction. Demonstrate how
this would be alleviated.
There were a number of comments from the audience of eighteen people.
Mr. Eric Zanin, 72 Waltham Street - A new benchmark of impacts would be set by this project. A 3 -D
model is needed to clearly illustrate the new building's size and appearance.
Mr. Gerald Guttell, 16 Vine Brook - Vine Brook residents would not miss the current building, but please
step back the proposed third story and put in more plantings.
Mr. Karsten Sorensen, I Vine Brook - The developer should be bound by the same rules residents must
abide by and not allowed to exceed zoning provisions.
Mr. Julian Bussgang, 2 Forest Street - Development data should be presented in two easily compared
columns of figures - existing and proposed.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 15, 2004 2
Mr. Richard Canale, 29 Shade Street — Based on his experience as the town's MAPC representative he
felt that the proposal was in line with Smart Growth principles but needs to be part of a vision for the
Center. Mixed use is being embraced in many municipalities. Defeat of this proposal would set an
unfortunate precedent for future change in the center.
Mr. Arthur Katz, 18 Barberry — Mixed use is the way to go and we should find a way to keep mixed use
alive.
Board members reiterated their concern about the height and massing of the building. They thanked the
proponents for their flexibility thus far and urged them to move ahead in the same spirit.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDWISION OF LAND
Piper Rid Cluster Sketch Subdivision Plans Homes Development Co oration Joseph Marino:
Attending to present plans for a Local Initiative Program proposal for affordable housing units on land in
south Lexington bounded by Waltham Street, Piper Road and Route 2, were Mr. John Esserian and Mr.
Joseph Marino of Homes Development Corporation, of Burlington. The Selectmen had asked the
Planning Board to evaluate the proposal using its permitting process and to advise the Selectmen as to its
appropriateness and worth to the town.
The proposal shows eight dwelling units in three buildings: two attached single - family dwellings, and a
four -unit townhouse. The developer has had a meeting with abutters and other community members,
including the Housing Partnership Board. Soil tests showed adequate percolation for a septic system. The
Selectmen expressed their strong preference for connecting the units to town sewer, 650 feet away in
Waltham Street, but this would necessitate blasting, which Mr. Esserian would like to avoid. The units
would be right for a variety of household sizes and six would be priced at about $600,000. Two would be
affordable.
Board member comments had to do with highway noise levels, the inadequate roadway turnaround, the
potential for personal health and traffic safety issues, and the effects of any blasting work. They saw the
number of units as creating serious site layout problems and asked the developer to consider fewer.
Homes attainable to first -time buyers would be an important public benefit. A sewer connection is most
desirable.
Mr. Kastorf summarized a letter from LexHAB chair Marshall Derby expressing the Housing Assistance
Board's reaction to the proposal, saying that it did not find the offer of two affordable ownership units to
be outstandingly generous, preferring rental in perpetuity and that a development of this size should not
be on a septic system.
Mr. Robert Lusier, 1 Piper Road, expressed his strong opposition to the plan, especially the potential for
blasting damage. He fears that he would lose his artesian well and that his home's foundation would be
cracked.
Mr. Richard Canale, Shade Street, suggested getting an independent review of noise measurements as a
health precaution.
A majority of the Board agreed that the applicant could move to the preliminary plan stage, as more
details about the sewer system, roadway design and noise abatement measures would be included.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 15, 2004 3
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Center Parking Amendment Ms. Manz reported that she is trying to gather more information about other
towns' parking bylaws. She and most of the Center Committee members are uncertain of the impact of the
current regulations on existing businesses and feel that the market determines viable uses for the center.
Accessor y Apartments Amendment The Board reviewed a draft of the proposed amendments to the
Accessory Apartment provisions, dated December 10, 2004 and asked staff to bring a final draft to next
week's meeting.
****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REPORTS
TDM Funds, Patriot Partners Donations Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that Mr. Joseph Zink of Patriot
Partners will be presenting to Gail Wagner, the town's Transportation Coordinator, a check for $43,000
this week. It is the first installment of the monies the company pledged to the Town for transportation
demand management in connection with the rezoning of land on Spring Street, now the site of Lexington
Technology Park.
58 Colony Road Sketch Subdivision. Plan Homes Development, Co .: Ms. McCall- Taylor indicated that
Homes Development Corp. would present a sketch subdivision plan for land at 58 Colony Road to the
Board at the December 22, 2004 meeting.
Planning Director Search Mr. Davies reported that a date needs to be agreed upon for interviews of the
four finalists in the search for a Planning Director. The names are confidential until January 1, 2005,
January 5, 2005 was tentatively agreed upon for the interviews.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** EXECUTIVE SESSION x * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
At 11:20 p.m., by individual poll of the Board — Mr. Galaitsis, Mr. Harden, Ms. Manz, Mr. Davies, Mr.
Kastorf — it was voted unanimously to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation against the Town
and not to return to open session.
Wendy Manz, Clerk