HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-22-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 22, 2004
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Vice Chairman Harden with members Davies, Galaitsis,
Manz and planning staff McCall- Taylor present. Mr. Kastorf joined the meeting a few minutes after it
started but Mr. Harden continued to chair the meeting for the evening.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
58 Colony Road Sketch Plan - Mr. Joe Marino, Mr. John Esserian, Mr. Gary Larson and Ms. Linda
Barnes were present as the development team for 58 Colony Road. Mr. Larson gave an overview of the
site. It is a two and three - quarters acre site in an RO zone with Fiske Common to the north. The existing
house is located near the street with a setback similar to the other houses along the street. Much of the
level lot is secondary growth. Mr. Larson explained how they had looked at a variety of options for the
site, both conventional and cluster, and had decided upon a four -unit cluster concept with individual units
toward the back of the site and heavy planting toward the street. He said that a sidewalk and a path to the
Fiske school property would provide improved pedestrian circulation.
Mr. Davies asked about the nature of the wooded area depicted on the plans. Mr. Larson said that it was
not large trees, that he would want to do some clearing out and then do underplanting of rhododendrons to
screen at eye level. Mr. Galaitsis said he was concerned about then many and long driveways and
suggested connecting at least two units and pulling them in. There was some discussion about the size of
the units and whether any were small enough to be "attainable" or affordable to first time homebuyers.
Mr. Harden commented that he did not see the use of a cluster here. It is a flat site and he questioned why
it would be better developed with four cluster units rather than three conventional units. He said with
three units there would still be a special permit with site plan review process that would allow the
Planning Board to look at site issues. There was discussion of the context of this development and
whether single or multi- family was more appropriate for the site. Mr. Marino felt that it was more a part
of Meriam Hill than the abutting Fiske Common and therefore the size the units was not pushing the
envelope. After further discussion, the consensus of the Board was that if all of the units were going to be
detached single- family units it should be a conventional subdivision. Mr. Davies said that he was troubled
by the common open space as a strip along the back. Mr. Galaitsis added that all of the buffer is on
someone else's land. Mr. Davies said his thought was if the development was going to be big houses, the
fewer the better. Mr. Kastorf agreed and said it should be a conventional subdivision if it is large units.
Mr. Larson asked if he could file a definitive plan next and the board members said they would prefer a
preliminary plan so they could see the details of the footpath and the open area. If Mr. Esserian should
decide to do smaller attached units he should submit another sketch plan.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** INTERBOARD COOPERATION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
The next Planning Board meeting will include a session with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the
Selectmen's goals.
***** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of December 1, 2004.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Accessory Apartment_ Bylaw_ - The Board reviewed the latest draft of the accessory apartment bylaw.
After considerable discussion they decided they wanted Larger Apartments to require a special permit and
owner occupancy. The staff will redraft the bylaw accordingly for submission prior to the close of the
warrant.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 22, 2004 2
Center Parking — Ms. Manz reported that two members of the Center Committee are doing a survey of the
square footage, number of seats, parking requirements, etc. for the center businesses. She distributed the
initial results. Mr. Eric Michelson was there to report on owners' issues. He said that there might be
some support for the change in parking requirements if certain trade -offs occurred. He said merchants
would like to limit certain uses in the center such as realtors and banks as well as see some expanded
long -term permit parking. He suggested that some spaces in the Town Office Building lot could be
designated for use by the post office workers and parking for permit holders on residential streets could
be created. Board members discussed the issue of employee parking. Mr. Kastorf said that the warrant
article would go forward as proposed but that the community needs to continue the discussion, even after
Town Meeting.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Battle Green Inn Rezoning - Ms. McCall - Taylor reported on her meeting with the Battle Green Inn
development team saying that they were still working on the proposal. The fourth floor would probably
be removed but will appear on the plans submitted for the warrant as they wanted to retain maximum
flexibility in negotiations with the different Town bodies. Eventually there would have to be a balance of
mitigations and the ability to fund them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** TRAFFIC MITIGATION IMPLEMENTATION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Marrett /SpringBridge - The Board of Selectmen had notified the Planning Board that the $21,600 of the
transportation demand mitigation money from Patriot Partners was authorized for the first phase of the
Marrett Road/Spring Street project. Mr. Kastorf and Ms. McCall - Taylor will meet next week to begin the
RFP process.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 p.m.
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