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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-08-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2003 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Galaitsis with members, Chase, Davies, Harden, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall- Taylor, and Tap present. M WTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 14, 2002. On the motion of Ms. Chase, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously 5 -0 to approve the minutes, as written. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Bird Hill Road Subdivision Plan, Seaver Construction Co., Release of Covenant Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that Mr. Scott Seaver has requested the Board to release the covenant for the Bird Hill Subdivision. The Town Engineer had been out to the site and found the work adequate. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Chase, the Board voted unanimously to release the covenant dated November 7, 2001 and to release the three lots of the Bird Hill Road Subdivision. DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS Bartlett Avenue Street Construction Plan, Determination of Adeauacv of Grade and Construction: Mr. Athan Vontzalides, attorney, spoke for the owners of a lot at the end of Bartlett Avenue. They would like to build a house on the land, which is on an unaccepted portion of Bartlett Avenue. Although they have submitted plans showing an extension of the road with a turnaround and believe that the improvements they would make to the end of Bartlett Avenue would improve conditions for the other residents who live there by providing a turnaround for public safety vehicles, they believe the existing roadway is adequate to provide frontage for the building lot. They are willing to construct the road for whatever distance the Planning Board would like. They obtained a zoning determination that the lot is a pre - existing non- conforming lot and therefore buildable. Utilities already exist in the street. The Board discussed their concern that allowing a turnaround by means of an easement would set a bad precedent, but they had greater concerns about approving an extension of a road that already exceeds the 650 -foot limit on the length of a dead -end street. Mr. Jalbert, the applicant's surveyor, commented that a turnaround on an easement would eat up a large part of the buildable portion of the lot. Mr. Kastorf said that research by the staff showed consistency of action in similar cases with the decisions crafted so that all interests were protected. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Harden, the Board voted unanimously, 5 -0, to accept the existing 40 -foot stub end of Bartlett Avenue as presently of adequate grade and construction to provide legal frontage to lot 43, Assessors Map 29 on Bartlett Avenue. The Board further stated that this determination was only for access to a single- family house on. the one grandfathered lot in question and that no further subdivision of the lot would be permitted. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2003 TOWN MEETING Proposed Zoning Amendments, Schedule of Public Hearings The Board agreed to the following dates and times for public hearings on the four proposed zoning amendments: February 12, 2003 ■ Ledgemont Rezoning, CRO to CD, Citizens Petition — 7:45 p.m. February 26, 2003 ■ ITE manual reference, Planning Board petition — 7:45 p.m. ■ Add banks by special permit to CS zone, Citizens Petition — 8:00 p.m. Minutes for the Meeting of January 9, 2003 ® Political Signs, Citizens Petition 8:15 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Applications To Be Heard on January 9,2003: Mr. Davies gave an oral review of the following applications: 0 29 Wachusett Drive —special permit to construct shed dormer above non - conforming portion of dwelling 0 2 Lexington Avenue — special permit to construct an addition above nonconforming portion of dwelling and variance from f •ont yard setback to construct new front entry The Board had no comment on these applications. The Board agreed that they defer to the recommendations of the Design Advisory Committee on the following applications: 0 29 Hartwell Avenue — special permit to erect two new standing signs 0 475 Bedford Street — Boston Sports Club- special permit to erect an externally illuminated, double -face monument -style sign 0 33 Marrett Road - National Heritage Museum — special permit to install new signage (continued from 12112102) The Board discussed the following application that had been continued from the November 14, 2002 hearing: o 6 Abernathy Road —variance from site coverage requirements to allow application for special permit to convert a single- family dwelling into a dwelling containing two dwelling units. A majority of the Planning Board found the revised design acceptable and agreed to withdraw their earlier objections. PLANNING DIRECTORS REPORT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Zoning Reform Mr. Garber reported on the work of the Zoning Reform Working Group. The bill the group crafted, which proposes many changes to the State Zoning Act, has been filed in the legislature and a number of state representatives and senators have expressed support, Proponents are launching a public information campaign to combat the expected opposition. He said that this is the farthest point that such a reform has ever reached and urged the Board to offer its support, as the current home rule system in Massachusetts hobbles planning efforts. FY04 Budget Mr. Garber updated the Board on fiscal year 2004 budget preparation woes. The budget cuts mean loss of professional capacity, which will hurt the planuing department's support of important issues, housing in particular. The planning department acts as a quasi- .housing agency in some respects, he said. Executive Order 418 Grant Mr. Garber reported that the staff is waiting for word from the state Department of Housing and Community Development that they can proceed with hiring a consultant with the equivalency grant money. He said that staff would be asking the Board for guidance on the work to be done. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Met State Hospital Reuse Ms. McCall- Taylor reported that beginning January 21, 2003, the Lexington Met State Task Force will begin reviewing proposals for the development of the Lexington portion of the Met State Hospital land. DCAM has said the meetings will be closed. Mr. Kastorf, Ms. Natalie Riffm, Minutes for the Meeting of January 8, 2003 Ms. Jeanne Krieger, Mr. David Williams and Ms. Joyce Miller will be the reviewers. She said that in the end the selected developer will have to deal with. Lexington's Town Meeting, giving Lexington a powerful negotiating position. Mr. Kastorf commented that density would be a contentious issue as would the inclusion of rental units. All agreed that the affordable units component of the Met State development will be a crucial component in fulfilling Lexington's ten percent as required by DHCD's inventory of affordable housing REPORTS Board of Appeals Meeting Mr. Davies asked his fellow members if they think it is important for one of them to attend Board of Appeals meetings. After a brief discussion, it was agreed not to attend the meetings regularly, On. a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. l arl P. Kastorf, Clerk.