HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-29-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 29, 2003
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was
called to order at 7:35 p.m, by Acting Chairman Harden with members Davies, Kastorf and planning staff
Garber, McCall- Taylor, and Tap present. Ms. Chase was absent. Mr. Galaitsis arrived at 7:50 p.m., just as
the Rangeway information meeting began.
MINUTES*** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of December 4 and
18, 2002. On the motion of Mr. Kastorf, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously to approve
the minutes, as amended.
REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Met State Hospital Reuse Ms. McCall - Taylor that the Met State Task Force met to review five proposals
that were submitted by developers responding to the State Department of Capital Asset Management's
(DCAM) Request for Proposals for the developable portion of the site, which is in Lexington. The task
force will review plans and interview the developers over the next six weeks.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Zoning Reform Mr. Garber reported that the Zoning Reform bill would be the subject of a public hearing
in March 2003. He suggested that Planning Board members attend, if possible, as a show of force will be
important to the bill's survival.
Code of Lexington, Zoning Bylaw and Development Regulations: Ms. McCall- Taylor gave Board
members notebooks containing the newly codified Zoning Bylaw and Development Regulations.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Rangeway Road Preliminary Subdivision. Plan, Mr. James Ram, Public Information Meeting
Present for this item were Mr. James Raymond, the applicant, Ms. Doris Duff, owner of the parcel and
Mr. Fred Russell, designing engineer. Mr. Russell presented a preliminary subdivision plan showing the
improvement of a portion of Rangeway at the end of the improved part of the road and a proposed single -
family house. He said the plan responds to comments made by Board members on the site walk on
December 7, 2002, and to those of Assistant Fire Chief William Middlemiss. He explained that the
drainage system would take care of all storm water runoff added by the project. He will file for an Order
of Conditions from the Conservation Commission.
Planning Board Comments and Questions: In response to several questions, Mr. Russell responded that
there is water and sewer service in Rangeway that they will extend and they will pave 120 feet of
roadway, reducing the slope from 5% to a 4% slope.
Ms. McCall - Taylor reported the various concerns of the Development Review Team, a newly formed
group comprised of town staff, including representatives of the planning, fire, engineering and
conservation departments. Placement of the turnaround, drainage and conservation land issues were
among those concerns. Referring to staff s chart listing other projects with similar roadway problems, the
Board agreed they would like to hear from Town Counsel on the turnaround issue and want final word .
from the Fire Department on its preferences. They also agreed that an 18 —not 16 —foot road width would
be best in this case.
Minutes for the Meeting of January 29, 2003 2
Audience Comments and Questions Abutters raised questions about the utilities (they will be
underground), whether blasting will be necessary (unknown at this point), and whether or not the
driveway could be put on the other side of the lot, away from Drummer Boy Condominiums. it was
pointed out that Drummer :Boy already has a 50 -foot buffer, unlike Mr. Schick's property on the other
side of Mr. Raymond's parcel.
Mr. Kastorf noted that comments from abutters who were on the site walk indicated that they do not favor
a substantial upgrade of Rangeway. It was agreed to wait until Town Counsel's opinion is received before
going to the definitive stage. Mr. Russell said he would probably make concurrent filings to the Planning
Board and Conservation Commission,
ARTICLES FOR 2003 TOWN MEETING
Ledgemont 3, The Beal Companies (Seal , Rezoning from CRO to CD, Planned Commercial District
Mr. Peter Nichols, of Beal, the applicant, introduced the development team: Mr. Gary Larson, landscape
architect, Larson and Associates; Mr. Joseph Gloski, architect, Jung/Brannen, Inc.; Mr. Charles
Kalauskas, Mr_ William Peach and Mr. Roger Corbin, engineers, BSC, Inc.; Mr. John Farrington and Mr.
Brian Patton, attorneys.
Mr. Nichols gave an overview of Beal's petition to seek a rezoning so it can construct a third commercial
building and a parking structure on its land at the corner of Spring Street and Hayden Avenue. He said
Beal is asking for relief on only two issues: floor area ratio and reduced setbacks on the internal lot. Two
parcels would be combined
Site Plan Mr. Larson described the site, presenting an aerial photo of the entire area, and a proposed
circulation diagram and a landscape plan. Diseased trees removed by the town recently would be replaced
and the site would retain its attractive appearance.
Architecture Mr. Gloski showed elevation drawings of the proposed structures, which include a
pedestrian bridge with .handicap amenities. He described a roof screen that will disguise mechanical
equipment.
Traffic Mr. Kalauskas described the process and the results of his company's traffic studies for this
proposal, especially at troublesome intersections. Journey to work data were shown, revealing commuting
patterns that will likely remain the same in the foreseeable future. There will be an increase in the number
of vehicle trips in and out of the site, of course. He outlined possible improvements to intersections with
the lowest level of service, including additional signs, geometric changes, and signalization. The Beal
Companies offers to designate an onsite full -tithe transportation coordinator to facilitate ride- sharing,
ride - matching programs. Preferential parking for non - single- occupant vehicles (SOV) drivers, shuttle
buses and an on -site cafeteria were also suggested remedies. Mr. Nichols added that they would endeavor
to tailor the programs to suit the tenants' employees.
Fiscal Impacts The new building would add $25 million in value to Lexington commercial tax base,
producing approximately $563,000 per year in tax revenue, according to Mr. Nichols. Few town services
will be needed and construction fees would also go to the town.
Board Comments and Questions The number of new parking spaces proposed concerned Board members
as did the fact that Raytheon sold its property right across Spring Street from Ledgemont. The new
owners could expand on that site by right and really change the dynamic in that area.
Minutes for the Meeting of January 29, 2003
Audience Comments and Qu estions: Ms. Dawn McKenna, Selectman, expressed concern about a change
in the FAR. Calling the site a good transition area into the town, she said she would not like to have that
changed by the placement of a large new building on the high point of the site. Mr. Nichols assured her
that the Richards House on site would remain, calling it the seed of the Ledgemont complex. Ms.
McKenna also spoke in favor of employees from Ledgemont coming into Lexington Center at lunchtime,
and suggested that another Hayden Street entrance be made into the site.
Mr. Jerry Van Hook, Chairman of the Bicycle Advisory Committee spoke in favor of signalization at
Spring and Marrett for the safety of children on their way to school. He advocated for biking to work and
making sure there were bike racks and showers available to those who do.
Mr. Richard Canale, 29 Shade Street, asked if an increase in density at the two sites (Ledgemont and
Raytheon) agrees with the conclusions in the recently completed comprehensive plan. He asked the
Planning Board to give Town Meeting a good analysis on which to base their decision by showing the
impacts of a .35 FAR. He also noted a basic tenet of the 2020 Vision committee, "Better Not Bigger ", and
Governor Mitt Romney's anti -auto- related development stance.
Mr. Kalauskas said that the trip generation. figures they used were conservative, assuming 75% office,
25% research and development uses.
REPORTS
2020 Vision Committee Mr. Harden reported that the 2020 Vision group is doing a town -wide survey of
residents. Its goal is to update progress made toward addressing 27 Goals set forth in a "Status Report on
Planning Process ", prepared in January 2001. He said the group's work complements that of the Planning
Board by providing a larger focus.
On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn. at 10:35 p.m.
Karl P. Kastorf, Clerk