HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-14-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING; OF MAY 14, 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 Chairman Oalaitsis with members Chase, Davies, Harden, Kastorf and
planning staff Garber, McCall- Taylor, and Tap present.
MINUTES
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of March 19, April
28 and 30, 2003. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Kastorf, it was voted 5 -0 to approve the
minutes, as amended.
ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Olde Smith Farrn, Public Hearing on Minor Amendment to Definitive Subdivision Plan Mr. Robert
Ward, Stabile Houses, Mr. Fred Russell, engineer and Mr. Alan Wrigley, attorney, were present. Stabile
Homes is asking the Board to approve the modification of an interior lot line so that it lines up with a
common wall in the Olde Smith Farm cluster subdivision, off Wood Street.
Olde Smith Farm, Minor Modification of Special Permit with Site Plan Review A minor modification of
the SPS for Olde Smith Farm is requested so that the SPS will reflect the change in two lot areas resulting
from the change in Jot line. Lot 12 will decrease from 7,068 s. f. to 6,362 s.f. and Lot 13 will increase
from 7,574 s. £ to 8,281 s. f
On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Chase, the Board voted 5 -0 to approve the change in the
interior lot line. On the motion of Mr. Harden, seconded by Ms. Chase, the Board voted 5 -0 to approve
the minor modification to the SPS.
40 Middift Road Reduced Frontage Sketch Plan, Davis: Mr, Fred Davis, Mrs. Jane Davis, 40 Middleby
Road, applicants, and Mr. Fred Russell, designing engineer, were present for this item. Mr. Russell.
presented a plan for a reduced frontage subdivision off Middleby Road. It showed the subdivision of the
land into two lots, one of which has the existing house on it, and a second lot on a common driveway with
a proposed new house. The plan with the common driveway was designed so as to minimize disruption to
existing vegetation. Mr. Russell also presented a plan showing two houses on a proposed new roadway.
The property is near Lincoln Field, a bike path and the Bridge School athletic field. There is water and
sewer service in Middleby Road. Mr. Russell calculated the public benefit value to be approximately
$45,000 as the cost to construct a new road in a conventional subdivision on the site would be around
$82,000.
Mr. Kastorf suggested including an accessory apartment in the new house, as alternatives to single - family
dwellings are needed in Lexington. Mr. Davis said that their current house has an accessory apartment so
they are open to the idea. Board members agreed that the new house should be modest in size. Ms. Chase
felt that it would be preferable to have the driveway moved to the other side. There was a stockade fence
there and she felt that the pines on that side would not be missed
The Board was favorably impressed with the plan and agreed that a reduced frontage layout made sense
for the site. Board members will walk the site individually before issuing; their letter on the sketch plan..
Minutes for the Meeting of May 1. 4, 2003 2
REPORTS
141 Spring Street fformer RaLtheon site Mr. Garber reported that Patriot Partners, owners of the former
.Raytheon property at 141 Spring Street, may petition for a fall Town Meeting to request the rezoning of a
portion of the site from RO, Single- Family Dwelling, to CRO, Regional Office. An increase in the F AR
will likely not be requested.
Pleasant Street Subdivision Luon o: A preliminary plan for the conventional subdivision proposed by
Gene Luongo on his land at 47 -53 Pleasant Street was submitted on May 7.
Executive Order 418 Grant Mr. Garber reported that the Town's application for a grant to carry out
comprehensive planning activities was approved by the State. Consultant Rick Taintor will do the work.
Philip B. :Herr and Associates still has some money left in its contract to accomplish more housing
element implementation tasks for the Board
AFFORDABLE HOUSING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
League of Women Voters .LWV Housin Meetin : Mr. Harden and .Mr. Galaitsis attended a League of
Women Voters meeting on housing at which .Ms. McCall - Taylor presented some affordable Dousing data.
A number of realtors and builders were there as well.
Housing „Dialogue The Board discussed their upcoming Housing Dialogue on May 29, to which a range
of organizations and churches has been invited. It is hoped that attendees will coalesce into a task force
with the will to work for more diverse housing in. Lexington.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Applications To Be Heard on May 22 2003 Mr. Kastorf gave an oral review of the following
applications:
® 67 Fottler Avenue — Variance from 2.5 story height limit to construct additions to single family
dwelling
38 Ivan Street — Special Permit to construct a second floor addition above non - conforming
portion of an existing single - family dwelling
31 Justin Street Variance from front and side setbacks to construct front entry and add a
chimney
The Board had no comment on these applications.
The Board agreed to defer to the opinion of the Design Advisory Committee on the following
applications:
* 60 Westview Street - Special Permit for standing sign
* 29 Hartwell Avenue — Variance to construct a driveway, and modification of a Special Permit to
install a driveway between tbis property and 35 Hartwell Avenue
* 35 Hartwell Avenue — Variance to construct a driveway, and modification of a Special Permit to
upgrade a parking lot and install .ramps, stairs and canopies at building entrances and a Special.
Permit to erect at standing sign
* 8B Camellia Place — Special Permit to install a projecting sign
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Meeting Schedule for June The Board set meetings for June 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Minutes for the Meeting of May 14, 2003 3
* * * * * * * * * * * * **
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 2003
201 Bedford Street Mr. Darden observed that he did not present the Planning. Board's statement on the
Use of the town property at 201 Bedford Street at the last night of Town Meeting because of events that
night that changed the motion so the action that the Board would have recommended would no longer
speak to the motion. This was the agreed to course of action after a quick polling of the Planning Board
members on the floor of Town Meeting. The Board recognized that it should stay aware of plans for the
property but was concerned about being involved in the selection of a developer for a site on which they
would be acting in a regulatory capacity.
REGIONAL.,, INTERTOWN ISSUES
Metropolitan State Hospital Reuse Relative to a letter Board members received from MassHousing about
developing the Met State hospital site, Mr. Kastorf said that MassHousing was eliminated from
consideration for developing the site, as its proposal did not qualify. They seem to be trying to insert
themselves into the process again.
On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 10:00 p.m.
/astorf, IK.arl P. Cler