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Home My WebLink About2003-12-10-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 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 Harden with members Chase, Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Public Comment Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Eliot Road, were present to ask the Board to help them in their dispute with a neighbor who is excavating near an old tree of theirs. This issue will be before the Zoning Board of Appeals December 11. Mr. Harden explained that the Planning Board has only an advisory role in the Board of Appeals process but that they would mention the Harris' appearance before them tonight in their comment letter to that Board. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 2004 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Ran eway RD Rezoning Ms. Martha Wood was present to present a sketch plan of Lex1 AB's proposal to rezone a lot on Rangeway to an RD zone to allow the building of a two - family dwelling for use as affordable housing. The dwelling will look like a single- family house and will be the same plan that was used on Spencer Street. Ms. Woods reported that there has been support for the project in the neighborhood. The plan attempts to address drainage problems in the area. Mr. Davies commented that the swale as depicted was too regular and that he would prefer to see a more natural shape. In addition he would like the boundary between the LexHAB site and the Conservation land be defined. There was no one in the audience with any questions or comments on the proposal. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Porter Lane Subdivision The Windermere Grou Request for Final Release of Surety: Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that John Austin, president of the Windermere Group, developer, has asked for the final release of surety for the Porter Lane Subdivision off Adams Street. Mr. Austin submitted as -built plans and the Town Engineer informed staff that all of the work on the public facilities has been done. On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted to release the remaining surety ($33,359.00) and the covenant held against the completion of the Porter Lane Subdivision. Mr. Austin is going to ask the Selectmen to accept Porter Lane as a public way. Aaron Road Conventional Subdivision Release of Lot Ms McCall - Taylor reported that developer Mark Barons has asked the Board to release Lot One of the Aaron Road Subdivision. He has settled with Mr. Kocher by reimbursing him for the landscaping he did on his property, work that Mr. Barons was to have done. However, the as -built plans Mr. Barons submitted indicate that the electrical utility boxes are located within the sewer easement. After a brief discussion, on the motion of Ms. Chase, seconded by Mr. Kastorf, the Board voted unanimously not to release Lot One of the Aaron Road subdivision until the utilities are relocated satisfactorily. PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW Form A/2003 -$ Cqa Avenue Sheldon Co oration: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at 35 Cary Avenue. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Kastorf, the Board voted to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County) ", dated December 2, Minutes for the Meeting of December 10, 2003 2 2003, prepared by Meridian Associates, Inc., Danvers, MA, certified by Kevin Danahy, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/2003 -8, submitted by Thomas J. Cataldo, Sheldon Corporation, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 47 and 53 Pleasant Street Conventional Subdivision Luon o Farm Lane Definitive Plan PUBLIC HEARING Present for this item were Mr. Gary Larson and Mr. Chris Bailey, Larson Associates, landscape architects; Mr. Richard Waitt, Meridian Engineering, Inc., and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Luongo and their two children, applicants. There were 18 people in the audience. Mr. Larson briefly outlined the previous plan iterations of the seven -lot conventional subdivision and the efforts the Luongos have made to respond to the Board's requests for details, design changes and additions to the plan. He went over the site analysis plan and showed how the design responds to the topography and ground water levels. He showed elevation drawings of the proposed houses closest to the street and section drawings to indicate their character and how they would look from Pleasant Street, a point of high concern for the Board. The plan shows a 40 -foot wide buffer of trees and other plants along the front of the site. A waiver from the sidewalk requirement is sought. Board Questions and Comments: The Board indicated that the size of the homes, and their aspect from Pleasant Street, still concerns them greatly, despite the farmer's porches added to break up the apparent height of the houses on lots one and seven. Mr. Larson handed out some data on possible footprints and square footage. The two front houses' distance from the street did not please the board though Mr. Larson indicated that they were moved back farther in each submission. The thinning of existing vegetation along the front of the site also concerned the Board. Mr. Larson noted that more attractive plants would be added. Mr. Davies said that he would like to see a waiver request for a less than 24 -foot road width. Mr. Garber indicated that a width of 20 feet is acceptable for a minor street but he could not assure the Luongos that the Town would accept it as a public street at that width, as they wish. In response to Mr. Kastorf s question, Mr. Larson indicated that ownership of the southwest area that will be restricted for open space would be part of lots three and four and owned by the two homeowners. When asked about the homeowners agreement wording which only specified the areas as no- build, Mr. Larson said that the language should indicate that the areas will be kept in a natural state. Mr. Harden indicated that the demonstrated character of the future dwellings should be ensured by a provision in the special permit that would specify height, massing, etc. Audience Questions and Comments: Mr. Steve Kropper had a number of questions about groundwater and the drainage plan. Mr. Waitt explained that the regulations and the process he must follow when designing a drainage system use seasonal water measurements. A measurement on one dry day would not skew the results. Other questions from the audience had to do with the subdivision's impacts on neighborhood character and traffic, as well as who would build the houses after the subdivision plan is approved. Mr. Garber explained what the Subdivision Control Law is and does. Mrs. Morash, 41 Pleasant Street, asked for clarification of the Conservation Commission's role. Mr. Larson responded that the subdivision plan has no wetland issues but when the houses on the lots near protected land need a building permit, a Notice of Intent will have to be filed with the Conservation. Administrator to show that the construction will not negatively impact the wetland. Several abutters indicated they think the development will significantly degrade the character of the neighborhood. Minutes for the Meeting of December 10, 2003 Mr. Stan Edelson, who has rented one of the existing houses on the Luongo's land for many years, told the Board he does not kDOW where he will go when construction starts. He wondered if any provision could be made for him. Mr. Harden explained that the process does not address that type of situation. Mr. Kropper asked if a 300 -foot sight line on Pleasant Street when entering from the new street is assured by the plan_ Mr. Waitt said he would provide Iine -of- sight AASHTO data,at the continued hearing. A waiver from the sidewalk requirement is requested. Several abutters expressed their wish for sidewalk along the front of the development for safety's sake. The Board indicated that it believes a sidewalk along the new cul de sac would not be necessary but they would like to see one along Pleasant Street. Mr. Harden asked for a summary of the design intent for the future dwellings. The Board indicated that it wants to have more assurance that the character of the houses presented by the applicant is carried out when the houses are built. It also wants to be assured that the house Mr. Edelson lives in would be demolished last- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to continue the public hearing to Wednesday, January 7, 2004. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES Met State Hos Reuse Mr. Kastorf reported on a League of Women Voters meeting he recently attended at which Avalon Bay, the developer, presented its proposed residential community for the Met State site. IIe said that Avalon Bay faces a long, uphill battle to get Town Meeting approval of their plans. At the meeting it was clear that traffic issues and the impact on schools of additional school children likely to live there would be huge issues with Lexington residents. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to }ourn at 11:30 p.m. r Gw� John L. Davies, Clerk