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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-10-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 10, 2002 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the SeIectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Galaitsis with members Chase, Harden, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, Tap and Machek present. Mr. Davies was absent due to vacationing in Michigan. The Board welcomed new planning intern Elizabeth Curtis Machek. ****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 19, 2002. On the motion of Mr. Kastorf, seconded by Ms. Chase, it was voted unanimously 4 -0 to approve the minutes, as amended. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 47 -53 Pleasant Street Conventional Subdivision Sketch Plan, Gene Luonao, Presentation by the Applicant Present for this item were Mr. Eugene Luongo and Mrs. Jeanne Luongo, the applicants; Mr. Gary Larson, and Mr. Chris Bailey, landscape architects, Larson Associates, Inc; and Mr. Richard Waitt, Jr., engineer, Meridian Engineering, Inc. Mr. Larson presented a sketch plan for a 3.8 -acre property off Pleasant Street. The plan showed a 7 -lot conventional subdivision, with seven dwellings on a proposed cul de sac 340 feet in length. The individual lots very in size from 16,00 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Mr. Larson said there is sewer service to the site, where there are currently two houses, sheds and garages. He showed the Board photographs of the existing features and said that as much vegetation as possible will be retained. Questions from the Board Mr. Kastorf asked why they chose a conventional subdivision layout rather than cluster. Mr. Larson responded that return on investment and the character of the site were the primary consideration, citing slope conditions and saying that the 10.6 dwelling units based on cluster calculations were too much for the site. Mr. Kastorf suggested nine units, noting that they would be highly desirable at that location. Mr. Galaitsis asked what "return on investment" meant in this case as the property has been in the family for generations. He also asked if the development team had spoken with the staff about different possibilities for the site. He urged them to take advantage of their expertise. Mr. Garber added that he and Ms. McCall - Taylor had not had the opportunity to sit down with the applicants and are disappointed to see not even a trace paper sketch of a cluster layout. Ms. Chase commented on the importance of presenting alternatives that show some offering to the public interest, suggesting alternative housing types that a wider range of people e.g., someone like Mr. Luongo's grandfather, who purchased the land years ago, could afford. Mr. Kastorf noted that a cluster development is a little harder process, but ultimately worthwhile. Mr. Galaitsis urged the development team to be creative and consider other layouts. He said the Town has affordable housing obligations and this development should not worsen the town's percentage of affordable housing vis a vis the State's 10 percent requirement. Mr. Luongo responded said that he believes that the development as presented is appropriate and improves the area. It honors his grandfather's legacy. He said that cluster is not right for this property. Mr. Galaitsis urged the Luongos to come to speak to the staff along with their design team. A second sketch plan was urged by the members as the next step in the process. Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 2002 2 DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS Myrtle Street -- determination of adequacy of grade and construction Mr. Garber gave an oral review of a plan submitted by John A. Carney of Arlington, in connection with his request that the Board make a determination as to the adequacy of grade and construction of Myrtle Street, as it provides frontage for 27 Myrtle Street. The Town Engineer reports that the full range of utilities is available, drainage is fine and the street is in fine condition according to visual inspection. Mr. Garber said that the staff recommends approval of the request. On the motion of Mr. Kastorf, seconded by Ms. Chase, the Board voted unanimously that the portion of Myrtle Street providing frontage for # 27 is of adequate grade and construction. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Metropolitan State Hospital Site Reuse, Chapter 7, S. 40F'/2 Surplus Property Disposition Mr. Garber reported that Selectman Jeanne Krieger learned that DCAM will hold a public hearing on August 6 in connection with the Metropolitan State Hospital site. According to Mr. Michael Thomas, Project Manager at DCAM, it is a requisite second step in the process to declare Lot 3 "surplus property." Mr. Garber said that this proposed hearing has caused alarm among the Lexington and Waltham officials involved in the reuse of the site but Mr. Thomas reassured them that it is just a formality stipulated in Chapter 309, Acts of 1996, the enabling act for the Met State project. Mr. Kastorf said that if the chief administrator of the Middlesex County court system, who attended Lexington's Town Meeting this year, attends the August 6 hearing, he would represent a "serious player" who could affect the outcome of the hearing. Mr. Garber notcd that the Trapelo Road residents are also a force to be reckoned with. Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Element Update Mr. Garber reported that Vanasse, Hangen Brustlin (VHB), as low bidder, was awarded the contract for the transportation clement of the comprehensive plan. The contract documents are being prepared and staff will soon meet with the company's representatives to set a schedule for the work. He said that five members of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), a group of interested residents, have expressed interest in being involved in developing the transportation element. The staff and VHB people agreed that it is too early to involve public participants but will send them progress reports until after Labor Day. Mr. Howard Muise and Ms. Heidi Richards of VHB said that they would start producing data to work with in early August. Mr. Garber further reported that staff had mailed solicitations of interest in the transportation element to officers of companies in Lexington. Economic Development Officer Joseph Marino had made some recommendations as to whom letters should be sent. Mr. Kastorf wondered if the Chamber of Commerce should be approached. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Applications To Be Heard on July 11, 2002: Ms. Chase gave an oral review of the following applications. The Board had no comment on them. ® 7 Fairland Street — Variance to construct a driveway w. side setback of 3' rather than 5' 41 Williams Road — Variance from front yard setback to construct a new front entry with 24.4' setback • 28 Barberry Road — Variance from side yard setback to construct a garage with 4' setback • 31 Wachusett Drive — Variance from front and side yard setbacks to construct front porch with 27' Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 2002 setback and a bulkhead with side setback of 1.5' 31 -33 Cottage Street — Variance from 15' rear yard setback to extend a nonconforming I -story addition to the side and add a second level with the same 8.4' rear yard setback. The nonconforming 2- family dwelling will become a single - family dwelling. The Planning Board felt they were unable to evaluate the petition below, due to having insufficient material to review. 7 Meriam Street — Special Permit to operate a Mexican take -out food service The Board also discussed its concern that the Board of Appeals granted a variance to Walgreen's drugstore, 60 Bedford Street, for a drive - through window for prescriptions, at its hearing on June 27, 2002. The planning board is concerned about the fundamental legality of granting use variances, as well as the use of Lute 18.1. in. section 4 of the by -law (the "expressly permitted uses..." clausc) as the basis for granting that variance. The board reviewed a draft letter to the Board of Appeals, prepared by the staff, stating that they believe this is a legal problem and to respectfully ask the Board to consider amending the action they tools in granting a use variance to permit construction of a proposed drive - through pharmacy window. The members acknowledged their unfortunate prior "no comment" on this case, due to lack of preparation time and the very late hour when the subject arose. However, this circumstance does not alter the fundamental concerns. REPORTS Planning Board, Subcommittees Bicycle Advisory Committee Mr. Galaitsis asked if a Board member could attend an upcoming meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 2003 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Possible Zoning Amendments Mr. Galaitsis brought tip two issues that might be taken up at the 2003 Annual Town Meeting. Large house impact: Mr. Galaitsis said that he is slated to have lunch with two developers on this subject in the near future. Inclusionary housing requirement: The board agreed to discuss developing an effective tool for making sure that affordable housing becomes a component in future development, saying that each new development should not lower Lexington's percentage of affordable housing, as defined by the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Scottish Glen Subdivision In a brief discussion about Curran Construction's proposed cluster subdivision off Summer Street, the Board agreed that the applicant should subtract one unit, leaving five, and do some realistic figuring of the true drainage capacity of pervious paving materials. Mr. Kastorf suggested calling the State about the permeable paving used at Walden Pond. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pan. /arlKas /orf, erk