HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-05-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2001
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building, was
called to order at T35 p.m. by Chairman Galaitsis with members Davies, Harden, Planning Director
Garber, and Assistant Plarmer McCall- Taylor present. Ms. Bridge- Denzalc and Ms. Chase were absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Community Preservation Act, Mr. Steven Colman Mr. Steven Colman, chairman of the Community
Preservation Act Study Committee, reported that the group has met five times but has not reached
consensus on whether the Town should adopt the Community Preservation Act. He said that the program
must be adopted for a minimum of five years and ten percent of the money must go to affordable housing,
historic preservation and open space acquisition. The committee did ask the Town Comptroller how much
revenue it would mean for the Town if the Town adopted the measure in the first year or two. That figure
came out to roughly $1.2 million. Mr. Colman said the amount each town receives decreases as more
communities join the program.
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Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of July 11, 2001. On
the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr_ Harden, it was voted unanimously 3--0 to approve the minutes,
as amended.
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of July 18, 2001. On the motion of Mr. Davies,
seconded by Mr. Harden it was voted unanimously 3 -0 to approve the minutes, as written_
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRE, ECT'OR`S REPORT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Articles for 2002 Town Meeting Mr. Garber urged the Board to decide which of a number of possible
proposed amendments to the Zoning By -Law they wish to take to Town Meeting next year_ He will
provide another copy of a memo outlining possible amendments
Metropolitan State Hosp ital Reus Mr. Garber reported that the staff has received a set of definitive plans
from the Department of Capital Asset Management for the Met State Hospital property. Also, the
Lexington Met State Task Force will be meeting and a consultant, Mr. Ed Marchant, will present some
possible uses for the Lexington portion of the site. Mr. Garber said this will be a test of the town's
political will to make land use decisions about the site and the structures on it. The coming week will be
critical.
Cluster Subdivision Guidelines The Board briefly discussed their desire to revise their cluster
development guidelines. There are a number of items In it that are rather counter productive, particularly
the impervious surface requirement. It causes developers to "hit the wall" too soon_ It could cause a
developer to choose to do a conventional subdivision with a "lollypop" street and turnaround_
* * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
_M arvin S Definitive Conventional Subdivision Plan, Steven Hamilton, Public H Mr_ Galaitsis
opened the hearing at 7 :45. Present for this item were Mr_ Steven Hamilton, Cornerstone Concepts, Inc.,
the applicant, and Mr_ Frederick Russell, engineer. There were 9 people in the audience. Mr. Hamilton
gave an overview of the definitive plan for property on Marvin Street. It proposed two houses opposite
each other at the end of Marvin Street_ He said that after working with the neighbors, and taking previous
Planning Board comments into account, the final plan is for two homes on four of the five original lots
Involved in this project_ One lot will be donated to the town as open space. He described the landscape
Minutes for the Meeting of September 5, 2001
plan and said that the existing trees along Winter Street will remain. He will plant a large evergreen tree
to shield the Shapiro's lot.
Questions from the Board were about street lighting (Mr. Hamilton will install wiring so the neighbors
can decide about adding a light fixture at a later time); underground utilities (they will be buried); and a
No Parking sign (there will be none).
Mr. Hamilton thanked the Board for helping him to arrive at this design solution. He expressed his
pleasure that his project makes a good transition between the existing houses and the park Mr_ Galaitsis
closed the hearing at 8:20 p.m.
The Board reviewed and amended the draft decision, prepared by the staff. After further discussion, on
the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Harden, the Board voted unanimously 3-0 to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan entitled Marvin Street Definitive Subdivision Plan.in
Lexington, MA, originally dated June 25, 2001; prepared and variously stamped by Richard M.
Lakutis, Land tech Associates of Lexington, MA; Frederick W. Russell, PE of Wilmington, MA;
and, James R. Keenan, PLS of Winchester, MA.
2) approve the certificate of action, dated September 5, 2001, as amended;
2
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Planning Board Committee Liaisons:
Historical Commission Mr. Davies reported that he went to the Old Smith Farm subdivision site and met
with a representative of the developer, Stabile Companies, and Mr. David Kelland, Chairman of the
Historical Commission. The subject of the meeting was Stabile's proposed work on the historic
Schumacher Farm barn, the condition of which has deteriorated in recent years. It was Mr. Davies opinion
that the work, though it requires nearly a rebuilding of the structure, should be allowed to proceed_ The
Board concurred.
Mr. Galaitsis noted that, in the future, the Planning Board must be proactive early on in subdivisions that
incorporate historically significant structures so that they are treated in the best way.
On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m_
Sara B. Chase, Clerk