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Home My WebLink About2001-11-01-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF NOVEMBER 1, 2001 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 Galaitsis with members, Chase, Davies, Harden, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, Tap and Tyson present_ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes of the meetings of May 2 and 21, August 29 and September 5 and 12, 2001. On the motion of Mr. Kastorff, seconded by Ms. Chase, it was voted unanimously 5 -0 to approve the minutes, as amended_ * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OP LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Bird Hill Road Extension, Definitive Subdivision Plan, Scott Seave Endorse Plans Ms. McCall- Taylor informed the Board that the Town Clerk certified that no appeals were filed against the Bird Hill Road Subdivision plan within the 20 -day appeal period since Planning Board approval on September 12, 2001. The Board endorsed the plans. DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 17 Tower Road Definitive Street Improvement Plan, Kevin McIver, Public Information Meeting Present for this item was Mr_ John Noonan, engineer, of Noonan and McDowell. There were eight people in the audience. Mr. Noonan presented a definitive street improvement plan for a portion of Tower Road that provides frontage for # 17. He described the current condition of, and past work on, the road. Mr. Davies asked if the work would improve storm water run off for # 14 Tower Road_ Mr, Noonan replied that it won't improve it but won't worsen it either. In response to Mr. Harden, Mr_ Noonan said that Cape. Cod berms would be installed. Mr. Galaitsis asked if the drainage on Plainfield Street would improve_ Mr. Noonan answered yes_ He continued, saying the road will be reshaped and regraded but will still have a gravel surface_ He remarked that he does not think it fair for the owner of the house to be built to be responsible for maintaining the drainage system_ (The Town does not maintain drainage systems on private property_) Ms. Chase asked if blasting would be necessary_ Mr. Noonan replied that it might be. Mr. Edmund Grant attorney, and Mr. Kevin McIver, the applicant, arrived at 8:10 p_m .. Mr. Grant stated that the Town Engineering Division and the Fire Chief had signed off on the plans. Mr. Kenneth Kreutziger, 14 Tower Road, described his run -off problems in detail and asked if Mn McIver's work will correct them_ Ms_ McCall- Taylor commented that the developer is not obligated to correct existing problems outside of his scope of work. In response to Mr. Harden's question, Ms. McCall - Taylor said that granite curbing is required. The plans show Cape Cod berms. Mr. Robert Warshawer, 11 `Power Road, stated that the neighborhood had been notified well in advance of the blasting done at the house site. He said the contractor went beyond the call of duty on that score_ Mr. Grant summarized the project briefly, saying that Mr. McIver is only required to improve 175 feet of roadway but he is improving 320 feet and that he should not be obligated to solve everyone's run -off problems. There was further discussion about the condition of the road, about its not being accepted by the Town after the improvements, maintenance of the drainage system, and trees affected by construction. Mr_ Minutes for the Meeting of November 1, 2001 Warshawer said that having fewer trees would be a blessing. The Board asked Mr. McIver to give the Engineering Division a topographical map of the site. 111 response to Ms. Chase's question, Ms. McCall - Taylor said that the new tree by --law does not affect land involved in the subdivision permitting process. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr_ Kastorf, the Board voted unanimously that the .requested waivers are appropriate. On the motion of Mr_ Harden, seconded by Mr_ Davies, the Board voted unanimously to approve the street. improvement plan, with conditions. * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 536 -540 Lowell Street, Comprehensive Permit Project (Chapter 40B), Rising Tide Development Mr. Garber reported that a Chapter 40B project will be filed soon for land at 536 -540 Lowell Street, the current Plant Action site by the Rising Tide Company, in association with Stockard and Engler, housing consultants. He gave an overview of the process. The developers have agreed to present the plan to the Selectmen_ There will be a 30 -day comment period. SUBDIVISION OF LAND 2 Ding Street, Sketch Subdivision Plan, Daniel Taylor, Presentation by the Applicant Present for this item were Mr. Daniel Taylor, applicant, Mr. Chris Ernilius, engineer, of Geod Engineering„ and Mr. Frederick Conroy, attorney. There were eight people in the audience. Mr. Emilius presented a sketch subdivision plan showing three new dwellings on three lots on a new cul de sac off King Street. Two existing structures on the site are to be razed. lie described the existing conditions and explained the likely drainage system, pending an on -the- ground survey_ Mr_ Kastorf asked if there is enough frontage on a street even to consider doing this project. Ms. McCall - Taylor said that the condition of King Street is an issue that must be dealt with before anything else_ Mr. John McNamara asked about the length of dead end streets_ He was informed that 650 feet is the limit. Ms. Chase said that she had walked the site, took some pictures, etc., and it is her opinion that the Historical Commission should be consulted about the stone walls on the site. She urged Mr. Taylor to save big trees when siting the houses. Also, there are lady slippers on the site. They should be protected and preserved, as endangered plants, Mr. Emilius said that he is sensitive to these areas of concern. Ms. McCall- Taylor stated that the Fire Department wants at least IS feet of street width. Mr. Conroy will have to prove the developer's right to build the street. The street would ultimately serve eight houses_ Mr. Galaitsis said lie would like to see just two dwellings built, instead of three. Board members all preferred just two dwellings_ Mr_ Kastorf said that the two -lot option must be thoroughly explored before thinking about obtaining a waiver_ Mr. Harden urged Mr. Taylor to work with the neighborhood, as he would need their good will. Ms. McCall - Taylor suggested that the Board request another sketch plan. The Board concurred and so advised Mr_ Taylor. ARTICLES FOR 2002 TO'R'N MEETING Possible honing Amendments for 2002 Town Meeting: The Board went over the list of possible zoning amendments for Town Meeting in March and who would take primary responsibility for each. Arnong them are- Mansionization 13eight, special permit threshold, demolition delay, grade /fll — .John Davies, Glenn: Garber and Maryann McCall - Taylor Minutes for the Meeting of November 1, 2001 3 ■ Technical Corrections --- codification, changes to reflect state law, Julian Bussgang, clarification of language, Glenn Garber to write letter to Mr. Bussgang ■ Definition of an antenna, David Kanter ■ Rezoning for Watertown Savings Bank: rezone the property to CRS, one of Lexington's existing zoning designations REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Met State Hospital Reuse — Update on Definitive Plan_ Mr. Garber reported that the State (Department of Capital Asset Management) has bypassed the filing of a preliminary subdivision plan for the Lexington portion of the Met State Hospital site and gone directly to a definitive plan submission; details are still being discussed but filing should occur shortly and bearing dates established- REPORTS * *x * * * * * * * * * ** Planning Board, Subcommittees Bicycle Advisory Committee Mr. Gal aitsis reported that about thirty people gathered the previous Saturday to build four footbridges for the path through the open space behind Coppersmyth Way cluster development off Marrett Road. On the motion of Ms. Chase, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p -m- ara B- Chase, Clerk