HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-07-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2001
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting 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 and Tap present.
****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Review of Minutes. The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of October 1 and the
joint meeting with the Selectmen on October 1, the meetings of October 10 and October 24, 2001. On the
motion of Ms. Chase, seconded by Mr. Kastorf, it was voted unanimously 5-0 to approve the minutes, as
amended.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Aaron Road Definitive Subdivision flan, Mark Barons, Public Hearing Mr. Galaitsis opened the public
hearing at 7:45 p.m. Present for this item were Mr_ Mark Barons, New England Construction, the
applicant, Mr. Edmund Grant, attorney, Mr. Richard Lakutis, landscape architect, of LandTech
Associates, and Mr. Jaynes Burke, engineer, of Coler and Colantonio. There were 30 people in the
audience, including a local Boy Scout troop_ The boys.are working toward their civics merit badge.
Mr. Grant introduced the development team and gave a brief legal history of the property on Aaron Road,
documenting Mr. Barons' right to develop it and the Board's jurisdiction in the matter. He stated that the
Planning Board had approved the preliminary plan for this property, "with conditions" and described in
detail how the definitive plan shown tonight addresses those conditions_
Mr. Burke explained the drainage system. Mr. Burke had been in communication with Mr. David Crispin,
engineer, of the BSC Group, who was hired by Mr. David Kocher, 4 Nickerson Road, (along with other
Ole, neighbors?) to analyze the drainage plans_ Mr. Burke said that a number of Mr. Crispin's ideas were
incorporated into the plan. Mr. Burke answered questions from the Planning Board about the drainage
system, which Mr. Burke said would protect the abutters from storm water runoff from the project site_
Mr. Richard Schaye, 7 Jean Road, read a statement signed by many abutters to the development, listing
their concerns about road conditions, safety and storm water runoff It asks why standards have been
waived, w.hy utilities are shown above ground (in the preliminary plan they were shown buried), and
questions if the "rules" are being followed_
Mr_ Galaitsis responded that in accordance with the development and subdivision regulations, the
Planning Board considers input from all concerned parties in the permittin process. It can then grant
waivers from its regulations if they deem them advantageous, most of which address benefit abutters to
subdivisions_ Ms_ McCall Taylor commented that the process is working as it is supposed to.
In answer to questions about the street, Mr. Davies explained that a subdivision street does not have to he
"accepted" by the Town but it must be built to Town standards. ii!Fr_ Garber gave a brief history of street
acceptance and defined "adequate grade and construction ".
Mrs_ Linda Scbaye, 7 Jean Road, read a statement signed by 38 abutters, claiming that Jean road would be
evert more dangerous if Mr. Barons' project is approved_ Mr_ Steven Wightmau, I Aaron road, asked the
Board to prohibit blasting of ledge, calling instead for jack hammering_ He was informed that blasting is
the purview of the Fire Department_ Ms. Jane Srnith, b Nickerson Road, read a petition signed by 19
people requesting that the water main be installed before any roadwork is done_
Minutes for the Meeting of November 7, 2001
Mr. David Kocher, 4 Nickerson Road, reported that the Conservation Commission hearing on Mr.
Barons' plans was "continued" due to inadequate data. He displayed a plan showing what he said was a
history of drainage patterns in the area, describing conditions he remembered when previous work was
done there, including the development of a sinkhole. Mr_ John Brotherston, 4 Jean Road, described
previous water issues, evoking images of a geyser and torrents of water.
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Mr. Crispin explained his suggestions for the drainage system. He said that long -term maintenance of the
system is paramount, as it will certainly need periodic cleaning. Several more neighbors described their
experience with runoff.
Attorney Grant replied to the points raised by the abutters, emphasizing that Mr. Barons is not required to
correct problems that already exist in the area around his project.
The Board received copies of each of the letters read by abutters. At 9:15 the Board agreed that the public
hearing should be continued to another time. Mr. Galaitsis declared the hearing continued to Wednesday,
December 19, 2001.
* * * ** * ** * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2002 TOWN MEE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** **
Watertown Savings Bank, Rezoning of land on Waltham. Street from RO to CRS Sketch Plan: Present for
this item were Mr. Paul Bourbeau, Royal Design Builders, Inc., and Mr. Frederick Prior, Senior Vice
President, Watertown Savings Bank. Mr. Bourbeau presented drawings for a new branch office of
Watertown Savings Bank they would like to build on property on Waltham Street near the Waltham town
line. The land is currently zoned for single - family dwellings, but is surrounded by commercial
development and apartment complexes. The applicant wants the land rezoned to CRS, an existing zoning
designation in Lexington's Zoning By -Law. Property opposite the site on Waltham Street is already
zoned CRS. Mr. Bourbeau said the building would have a footprint of about 2000 square feet. They are
considering adding dormers to the roof, making the second floor space more usable.
Mr. Davies asked why they had placed the curb cut so close to that of the adjacent McDonalds Restaurant
instead of nearer the other end of their property. Mr. Bourbeau responded that the flow of traffic using
their drive -thru service window drove that decision_ There was further discussion of the entering and
exiting traffic issue.
Mr_ Davies commented that the property has been an eyesore for years and he is glad to see that some
attractive use will be made of it. But he advised a unified solution to the traffic problem. The other board
members concurred_
Mr. Prior explained that while the plan presented tonight is conceptual, the building shown illustrates the
look the bank wants. He said that the first floor would be devoted to retail banking; the second floor will
house several offices.
The Planning Board expressed its favorable reaction to the plans, predicated on the condition that traffic
would be dealt with in a unified way that is compatible with and improves traffic patterns, especially
ingress and egress, in the adjacent commercial areas_ Ms. McCall - Taylor explained that this rezoning is
simpler than a CD rezoning in that the CRS zone is already defined in the Zoning By -Law and exists
nearby_
Mr. Bourbeau thanked the Board and said that based on this favorable reaction the bank would next file
for an Order of Conditions from the Conservation Commission_
Minutes for the Meeting of November 7, 2001 3
REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES
Met State Hospital Reuse Update on the Process: Mr. Garber reported on recent meetings of the
stakeholders in the Met. State Hospital reuse process. He said he would meet soon with Mr. John
Snedeker, Waltham's director of public works, to discuss Walthah's issues, among there sewer and
utilities and roadway maintenance. The Intertown Task Force is likely to have a meeting in late
November or early December_ It is possible that in January plans will be presented to the Lexington
Planning Board.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Mr_ Kastorf gave an oral review of the following applications that the Board of Appeals will hear on
November 15, 2001:
is 27 Eliot Road- Muriel and Roger Williams Variance to relocate utility pole in required setback
12 Milk Street — Jo Ann Stringer -- Variance to construct bulkhead and entries within side and
front yard setbacks and special permit to add a dormer
37 Preston Road — Christine Winger --- Variance to construct an addition within front yard setback
and special permit to expand second floor of non-conforming dwelling
135 Massachusetts Avenue AMSV Corp. d/b /a Bollywood Cafe — Special Permit to operate an
Indian take -out and fast -food establishment
TM 4 Stetson Street — Fred Johnson — Variance to construct an addition within side yard setback and
special permit to construct additions
905C Massachusetts Avenue — Michael J. Shields — Variance to erect a storage shed within side
and rear setbacks
14 Sylvia Street — Richard Vendetti —Variance to construct a full -shed dormer on the front of a
non - conforming two- family dwelling and special permit to allow expansion of attic space
14 Morgan Road— Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems d/b /a Cingular Wireless Special Permit
to install and operate a wireless communication facility
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications.
On a motion duly made and seconded the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the sheeting at 10.20 p.m.
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Sara B. Chase, Clerk