HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-07-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 7, 2000
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 Vice Chairman Colman, with members Bridge - Denzak, Galaitsis, Merrill,
Planning Director Garber and Assistant Plamier McCall -- Taylor present.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Cotton Farm Cluster Subdivision off Marrett Road, Sketch Plan, Todd Cataldo Present for this item were
Todd Cataldo, the applicant, Richard Waitt, engineer, and Gary Larson, landscape architect. The purpose of
the discussion was to come to agreement on reserving public access to town -owned land when the proposed
subdivision is built.
Mr. Cataldo said that he wants to know where the Board sits on this issue as the fifty-foot no -build strip that
appears on the plan and on the deed is for our protection from what happens on the Town -owned land. It
was part of the land swap the Cataldos made with the Town a number of years ago. The Senior Center is
considering the site for its new location. Putting a road through in connection with a senior center there
would drastically change the character of the area.
Mr. Colman said the Board would consider it further at its next meeting. Mr. Cataldo said he would send the
document describing the no -build strip to the Planning Department.
Mr. Merrill said that cutting a road through is not desirable from a planning point of view and if part of the
land swap deal with Mr. Cataldo was that a road would not be built there, then that understanding should be
honored.
Responding to a suggestion in the Board's letter on the first sketch plan, Mr. Cataldo said that reducing the
number of houses further, to eight or nine, is not a viable option for him.
Mr. Larson commented that, as he understands it, the 650 -foot dead -end road length limit does not affect the
length of driveways to the properties. Ms McCaIl- Taylor responded that the driveway shown on the plan,
which services several proposed dwellings, is basically an "end -run" around the By -Law. It is not in the
sprit of what that limit is intended to accomplish.
Mr. Waitt said that he had recently attended an excellent Open Space subdivisions conference. He believes
that the plan being considered now responds to give the Board what it wants in a cluster layout. A
conventional layout would allow 19 units. He defended the two interior driveways and commented that the
design team needs certainty from the Board before the next plan is submitted
Mr. Colman responded that Mr. Waitt's comments are well taken. The Board will schedule 30 minutes at the
next Planning Board meeting, when John Davies is also present, to discuss the plan further.
Mr. Garber said that there is ambiguity that needs to be clarified in subsection 9.3.6.4. He also noted that
the extraction of 3.8 acres and the use of only single - family dwellings are problematic in the current plan.
Later in the meeting members commented that Mr. Cataldo is creating his own hardship.
246 Concord Avenue, Minor Modification, Masoud Sanayei Present for this item was Masoud Sanayei,
owner of one of the lots at 246 Concord Avenue, a 7.4.5, reduced frontage, subdivision. Mr. Garber
explained that one of the numbers cited in the special permit for the approved subdivision did not really
work out correctly in actuality. Mr. Sanayei wants to amend the living area, but not the footprint of the
Minutes for the Meeting of June 7, 2000 2
dwelling. He showed the Board some calculations he had done concerning the dwelling area.
After some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr. Colman, the Board voted to approve
Mr. Sanayei's request for 3,100 s.f. of site coverage, 4,800 s.f. of living area and 5,500 s.£ of gross floor
area for his proposed house at 246 Concord Avenue.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Applications To Be Heard on June 15, 2000: Mr. Merrill gave an oral review of the following applications:
26 Blossom Street
• Variance from side and front yard setback to allow addition to a nonconforming dwelling - The
Board agreed to recommend the applicant seek alternative locations so as not to infringe further on side and
front set - backs. It will also note that the applicant did not adequately address hardship in the submission
they reviewed.
• Special permit to convert a one - family dwelling into a dwelling containing two dwellings units —
The Board will recommend favorable action on this aspect of the application.
(Planning Board member Fred Merrill did not deliberate or vote on this application)
The Board agreed to make no comment on the following applications to be heard on June 15, 2000:
50 Paul Revere Road — special permit to construct a dormer within the minimum yard setback
20 Burlington Street — variance from side and front yard setback to construct a porch and second story
addition
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Met State Hospital Reuse, Site Access Committee, Report On Recent Meeting Mr. Garber reported that
Waltham backed off from its latest demand that the access road issue should go back before the Legislature.
Controversy also erupted over the program entitlement for the development area, which is in Lexington,
concerning definitions of limits on floor area and auto trips. The Board agreed that it is too early for
decisions like that to be made. The Access Committee will meet again next week.
REPORTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Planning Board, Subcommittees, Planning Board Representative/Liaison to Other Committees
Ad Hoc Tree Committee Ms. Bridge - Denzak reported on the links between the Planning Board and the
Tree committee. She wanted to clarify the Planning Board's role in forming the committee. She wants to
send something to the Selectmen when a draft is ready.
Mr. Merrill reported that the 20/20 Visioning Committee will be making presentations on their findings in
the fall. He feels the group's effort has been successful and useful and the comprehensive plan could benefit
from their findings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * ** EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion duly made and seconded, Mr. Colman polled the members at 9:30 p.m. and the Board voted
unanimously, 4 -0, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. The Board agreed to
reconvene in open session only for the purpose of adjourning.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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