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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-09-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF AUGUST 9, 2000 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Planning Board Office, G -1, and then moved to the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Colman, with members Davies, Galaitsis, Planning Director Garber and Assistant Planner McCall- Taylor present. Also in attendance were Selectmen Krieger and Enrich. Mr. Merrill was absent. Ms. Bridge- Denzak arrived after the phone interviews. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** The meeting began in the planning office with phone interviews of two candidates seeking appointment to replace Mr. Merrill who is resigning from the Planning Board. Ms. Sara Chase was called where she was vacationing in New Mexico and Ms. Lee Sinai was called at her home on Martha's Vineyard. The meeting then adjourned to the Selectmen's Meeting Room for in- person interviews. Todd Burger and Karl Kastorf spoke with the Board. The Board members decided to take up other business before continuing the interviews as they were running ahead of schedule. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW Form A /00 -5, 58160 Hancock Street The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land on Hancock Street. On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously: to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA" (Middlesex County) dated July 20, 2000, prepared by Meridian Engineering, Inc., Danvers, MA., certified by Michael J. Juliano, Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A /00 -5, submitted by John Austin representing the Windermere Group, Inc, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Community Preservation Act Mr. Garber reported on the status of the Community Preservation Act This bill, the result of a fifteen -year process, was passed by the legislature and sent to the governor for his signature. He chose to send it back to the legislature, in effect killing the bill, because of a $20 fee increase. This means that the earliest the bill can be re -voted is January 2001. Because the Lexington Town Meeting warrant closes December 2000 it forecloses action by the Town Meeting until 2002 unless there is a special Town Meeting. Board members urged Mr. Garber to consult with town counsel about drafting a contingent warrant article so that if the legislature acts on the bill in early 2001, the Town meeting could accept the bill at the 2001 Town meeting Old Smith Farm Subdivision off Wood Street Stop Work Order: Mr. Garber informed the Board of problems at the Old Smith Farm Subdivision off Wood Street. The developer has started tree clearance within the limits of work and roadway although the plan has never been endorsed or filed. The Air Force has a water line easement that gives them rights of access and maintenance. It appears that the roadway may encroach on the terms of the easement. After a meeting at the site this morning, the developer was told to implement the subdivision and to do the engineering studies necessary to address the easement encroachments. It is possible that one cluster may have to be redesigned, or the meter pit moved and the water line replaced. Earl Street Improvement, Progress The portion of Earl Street subject to the road improvement plan started in 1997 has been paved but the extensive tree replacement has not yet been done. The developer has offered to post bond for the planting. Mr. Garber said that this should allow the issuance of an occupancy permit Minutes for the Meeting of August 9, 2000 while guaranteeing that the trees will be planted. 2 * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS CONTINUED*************** The Board continued with the interviews, speaking with Mr. Steve Hurley and Mr. Tom Harden. All candidates were asked the same questions as follows: 1) Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are interested in serving on the Planning Board; 2) What particular qualifications do you bring to the board and do you have any areas of interest you would like to see addressed by the Board (in other words do you come with an agenda in mind ?); 3) What are your views on the recent phenomenon of mansionization in Lexington ?; 4) What strategies do you think the Board might use to discourage the continuing mansionization of Lexington and provide more varied types of housing ?; 5) What strategies do you think the Board might use to preserve open space, particularly privately owned open space ?; and, 6) Is there anything else you would like to tell the Board or do you have any questions? * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND, CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: Trinda Estates Dunham Road: Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that the applicant, Lawrence Trebino, had requested a further continuance of the public hearing opened on August 2, 2000. After discussion of what new information the Board was seeking Mr. Davies moved, and Mr. Galaitsis seconded, the Board voted " To further continue the public hearing on the Trinda Estates subdivision until the Planning Board meeting September 6, 2000." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** After further discussion of the candidates for the Planning Board seat, the Board agreed to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 14 in order to decide on a candidate to present to the joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.