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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 27, 2010
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office
Building was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Greg Zurlo with members Richard Canale, Charles
Hornig, Anthony Galaitsis, Wendy Manz and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry, and
Lori Kaufman present.
******HARTWELL AVENUE AREA STUDY
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Mr. Zurlo called the public hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. There were approximately 30 people in the
audience. Mr. Zurlo gave a presentation highlighting the process used to develop the plan and regulations
for the TMO-1 District that includes the Hartwell Avenue area. Mr. Rick Bryant provided more detail on
the process, infrastructure plan and the Planning Board changes.
Audience Comments:
Government and Committee Members:
Mr. Richard Jolly, Bedford Planning Director, asked if the roundabouts at Bedford Street and
Maguire Road would impact traffic heading west to Bedford. Mr. Bryant said Bedford Street was
currently restricted by a two-lane section, but the roundabout would increase capacity 10-20%
and would reduce the number of crashes, which addresses safety issues. Maguire Road
roundabout would not change capacity going to Bedford, but would be easier from Bedford.
Mr. Stewart Kennedy submitted a letter from the West Lexington Greenway Committee.
Mr. David Kanter of the Capital Expenditures Committee said there would need to be numbers
representing the best estimates; without figuring the total cost it would be a hard sell. There
should be a formula for fee setting. Was construction of a bikeway at the West Lexington
Greenway an appropriate mitigation? Has there been any coordination with Hanscom Air Force
Base?
Mr. Bill Levison of the Transportation Advisory Committee said the single occupancy vehicle
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2010
(SOV) goal needed to be clarified and all developers should be required to report the numbers.
There needed to be clarification and cross referencing between the plan and regulations. He
submitted the following recommended edits:
1. Hartwell Avenue Area Plan F(17) bullet 2 be augmented by “which include identification
of appropriate TMA services specific to Hartwell Avenue”
2. Draft regulations 175-78 Section A(2)(a) add “state a numerical goal for reducing SOV
use and must provide a description of the specific demand management techniques that
will be utilized to accomplish this goal”
3. Draft regulations 175-78 Section E(3)(a) add “The plans must also commit to utilization
of those services appropriate for the Hartwell Avenue to be indentified by Parking and
Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) study described in section K(5) in the
Hartwell Avenue Area Plan”
Ms. Laurel Carpenter, of the Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee said that cyclists will ride
if they feel safe.
Abutters/Residents:
On Winter Street left turns onto Bedford Street are difficult. It will take more then a can of paint
to solve the problem, how can this problem be resolved? Mr. Bryant said that widening the road,
and rumble strips would make a staged crossing.
What would be the process for adoption of these regulations? Town Meeting approved the money
for the plan and the Planning Board adopts the plan and regulations. Evolution of the plan and
design is not reflected in the plan, for example a 25 mph design speed for Wood Street.
Commitment of time is the guarantee of this plan going forward. Energy and resources have
already been committed. Encourage more of the plan to be in the base document and express
what the Board wants as a desired outcome including opinions on design speeds.
The concept of rumble strips should be included in the plan. Has the State been approached
about Winter Street and Bedford Street? If land takings are being contemplated, post updates and
sketches showing the extent of the land takings on the website.
Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) plans should require annual reports.
Who would review them and what would be the consequences if the SOV goal was not met? The
fees derived should be dedicated to mitigation. The purchase of Lexpress passes and construction
of a bike path with the West Lexington Greenway are mitigation. Regulations allow development
Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2010 Page 3
but the plan does not require improvements to go forward. Town Meeting approved going
forward and it is up to the people to get involved and raise their voices to keep the process
going.
How can we get bike lanes without widening the street like Wood Street? Bike lanes and
sidewalks could not be done without widening the street.
There was a request for a light at the corner of Bedford Street and Winter Street to be installed.
To make a left turn there now was a five minute wait. If there was a traffic circle it would create
a continuous stream of traffic making it impossible to get out of Winter Street. There was
concern expressed that a back up at an intersection in Bedford could cause the roundabout to fail.
A vehicle making a left turn would hold up all traffic going straight during peak hours and
banning the left hand turn would provide the easiest solution.
If businesses do not achieve the SOV goals they should be fined. The PTDM reports should
include air quality measurement, photos of property to ensure landscaping quality, lighting
descriptions and controls.
A developer said there should be a better definition of increased net floor area; the fee should not
be due before the building permit application but could be paid within five days of the issuance
of the building permit, site plan review or special permit; keep bike parking consistent with the
existing requirements; the maximum 80% SOV numbers seemed to be too low; traffic counts are
prohibitive for small businesses; putting up medians would prevent retail; what if a
Transportation Management Association (TMA) does not exist on Hartwell Avenue.?
In 1984 the Federal Highway Administration would not allow a light at Eldred as it could back
up Route 128. Also in the ‘80’s $330,000 was collected from businesses on Hartwell Avenue and
a lot of monies went into the general fund. There needs to be an accounting.
Foot traffic and bike traffic seems very little on Hartwell Avenue was there any data for that?
FEE STRUCTURE
Residential special permits would be $100 and $200 for nonresidential special permits except for signs,
which would be $100. This would be the same as the Zoning Board of Appeals, but would apply in
instances when the Planning Board was the special permit granting authority.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to close the public hearing at 9:55 p.m.
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2010
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
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REVISION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
LEXINGTON GARDENS
The applicant has requested a revision of the performance guarantee since they completed the bulk of
construction required for the proposed roadway and would like to begin construction on the lots within
the project. They are asking to secure the remaining work with a cash surety and for the Board to release
the lots held under the covenant.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept a deposit of money in the amount of
$93,849 to insure the performance of the subdivision, as detailed in the agreement entitled “Performance
Secured by Deposit of Money” dated October 27, 2010.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, in consideration of the alternative performance
security to release the Planning Board’s interest in the covenant, dated June 30, 2010.
MINUTES
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On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the minutes for October 13, 2010, as
amended.
STAFF REPORTS
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The Battle Road Scenic Byway (BRSB) will host a public forum on the draft management plan on
November 9, 2010 starting at 6:15 p.m. at Cary Memorial Hall.
Brief Development Update:
Lexington Hills - request for a modification of the subdivision plans;
Cliffe Road - a street improvement plan submitted;
Solly’s Way has one more year of the moratorium on road openings which affects the sinking of
utility lines and the removal of the utility pole; and
137-139 Shade Street - Board member may inspect the building envelopes that have been staked
on the site, the applicant feels these are better than the ones from the sketch plan in the spring.
Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2010 Page 5
BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS
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Mr. Canale asked Board members to encourage the committees to which they are liaisons to give input on
th
the BRSB management plan and to come to the workshop on November 9 in Cary Hall The MAPC Fall
Council and MAGIC meetings are focusing on economic development, which might help Lexington
strengthen its position and create a positive image. One suggestion was to make the website inviting.
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
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APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED (ANR)
121 MARRETT ROAD, COTTON FARM
Mr. Hornig recused himself and left the meeting.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to endorse the plan entitled “Plan of Land in
Lexington, MA”, dated October 22, 2010, prepared and certified by Kevin E. Danahy, Professional Land
Surveyor, Beverly, MA, with Form A/2010-6, submitted by Thomas J. Cataldo, the applicant, as it does
not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law.
The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
1. Draft-September 29, 2010, Transportation Management Plan for TMO-1 District (9 pages).
2. Draft Regulations-September 29, 2010 (3 pages).
3. Fees for Special permit (1 page).
4. Letter from Keith Ohmart and Stewart Kennedy, dated October 27, 2010 (1 page).
5. Statement from the transportation Advisory Committee to the Planning Board Concerning the
Hartwell Avenue TMOD, dated October 27, 2010 (2 pages).
6. Release of Municipal Interest in Subdivision performance Security regarding Lexington Gardens
(1 page).
7. Performance Secured by deposit of money regarding Lexington Gardens (2 pages).
8. Letter from Frederick and Patti Keefe regarding 137-139 Shade Street, dated October 4, 2010 (1
page).
9. Plan of Land in Lexington, MA”, dated October 22, 2010, prepared and certified by Kevin E.
Danahy, Professional Land Surveyor, Beverly, MA. (1 page).
Page 6 Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2010
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Anthony Galaitsis, Clerk