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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2012
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was
called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice Chairman Greg Zurlo with members Wendy Manz, Michelle
Ciccolo and Charles Hornig and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry and Lori
Kaufman present. Richard Canale was absent.
************************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION*********************
10 Bird Hill Road, Street Determination
The applicant has requested a determination of the adequacy of the grade and construction of Bird
Hill Road and a waiver from the submittal requirements.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, that Bird Hill Road in the vicinity of 10
Bird Hill Road, was presently of adequate grade and construction for the proposed use of the
land.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to grant a waiver from strict compliance
from §175-68C(3) of the Planning Board Development Regulations requiring a Definitive Street
Construction Plan.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED
181 Follen Road, Approval not required (ANR):
Mr. Bruce Felby, attorney for Lin Huey Chen and Lan Bo Chen the applicants, said this parcel
would be divided into two lots and was entitled to endorsement since each of the proposed lots
would have 125 feet frontage on public ways. This has nothing to do with zoning compliance or
the buildability of the lots, which would be a discussion for another day.
The Board discussed the many comments received from concerned abutters and determined that
the endorsement was required, but include additional language to the endorsement of the plan
stating that this is not a determination of ownership or easement rights of the triangle between the
stonewall and the boundary defined by the stonewall.
Audience comments:
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of January 11, 2012
There was concern with the language in the staff recommendation memo.
The residents encouraged the Board to take a closer look to make sure there would be two
compliant lots created.
The 300 foot triangle of land creates a problem regarding sufficient frontage.
There are concerns about blasting on the lot since it has 12 feet of ledge and could
damage abutter’s homes.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, to endorse the plan entitled “Plan of Land in
Lexington, MA” dated November 15, 2011, prepared and certified by William F. McNary,
Professional Land Surveyor, Acton, MA. with Form A (2012-1) submitted by Lin Huey Chen and
Lan Bo Chen, the applicants, as it does not require approval under subdivision control law, with
the addition of language that it is not a determination of ownership or easement rights.
********************************TOWN MEETING*******************************
Center Committee, Warrant Articles:
Mr. Howard Levin, Mr. Dick Brown and Mr. Jerry Michelson were present.
Building Height:
The Board discussed limiting the building height to 45 feet, limiting the FAR, the number of
stories and step backs and decided to keep all options open until after the public hearings.
Residential Uses:
The Board discussed allowing some residential uses on the street level floor by special permit.
This will be discussed further after input at the public hearings.
Parking:
Ms. McCall-Taylor said that Town Counsel had reservations about being able to go forward with
the parking warrant article for this Annual Town Meeting. The Board Members decided that they
were unable to go forward with the parking article since it was so complicated and needed more
time to be presented to various people in time for this Annual Town Meeting. The Board did
decide to go forward with the height and residential uses. Parking will continue to be addressed
and the plan is to move forward for the next Town Meeting.
**********************REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES**************************
Wheeler Road:
Minutes for the Meeting of January 11, 2012 Page 3
The Board of Selectmen had asked the Planning Director to come and explain public notice
requirements in general and then specifically for Wheeler Road. The Planning Board discussed
how to appropriately weigh in on this matter since it would have an impact on Lexington
residents. The Burlington Planning Board will address the issues regarding the Burlington
residents and any input from the Lexington Planning Board will probably not have much
influence, but should still be submitted. The Wheeler Road project may trigger MEPA
regulations, but that would only be after most of the permitting is done. The Planning Board
should try to get the Board of Selectmen involved.
Audience Comments:
There should be some representation by a Lexington Town Board to speak up for the
Lexington residents and address the increase it would create in cut through traffic.
Traffic already blocks the intersections at Middlesex Turnpike and Lowell Street and now
adding more buildings would make a bad traffic situation worse.
The Burlington Planning Board is being overwhelmed and pushed by the developer.
The Lexington residents were here to ask for Planning Board support whether through a
letter or in person.
The Burlington Planning Board is moving too fast and there has been no peer review of
the traffic study.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to have Ms. McCall-Taylor draft a letter
to the Burlington Planning Board, addressing concerns regarding traffic and making sure
mitigations are in place. Mr. Zurlo will try to attend the Burlington public hearing and the
Planning Board will encourage a Board of Selectmen member to attend that meeting as well.
************************ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS***************************
2 Opi Circle:
The applicant has requested a lot circle variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Planning
Board reviewed the petition for the variance and found no justification for granting the variance
based on soil conditions, shape or topography of the lot. The reasons for the dimensional relief
being sought are entirely self-imposed and therefore should be denied.
***********************************MINUTES**********************************
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of January 11, 2012
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to accept the minutes of December 7 and
14, 2011.
**********************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION***********************
The public hearings for the Lexington Center Zoning articles will be held on February 15, 2012
and the Inn at Hastings Park on February 29, 2012. Ms. Ciccolo will not be available on January
25, but will be February 1, 2012. The TMMA information session on zoning will be held on
Thursday, March 22, 2012.
*******************************STAFF REPORTS********************************
The Board was reminded about the Planning Department breakfast to meet the new employee
David Kucharsky.
Engineering is looking at the traffic report for the Inn at Hastings Park. The applicant does not
want to fund a peer review and Board members agreed that one was not necessary at this time.
Hazel Road:
The next meeting will include a street determination for Hazel Road and Mr. Henry advised the
Board to take a look at the road before the January 25, 2012 meeting.
******************************BOARD REPORTS********************************
The Housing partnership is sponsoring an affordable housing inforamtion program on February 2,
2012.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to adjourn at 11:01 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
1. Agenda Item Summary and staff recommendation for 10 Bird Hill Road, dated January 5,
2012 (3 pages).
2. Agenda Item Summary and staff recommendation for 181 Follen Road, and supplemental
information (2 pages).
Minutes for the Meeting of January 11, 2012 Page 5
3. Two letters from Kenneth Hoffman regarding 181 Follen Road, dated 1/11/12 (2 pages)
and one sent January 10, 2012 (7 pages).
4. Letter from Alan Naisular regarding 181 Follen Road, dated January 11, 2012 (1 page).
5. Plan of Land in Lexington, MA, dated November 15, 2011 for 181 Follen Road (1 page).
6. Summary of current Zoning Amendment Proposals from the Lexington Center
Committee, dated 1/6/12 (2 pages).
7. Letter from John Frey regarding Wheeler Road, dated January 6, 2012 (1 page).
8. Letter from Frank Sandy regarding Wheeler Road, dated January 6, 2012 (1 page).
9. Papers submitted by the audience regarding Wheeler Road at the meeting (6 pages).
Michelle Ciccolo, Clerk