PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MAY 4, 2005
PRESENT: D. Ries (Chairman), R. Domnitz, E. Flint, K. Hurd, J. Snell
STAFF: M. Whitehead, D. Parkhurst
7:30 P.M. BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENT- -Lot 6, Storey Drive (Map 56, Lot 1.03)
PRESENT: Gary Lesantos; Ed Lechtenberg, Jill Harkaway.
Mr. Lesanto presented a revised draft drawing that showed the relocated garage and driveway turnout. This enabled the applicant to save certain trees (see drawing). Discussion followed on landscaping. The Board agreed, upon the neighbor’s and applicant’s request, that the location of three landscape groupings could be determined by the neighbors and the applicant. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve the change as an administrative amendment. The Motion passed unanimously.
8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION - LEXINGTON ROAD LLP, TIM TAYLOR (ATTY), 118 Lexington Road, ( Map and Parcels 34-4, 34-4.02, 34-4.03, 34-4.04, 34-4.05) special permit and site plan review for an R-1 cluster subdivision.
The applicant was not present. The applicant’s attorney, Tim Taylor, has asked for a continuance. It was noted that there will only be a four members of the Board present on June 1. A MOTION was made and seconded to continue this hearing to June 1, 2005 or June 15, 2005 dependent on the applicant’s selection. The motion passed unanimously.
8:20 P.M. – PUBLIC HEARING – RICK WISE, 34 Old Sudbury Road (Map 118 Parcel 16), site plan review for construction of a new residence.
PRESENT: Rick Wise, applicant; Mark Goetemann, neighbor. - The applicant presented plans and drawings for a modular house to be constructed on this .89 acre site. The house is 92’ long by 24’ wide. The lot is long and narrow and the house follows that configuration. While the garage is on the street side, the garage doors will not face the street. The house is no closer to the side lot lines than the existing house. The existing house has received a demolition permit from the Historical Commission and approval for reconstruction from the Board of Appeals. Mr. Wise noted that the driveway is in the same location, but will be shorter. Exterior lighting will be over the garage and the exterior doors. The fixtures are not decided at this time. The new septic system will not be
raised and Mr. Wise anticipates that any drainage will be handled on site. Mr. Goetemann commented that he is generally in favor of the new house proposal, but noted that the houses are very close and he is concerned that screening be maintained, especially during construction. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve the site plan as presented subject to the following conditions:
1. The Board shall review and approve catalog cuts for the light fixtures prior to final approval;
2. The applicant shall maintain the existing screening;
3. Standard conditions.
The Motion passed unanimously.
8:40 P.M. - PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION - CHRISTINA BREITER, HOBBS BROOK FARM PROPERTY CO., 268 Cambridge Turnpike (Map and Parcel 33-11), amendment to the cluster subdivision plan and site plan review for the construction of a sound wall adjacent to Route 2 (Cambridge Turnpike).
PRESENT: Christina Breiter (applicant, Tom Ryan (landscape architect), Tom Frisardi (attorney).
The applicant said they have spoken with Ken Bassett and have tried to incorporate his ideas into the design. The height of trees around the gabion walls has been increased to 16’. A new Sound Wall Layout Plan was presented. The Board discussed the benefits of plantings and the potential for noise reduction. Mr. Hurd requested that the wire mesh for the gabion walls be painted or galvanized prior to installation. The Board discussed requesting additional drawings, including what it looks like now and what it will look like when completed. This would create an understandable document. The Board also discussed installation of the wall on a demonstration basis. Mr. Frisardi pointed out that the applicant could forego building the wall. He added that a private party would create a
more esthetic wall than one built in the future by the State. The Chairman said he had heard three possible scenarios at this time: a section of the wall could be put up on a demonstration basis; additional drawings could be produced; the project could be voted or not as presented at this hearing. The Board discussed the options. A MOTION was made and seconded to request additional drawings of the proposal before the final vote. This would move the final vote to June 15 when a full Board is present. Several members indicated the additional drawing would not change their decision. The Motion failed. The Board discussed a reasonable time frame to maintain plantings. Discussion followed on wording for the motion. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve the wall subject to the following conditions:
1. the original plantings shall be replaced if not viable after five years;
2. at all times the screening shall be maintained as shown in the original plan;
3. an elevation plan shall be submitted for review within 60 days.
The Motion passed 4-1.
9:00 P.M. – RURAL LAND FOUNDATION, GEOFF MCGEAN, on behalf of Ron Row, 145 Tower Road (Map and Parcel 112-18), review of engineering report and covenants for a three lot cluster subdivision.
PRESENT: Geoff McGean, Director, Rural Land Foundation (RLF)
The Board has received a drainage review, the peer review comments, and the engineer’s response (see file). Mr. McGean reported that the existing gutter line along Tower Road will be maintained so that runoff does not flow onto the new road. Mr. McGean also said that the road will be called Tower Field Lane. A Homeowner’s Trust will be developed to ensure that both Lots 2 and 3 are responsible should the drainage fail on the two lots. A MOTION was made and seconded to accept the Engineer’s report and response as meeting the requirement for that condition of the approval of the subdivision. The Motion passed unanimously. The Board signed the subdivision site plan.
9:20 P.M. – MINUTEMAN COMMONS, PATRICK MORGANELLI, 82 Virginia Road (Map and Parcel 5-3) – Review of Documents .
PRESENT: Patrick Morganelli, Gary Hendren
The Board reviewed documents with the proponents. Mr. Morganelli will return to the next meeting for further review.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Town Planner’s Report
HATS is planning a pre-BRAC meeting for Planning Board members. Possible dates were discussed.
The Sunnyside hearing is scheduled for May 18. Only Mr. Ries, Mr. Hurd, and Mr. Flint will be available for the site plan review. Conservation is meeting on the subject parcel on the same night. The ZBA hearing is scheduled for May 19. The neighborhood meeting was May 3.
A Town Meeting Review is scheduled for May 19.
Mr. Whitehead reported on a conversation with Ken Bassett regarding the Hobbs Brook Farm Wall, Audubon proposal for tree removal along Route 117, and parking plan around the stone church.
Planning Board work program for discussion at the next business meeting:
· Continue working with Zoning Board on Zoning bylaw;
· Write inclusionary zoning regulations;
· Revise fee structure;
· Revise sign bylaw;
· Revise Subdivision Rules and Regulations
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst Approved on May 18, 2005
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