PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
September 7, 2005
PRESNT: K Hurd (Chairman), R. Domnitz, E. Flint, D. Ries, J. Snell
STAFF: M. Whitehead, D. Parkhurst
7:30 BUSINESS
· The Board signed the fence permit for Steve Daigle, 125 Cambridge Turnpike (Map 29/parcel 28).
TOWN PLANNER’S REPORT
· Mr. Whitehead pointed out letter for Town Counsel regarding recent ruling on telecommunications.
· Mr. Brodney, Huntley Lane (Map 101 parcel 1) has asked if he could run the retaining wall along the contour cuts, rather than using the “straight” line as shown on the plans. He plans to present his landscaping plan to the Board in early October. Members of the Board will visit the site individually.
· Architects for the Estes-Binder house (36 Beaver Pone Map 86 parcel 2) will be bringing in their site plan with some revisions. Mr. Whitehead will review to see if it requires a meeting with the Board
· Mr.Ottenberg is requesting an amendment to the approved site plan for 186 Weston Road (Map121 parcel 6)
· Mr. Whitehead reported that he attended a meeting at Hanscom Air Force Base (along With Town Administrator Higgins and Police Chief Mooney) regarding the new construction that will improve the quality, but reduce the number of housing units on the base. Base officials have agreed to allow the Town to review that part of the contract that deals with Federal exemptions. That information will probably be sent on to Town Counsel at that point. The group also discussed mutual aid. Mr. Snell would like to have a conversation with the base about energy efficiencies as appropriate.
· The At- Risk Properties Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 13 at 7:30. Abutters and owners have been notified. VHB will make a presentation.
· The Neighborhood Conservation District meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2005.
· Mike Moore stopped construction of the septic system at Minuteman Commons due to deficiencies that need to be addressed.
8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING – AYOUB ENGINEERING ON BEHALF OF ELIE JAMMAL, South Great Road, (Map 82, Parcel 2), site plan review for a new residence.
PRESENT: Elie Jammal (applicant), Alan Micale (Ayoub Engineering), Ann Parke, neighbor.
Mr. Micale presented the site plan, showing the footprint of the house, existing grades and proposed grades. House size was approximated at 13,000 square feet, including the basement on a 3.2 acre property. The site is wooded and there is a pond on the property with runoff heading in that direction. Grading will occur within the 100’ buffer, and the applicant will go to the Conservation Commission. They will use dry wells to handle peak runoff rates. Mr. Jammal stated he has a Purchase and Sales Agreement and rights to use a private way to access the property rather than a new curb cut off of South Great Road. The Board noted that the bylaw requires a 10 foot no disturb buffer and the engineer will pull the contours back to accommodate that. Members of the Board noted that the house is large and
the Board is commissioned to try and preserve the rural atmosphere of the Town. Mr. Jammal said the house is a Federal/Colonial style. Mr. Hurd explained that it needs to be designed in a sensitive manner when a house is this large. He discussed the side of the house that faces the public way, noting that massing and detailing need to be addressed. Elevations and materials have to be part of the presentation. At one point in the discussion, a misunderstanding occurred when the applicant accused the Planner of denying him access to the Board last year; but Mr. Whitehead stated that, in fact, the applicant did not have a complete set of application materials at the time. A brief heated exchange ensued when Mr. Ries took exception to Mr. Jammal’s accusation. The Chairman asked if the applicant wished to continue. The applicant asked to continue to the next hearing date. Mr. Domnitz made a Motion and Mr. Snell seconded to
continue the hearing to 8:40 on September 21, 2005. The Motion passed unanimously.
8:20 P.M.- HOBBS BROOK FARM – CHRISTINA BREITER, , Cambridge Turnpike, (Map and Parcel 33-1) Review changes to wall design recommended by Conservation Commission.
The applicants were not present.
9:00 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.
PRESENT: Tim Taylor, Ron Metzger
Mr. Taylor presented plans that reflect changes as previously discussed. He also said that documents were not ready. Discussion continued on the special permit and restrictions. At the applicant’s request a MOTION was made and seconded to continue the hearing to September 21 at 9PM. The MOTION passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS:
The Board discussed adding an associate member as approved at last year’s Town Meeting.
Mr. Domnitz discussed the accessory apartment committee,
MINUTES: Deferred
The Meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Submitted by,
Debra Parkhurst
Approved on 09/21/05
| 
