TOWN OF LINCOLN
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
June 21, 2006
PRESENT: K.Hurd (Chairman), E.Flint, B.Wolf, R.Domnitz, J.Snell
STAFF: M.Whitehead, C.Perry
7:30PM BUSINESS:
Pease, 40 Huckleberry Hill
The Board signed the decision on the addition to a house.
Leaf blowers
The Selectmen had received a letter from Dan Dimancescu of 52 Bedford Road on the subject of nuisance caused by leaf blowers, and referred it to the Planning Board. The Board discussed the potential issues of noise and dust and the possible approaches to regulating them. A general bylaw could regulate noise, perhaps in terms of hours of operation of landscape equipment. However, the Board doubted whether it was a problem of sufficient town-wide concern to merit regulation. It noted that the complainant could discuss possible health issues associated with dust from leaf blowers with the Board of Health, and could also see if there is sufficient support for a citizens’ petition to present a warrant article for a bylaw change to Town Meeting. The Chair asked Mr. Whitehead to draft a reply.
Town Planner’s Report:
Rules and regulations for inclusionary housing
Mr. Whitehead reminded the Board to review the proposed rules and regulations for the public hearing on July 12.
Minuteman Commons, Virginia Road
Mr. Whitehead reported that he had received no communication since February on the outstanding matters from the conditional approval of a special permit. A regulatory agreement on affordable housing was drawn up but the developer needs to pursue getting it approved by DHCD. Mr. Whitehead had drafted a letter drawing the developer’s attention to the outstanding issues. The Board expressed concern about the situation and asked Mr. Whitehead to include a request for the developer to come in to discuss it with them; also to alert the Building Inspector to the fact that the conditions have not yet been satisfied.
Row cluster subdivision, Tower Field Lane
Mr. Whitehead reported he had received an email from Jonathan Hoch, a resident, about a rumor that the new subdivision road is to be moved. Mr. Whitehead had checked with Nathalie Rice of the RLF who said this was not the case. Mr. Whitehead had responded accordingly to Mr. Hoch.
New England Deaconess proposal, ex BIIC site
Board members reported on and discussed the recent steering committee meeting, especially water issues. The affordable housing issue will be taken up with DHCD on Friday. Deaconess is scheduled for a preliminary meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the North Lincoln Planning District requirements on July 12th.
8:00PM PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION: KINGSLEY AND LESLIE BROOKS, 39 North Great Road (Map 12/ Lot 11-0), site plan review for new single family residence in the R-1 zone.
The applicant had requested that the hearing be continued to a later date.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Snell and seconded by Mrs. Wolf to continue the hearing to July 12 at 8:40pm. Passed 5-0.
8:20PM PUBLIC HEARING: TIMOTHY AND KAREN HAWKEY, 198 Concord Road (Map 97/ Lot 12), fence permit for replacement and extension of existing fence in the R-1 zone.
Timothy Hawkey introduced the proposal, stating that his house is at the corner of Concord Road and South Great Road, a busy intersection with traffic lights. The old fence is failing and Mr. Hawkey would like to replace it; also he proposed to fill in a gap where there was a previous driveway and to add a section on the road corner.
Mr. Whitehead reminded the Board that because the fence is not set back five feet from the bicycle path/ sidewalk, there is an issue of interpretation of the bylaw which is a little ambiguous as to how much flexibility is allowed. Mr. Hawkey could replace the existing fence in its current position by right.
It was established that the current fence is set back one foot and that the new one could be positioned a further foot back without undue difficulty. Mr. Hawkey stated that a five foot setback would encounter a problem with the drop in grade from the edge of South Great Road and also that he did not wish to lose yard space at the front of his house which is about 35 ft from Concord Road. The Board acknowledged the constraint of the terrain and also that the proposal was mostly replacement. The Board found that the proposal did not cause a visibility problem at the intersection and that it was clear of the triangular area referred to in the bylaw. The Board considered the selected fence design to be satisfactory. Mr. Domnitz had some concerns about snow plowing.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Snell and seconded by Mr. Flint to approve the fence as submitted, subject to it being set back a minimum of two feet from the existing cycle path. Passed 4-1.
The applicant agreed to supply a final plan.
8:40PM PUBLIC HEARING: STACI MONTORI AND JOHN BORDIUK, 84 Codman Road (Map 103/ Lot 3), site plan review for additions to single family residence in the R-1 zone.
Staci Montori, applicant, and John Winslow, architect, introduced themselves. Mr. Winslow presented the proposal, which relates to a house of approximately 3800sq ft on a 0.9 acre lot. The additions bring the house over 4000sq ft, triggering site plan review. The proposal is also before the ZBA. The intention is to renovate and add on to the house, with a new entry, a rear porch and a front vestibule. Some restyling is proposed, to make it more like a California bungalow rather than a ranch. This will include some re-siding and extensions to edges of gables.
Mr. Winslow stated that setbacks have been observed. The house is positioned at the top of a steep slope, with flattish land to the rear and west. Lights are proposed on the path at the front, and on the front of the house (two on the columns of the porch and one at the end of the building). There will also be a ceiling light in the porch at the rear left of the house.
Drainage was discussed. The architect did not believe drainage on the site would be affected substantially. The applicant stated that run off from the driveway goes eastward along a gully, not into the road.
The Board examined the lighting plans and requested catalog cuts. Two alternative path light designs were being considered. The Board noted that light would be directed downwards but queried the high wattage. The Board also considered the number of path lights to be excessive and in particular the ones in front of the porch were superfluous as this area will be lit by the lights on the columns. No catalog cuts were presented for the building lights but they were described as having frosted glass.
Turning to the architectural styling, Mr. Hurd commented that he liked the overall design and thought the façade presented was an improvement on the old one. He queried the heavy styling of the numerous tapered columns. The applicant confirmed that this is a desired feature although one column may be eliminated.
The Board advised the applicant that minor changes can be made by submitting drawings at least a week before a Board meeting, without the need for re-advertising. Final plans must be provided.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr.Snell and seconded by Mr. Flint, to approve the plans dated 6/21/2006 as submitted, subject to the submission of lighting selections and positions with up to five path lights rather than eight, 40watts maximum each.
Passed 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Minutes
5/10 – Some amendments were proposed, to be marked up and re-circulated.
Master Plan
Feedback from the kick-off meeting was discussed. The next meeting will be on Wednesday July 26 (not Tuesday 18 as previously announced). Sudbury’s planners will give a presentation and discussion.
Route 2, Crosby’s Corner
Mr. Snell reported that the Boston MPO TIP scheduling process is underway and the draft program shows the Crosby’s Corner project set back a year.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20pm.
Submitted by Catherine Perry
Approved August 9, 2006
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