TOWN OF LINCOLN
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
October 18, 2006
PRESENT: K.Hurd, B.Wolf, J.Snell, E.Flint
STAFF: M.Whitehead, C.Perry
7:30PM BUSINESS:
NSTAR Tree cutting, various town roads
The Chairman signed a letter to the Selectmen conveying the results of the hearing.
Ventresca, 0 South Great Road
Mr. Whitehead reported that the applicants have submitted information relating to the conditions of the site plan approval, including lighting choices, information on plantings, an explanation and a letter of satisfaction from the neighbors. They have amended the site plan document accordingly.
The Board was satisfied with the information submitted, and asked Mr. Whitehead to draft a letter for the Chairman to sign.
Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee
A meeting has been scheduled for Monday morning, for Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Hurd and Mr. Higgins to discuss the next steps.
New England Deaconess Project
Mr. Whitehead reported that a conditional letter of commitment has been received from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Minuteman Commons, Virginia Road
A revised set of documents for the condominium development has been received. The applicants have also sent it to DHCD.
Brooks, 39 North Great Road
Following the denial of site plan approval, Mr. Whitehead has spoken to Kingsley Brooks and advised him of his options.
Special Town Meeting, November 4
The Board discussed the order of proceedings. Looking ahead to the next stage, Mr. Whitehead referred the Board to Section 12.5.8 (d) of the Zoning Bylaw for the criteria that will be applied in considering a special permit for the definitive development and use plan. The project cannot be enlarged after Town Meeting.
Mr. Hurd said that he would like NEDA to provide clear information on traffic provision for the situations before, during and after Route 2 reconstruction. Mr. Snell offered to take this up with NEDA.
8:00PM PUBLIC HEARING: JOHN AND LAURIE DUMONT, 4 Underwood Circle, Map 117/Lot 1, site plan review for a new single family residence under Section 17.7
John and Laurie Dumont introduced themselves. Mr. Dumont presented the site plan, for a new house on a lot abutting the Wayland town line. It is on a private cul de sac. Mr. Dumont mentioned that when the road was paved a few years ago, permission was received to use a 60ft radius rather than 90ft.
The site is flat and largely open grassland. Photographs were supplied. The Board asked about trees; the applicants stated that there were only a few, on the periphery of the site.
The Board enquired about lighting. Only entrance lights are proposed; they are indicated on the plan and a catalog cut has been supplied. The Board was satisfied with this.
Mr. Dumont said that the house has been designed to settle into the land. The Board thought the height was acceptable.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Snell and seconded by Mrs. Wolf, to approve the site plan as submitted, with standard conditions. Passed 4-0.
8:20PM PUBLIC HEARING: JEFF AND ELOISE PATTERSON, 15 Beaver Pond Road, Map 74/Lot 21, site plan review for an addition to a single family residence under Section 17.7.
Jeff and Eloise Patterson introduced themselves and their architects from Design Associates of Cambridge. They presented their proposal for an addition to an existing dwelling. It is on a legal non conforming lot, and will also need approvals from the ZBA and the Conservation Commission. Woodland Way is a paper road that is used for the driveway. The application is for a single story rear addition of approximately 15ft square, to accommodate a breakfast room. It is planned in conjunction with a renovation of the interior of the house. Floorspace calculations were provided.
The Board asked about external lighting. Lights are proposed at the front door and the breakfast room door. These will need to be marked on the plan.
Mrs. Wolf commented that the proposed addition seemed to be fairly discreet. The Board examined photographs of the site.
A neighbor, Diana Marshall, said that she was the nearest abutter and had no comments.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Snell and seconded by Mrs. Wolf, to approve the site plan as submitted, subject to standard conditions, plus submission of the lighting positions marked on the plan. Passed 4-0.
8:40PM PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION: RURAL LAND FOUNDATION, 145 Lincoln Road, Map 95/Lot 38, Preliminary Development and Use Plan, South Lincoln Overlay Zone, renovation of Mall and new Post Office/Café complex under Section 12.7.
The project team attended to provide an update for the Planning Board. David Albrecht pointed out proposed changes to the submitted plan. The access point near Lincoln Woods has been shifted further from the property line. It could be converted to two way operation in future if this was found to be desirable. The proposal allows the best old tree to be kept. The number of proposed parking spaces is now 166, which is less than previously proposed but still a gain on the current situation. There will be four spaces in reserve in the green space. The changes to the parking and access layout are expected to make minimal difference to vehicles’ entering and exiting times.
The new building group has been shifted by just 5½ feet and a curb has been replaced with bollards, to allow adequate width for two vehicles between the building and the railroad, in case of need for emergency access. The Board suggested adding a piece of low curb near the road frontage to deter vehicles from entering here.
The testing with Codman Farm vehicles showed no problem with the existing tight turn at the commuter lot but an adjustment will be made to allow some ease. A connection for pedestrians from Lincoln Woods and the commuter parking has been provided, with a ramped path and crosswalk. This is not intended for use with shopping carts. Lighting columns will need to be arranged suitably. A ramp has also been added onto the sidewalk at the rear of the supermarket. Other pedestrian routes have been considered and there will be three crosswalks at Lincoln Road (including the one next to the railroad).
Mr. Snell asked how much the green space in front of the restaurant would change. The design team said that there will be a slight reduction, but it will still be comparable with the existing space beside Donelan’s.
The Board generally welcomed the changes presented; a straw poll was unanimously in favor. The Board advised the RLF to show the reserve parking spaces on the plan.
A resident asked if the revised access position could be staked out. The RLF was agreeable to moving the existing stakes.
Ed Nardi reported that following discussions with the Planning Board, the team has discussed the positioning of Donelans’ entrance further with the store owners, who intend to examine the effect of an entrance closer to the walkway.
Ken Bassett reported that there have been discussions about the covered walkway, the architectural facades and the treatment of the green spaces. The RLF is concerned about the total cost of the non-rentable elements, and would like guidance on priorities. The Chairman suggested the covered walkways as the first priority, and the public facades of Donelan’s as the second. Lincoln Woods representatives echoed these priorities. The RLF said they would be able to consider a covered walkway around the open space leading to Lincoln Woods. The Chairman considered it important to design this area well.
Mrs. Wolf said she thought it would be important to address enforcement of commuter parking rules. The RLF said that this would be a concern for themselves, and the Selectmen are also believed to be interested.
Mr. Whitehead reminded the Board and the RLF that changes to the materials submitted for the Planning Board hearing can be made in writing, if endorsed by the Planning Board, up to two days before Town Meeting, provided the changes are not inconsistent with the information presented at the hearing.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm.
Submitted by Catherine Perry
Approved as amended January 31, 2007
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