TOWN OF LINCOLN
MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Held on May 21, 2008
At 7:30 PM in the Donaldson Room, Lincoln Town Offices
PRESENT: R.Domnitz (Chairman), J.Snell, B.Wolf, J.Craig, K.Hurd
STAFF: M.Whitehead, C.Perry
7:30 PM BUSINESS:
Minutes
The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of previous meetings as follows:
April 9 – Approved with amendments
April 16 – Approved as submitted
May 7 – Approved with amendments
Levy, 38 Tower Road
The Board signed the decision granting site plan and scenic road/ curb cut approval for an addition to a house.
Brodney, 10 Huntley Lane
The Chairman signed a letter to the Building Inspector informing him of the Board’s denial of a minor change for the additional lights.
7:45 PM REQUEST FOR ANR DETERMINATION: RURAL LAND FOUNDATION, 26 Tabor Hill Road, Map 49/Lot 8
Geoff McGean presented a plan for the Millard property. The plan shows a paper street that has been constructed as far as the current house; if fully built it would connect through to Trapelo Road. Mr. McGean said that the proposal is to divide the five acre parcel into three portions. One contains the house and will become a smaller lot. The second portion is intended to be drawn as a buildable lot but the idea is that it will be purchased by the RLF for conservation. A third, smaller, portion is proposed to be donated for conservation. Mr. McGean said that if the proposed deal goes through, the intention is to extinguish the right of way along the paper street.
The Board was unsure about the status of the paper street and whether it could be used as frontage for a buildable lot, either as of right or through subdivision approval. The RLF agreed to resubmit the plan to allow the Board time to seek clarification. The matter will be rescheduled for June 4th.
8:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS, PC, Yagjian Site, 37 Cambridge Turnpike, Map 24/Lot 1, renewal of special permit and replacement of antennas under Section 12.6.
Scott Lacy and Eric Campbell represented Cingular. A pre-application conference was held on March 19th. Mr. Lacy stated that Cingular is the owner of this tower. The previous special permit had a five year time limit and therefore there is a need for renewal. Cingular also wishes to replace its equipment on the tower consisting of antennas, and diplexers and amplifiers which are small devices behind the antennas. The company still considers it has a need for the facility. Coverage maps were supplied, together with a site plan and technical specifications.
A radio frequency report was submitted, with an addendum to address the issue of new residential construction nearby. The representatives said that the addendum references a 65 foot building at a distance of 25 feet from the tower, and concludes that the proposal will be compliant with emissions guidelines. The Board examined the charts illustrating radio frequency emissions levels and was satisfied.
The Board had previously requested information about a generator that was said to be for shared use with Sprint which operates from the other nearby tower on this lot. Cingular stated that the generator was previously owned by Sprint and is now owned by Crown Castle. Cingular is a tenant of it. The generator is used for back up power and is tested periodically. Cingular did not supply any further information. The Board stated that it wished to examine noise issues in view of the residential development underway on the adjacent Deaconess site, and asked for information on noise emissions such as equipment specifications, any shrouding in place, and times of testing. Photographs of the generator equipment would also be helpful. Cingular agreed to email information to Mr. Whitehead.
The Chairman mentioned that the town has written to Sprint concerning discrepancies between the current situation on its site and what was approved, including failure to install a shield on the light. Also a meeting has been arranged between the Planning Board and the FAA to check that the shield is acceptable to the FAA (as the manufacturers claim it is). The Chairman asked whether Cingular had looked into fitting a shield to the light on its tower, as discussed at the preliminary meeting. Cingular responded that it was considering this. The Board stated that a shield was likely to be required as a condition.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Snell, to continue the hearing to June 18th at 8:20 PM. Passed 5-0
8:20 PM PUBLIC HEARING: NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS, PC, Tracey’s Site, 0 Bedford Road (rear of 131 Cambridge Turnpike), Map 29/Lot 25, renewal of special permit and replacement of antennas under Section 12.6.
Scott Lacy and Eric Campbell represented Cingular. A pre-application conference was held on March 19th. Cingular occupies the second position from the top of the tower, at 76 feet. The tower owner is Omnipoint. Cingular stated that it proposes to replace its current three antennas with six smaller ones, and hopes to be able to carry out the work as soon as possible. Cingular’s previous special permit for this facility was not time-limited. No generator is proposed. Cingular has some battery back-up.
A radio frequency report and coverage maps were submitted, together with a site plan and technical specifications.
The Chairman stated that Verizon was asked recently to have a shield fitted to the light on this tower, but has appealed the relevant condition on its special permit. The Board discussed whether it should apply a similar condition in Cingular’s case. Mr. Lacy argued that Cingular lacks sufficient control to implement such a condition.
Mr. Snell recalled that, at the pre-application conference, he asked for a note to be made on the plan to deter visiting technicians from using Rockwood Lane for access. He checked the wording on the plan and suggested that it be amended by substituting “through private driveway” for “along this route” to make the reason clearer.
Abutters were notified of the hearing but no comments were received.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Hurd, to close the public hearing. Passed 5-0
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Domnitz and seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the special permit for five years with a change to the notation on the plan as suggested by Mr. Snell. Passed 5-0
8:40 PM PUBLIC HEARING: NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS, PC, Public Safety Site, 169 Lincoln Road, Map 96/Lot 2, renewal of special permit and replacement of antennas under Section 12.6.
Scott Lacy and Eric Campbell represented Cingular. A pre-application conference was held on March 19th. Mr. Lacy explained that Cingular wishes to renew its time-limited special permit and to replace its antennas. The antennas are mounted inside the pole and are therefore not visible. A radio frequency report and coverage maps were submitted, together with a site plan and technical specifications.
Abutters were notified but no comments were received.
The Board had previously asked whether it would be technically feasible to increase the height of this tower. Cingular reported that the foundation allows for a 100 foot pole but if the pole needed to be replaced rather than extended, there would be a need for temporary accommodations for the existing users. The Chairman commented that for one additional carrier, a height of 100 feet would be almost as good as 120 feet in terms of achieving coverage in the west Lincoln area, since line of sight would be achieved at either height.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Snell, to close the public hearing. Passed 5-0
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the special permit for five years. Passed 5-0
9:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: COUNTRYSIDE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT CORP., 300 South Great Road, Map 119/Lot 19, site plan review for single family residence under Sections 6.0.1 & 17.7.
Ken Eisner of Countryside Building and Development Corporation introduced his proposal for a new single family house on the site formerly known as Aunt Sadie’s farmstand. Mr. Eisner has a purchase and sale agreement. A site plan for a house on this lot was approved previously. The applicant said that compared to the previous design, his proposal was for a smaller house, set back further from the street, and with one curb cut instead of two. The proposed four bedroom house has 1½ stories plus a walkout basement. The septic system will be located at the front. No preliminary meeting was held since the floorspace is less than 4,000 sq ft.
Mr. Eisner said that he had taken into account two issues that were discussed at hearings into the previous proposal: the need for continuity of the roadside path, and the orientation of the driveway in relation to a neighbor. A portion of roadside path will be rebuilt, alongside the road but curving around a large tree, to replace the use of an area of private driveway on the site. The Board asked Mr. Whitehead to clarify the procedure for approval of work in the right of way.
Mr. Eisner stated that the Conservation Commission has approved the plan and that the Zoning Board of Appeals has approved it subject to the Planning Board’s approval.
The Board examined the site plan and elevations. It asked about the extent of tree cutting. The applicant said this was similar to the previous proposal. It was pointed out that the trees near the rear of the house are incorrectly shown as to remain rather than to be removed. Mr. Eisner agreed to have the plan corrected. A small berm is proposed along the road frontage, with hemlocks for screening.
Exterior lighting was discussed. Mr. Eisner said he proposed to have 50W recessed lights in the soffits of the house. Numbers and positions of these lights were not indicated. The Board stated that it normally only allows enough lighting for safety at entrances, and not for illuminating the façade. The applicant agreed to mark the positions of lights on the drawings. At the driveway entrance, two 25W small lights are proposed in front of two stone bollards, similar to those approved at Mr. Eisner’s house on Tower Road. The Board pointed out that the catalog cut sheet showed the use of 35W bulbs. Mr. Eisner agreed to correct this.
The Board received an email letter from Barbara Peskin of 299 South Great Road. Ms. Peskin attended the hearing and asked about the size of the lights proposed for the driveway entrance. Mr. Eisner confirmed that they are small, measuring 6” across. Ms. Peskin suggested that lights at driveways are unnecessary and disrupt the rural feel of the road, which she said was quiet outside the rush hour. She drew attention to a street light on South Great Road across from the driveway. She also commented that she considered Mr. Eisner’s Tower Road house to be over-lit and said that she hoped this one would be less bright. Ms. Peskin asked about wetlands to the rear of the lot where she said there was a vernal pool. Mr. Eisner responded that the Conservation Commission reviewed the previous house plan
and he asserted that this plan has no greater impact. Ms. Peskin asked about the treatment of the large tree on the road frontage. Mr. Eisner said that half the tree is dead and is earmarked by the town for removal, but the remainder would be kept. Ms. Peskin questioned the loss of buffer vegetation at the eastern side of the lot. Mr. Eisner responded that it would be bad practice to keep tall trees close to a house and that as he is the owner of the adjacent lot, there is no third party to protect. The Board thought some screen planting may be needed.
The Board asked about the build up of grades on the northeast side of the house, and about a drain that is planned to run across the adjacent lot to the rear property line close to wetlands. The Board stated that it normally requires drainage to be handled within the lot. Mr. Eisner said that the drain is to relieve potential seasonal high water at the basement. The basement is set six inches lower than that of the previously approved house. The Chairman suggested that it may be better to raise the basement elevation by six inches. Mr. Whitehead undertook to discuss the drain with conservation staff.
The Board checked the grades at the front of the house and said it would consider whether to require a small berm across the driveway to prevent drainage onto the road.
Mrs. Wolf asked what was intended for the adjoining lot on the corner of Tower Road; Mr. Eisner said he may build a smaller house.
The Board agreed to visit the site individually.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Hurd, to continue the hearing to June 4th at 9:20 PM. Passed 5-0
OTHER BUSINESS:
Deaconess, 17-19 Cambridge Turnpike
Mr. Whitehead reported that plans have been supplied showing the proposed changes.
Compilation of minutes for searching
The Chairman asked Mrs. Perry to merge all minutes or agendas for each year into one document for easier searching.
Garden Club Report
Mr. Hurd distributed copies of a report produced by the Garden Club on treatment of roadsides, which he considered useful.
Mass Audubon, Lincoln Road/ South Great Road
The Chairman reported that a document from the 1940s concerning Mass Audubon’s mission has been found. The mission appears to include an educational element.
Mr. Whitehead reported that the Building Inspector has determined that the parking requirement that applies to the pre-school is the one for schools. Mass Audubon has a plan which satisfies it, with a loop arrangement but not going around the garage. The widening that is proposed for the driveway does not affect trees or stone walls in the right of way, so the Selectmen will make the decision on the change to the curb cut. The hearing is likely to be on June 23rd. The Planning Board may make a recommendation.
Committee Reports
Mrs. Wolf reported from the At Risk Properties Committee; the Selectmen are now writing a report on the findings on the Arshad property.
The CLRP Land Use and Economic Development sub-committee will meet on Tuesday.
Planning Board summer schedule
The Board agreed to cancel the July 2nd meeting and to meet on July 9th, July 16th, August 13th and August 20th.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 PM.
Submitted by Catherine Perry
Approved as amended June 4, 2008
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