TOWN OF LINCOLN
MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Held on August 13, 2008
At 7:30 PM in the Lower Conference Room, Lincoln Town Offices
PRESENT: J.Snell (Vice Chairman), B.Wolf, K.Hurd, J.Craig
ABSENT: R.Domnitz
STAFF: M.Whitehead, C.Perry
7:30 PM BUSINESS:
Minutes
The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the meeting held on July 16th.
Discussion of violation: Fence permit, Lewandowski, 3 Bowles Terrace
Mr. Whitehead reported that the Building Inspector has followed up on concerns expressed by the Board at its last meeting. He showed photographs taken of the wall, with a measuring stick to indicate the height from the ground in front of the wall. It is clearly in excess of the height of five feet that was approved under the fence permit. The Board considered that the greater height made the wall unduly large for the site. Mr. Whitehead advised that the available enforcement action is to tell the applicant to lower the wall to five feet and if he does not comply to levy fines of up to $100 per day.
Mrs. Wolf also observed that Mr. Lewandowski does not appear to have carried out measures to restore accessibility to Bowles Terrace for fire trucks.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Hurd, to ask the Building Inspector to enforce the terms of the fence permit. Passed 4-0
Reports from committees:
At Risk Properties Committee
The committee’s report on the Arshad property is now on the town’s website. Mr. Whitehead reported that the developer’s option on the land has expired. Subdivision of the site for single family residential use may be pursued instead.
Comprehensive Long Range Plan
Two meetings are planned for September:
September 4th – Steering Committee meeting
September 16th – full CLRP Committee meeting to discuss the “full picture” and address areas of overlap between sub-committees.
A draft plan will be presented to the State of the Town Meeting in November, for public discussion, with the aim of preparing a final plan for March 2009 Town Meeting.
Lincoln Station mall project: lighting
Members of the Board were concerned about the effect of the lights that have been installed on the side of the new building near the entrance to the parking lot. The lights are believed to be the ones that were approved under the special permit. They are shielded from sending light upwards but a significant amount of sideways glare is being produced. Some members favored an informal discussion with the developers, the Rural Land Foundation.
Minuteman Commons
No further discussions have taken place. The developers are believed to be having a renewed attempt to sell the apartments.
Review of height rules in business zones
The Board reviewed a note prepared by Mrs. Perry setting out the history of the zoning bylaw height limits in the B-1 and B-2 districts. The current framework consists of regulations setting maximum heights for each business district (Sections 9.3.1 and 10.4.1) and rules for applying the regulations in all districts (Section 13.1). The Board discussed the rules in relation to the properties affected in South Lincoln. It was not inclined to propose a change at this time.
Appeals: Egendorf, 10 Tower Road and Verizon/Bell Atlantic, Tracey’s site
Updates from town counsel on the two appeals have been included in the Board’s packets for next week. Mr. Whitehead reported that Massachusetts DEP has denied Mr. Egendorf’s application for a variance for the septic system to serve the addition. He has forwarded the denial letter to town counsel.
Route 2, Crosby’s Corner Project
The Board asked Mr. Whitehead to check when the town will next need to be involved with the project.
8:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: HOBBS BROOK FARM PROPERTY CO, Reiling Pond Road, Map 33/Lots 11-6 & 11-7, request for amendment to cluster subdivision Special Permit to change building envelopes for lots 6 & 7 under Section 6.6.
Thomas Frisardi, attorney, represented the property company. He reviewed the background: the Pedinis’ house proposal for lot 6 did not conform to the approved building envelope. The Planning Board was concerned that if the building envelope for lot 6 was changed to allow the proposed design, it would be too close to the building envelope for lot 7. The applicant therefore also proposes to change the building envelope for lot 7, pulling it back from the lot line. The plan takes account of the Board’s informal suggestions and allows 45 feet between the two building envelopes at the closest point.
Mr. Whitehead reported that the Conservation Commission is satisfied with the revised building envelopes. The Board examined the plan and considered that it complies with its aims for the cluster subdivision. No comments were received from the public.
A MOTION was proposed by Mrs. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the amendment to the cluster subdivision special permit, as shown on the plan dated July 16th, 2008 Passed 4-0
The Board signed the decision. The Board signed one mylar plan and three copies.
8:20 PM PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION: PAUL AND CRISTINA PEDINI, 11 Reiling Pond Road, Map 33/Lot 11-6, site plan review for single family residence under Section 17.7.
Thomas Frisardi, attorney, represented the applicants. He stated that at the last meeting, the issues regarding the contours and the lighting were resolved. The plan could not be approved without an amendment to the building envelope under the subdivision special permit, which has now been approved.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Hurd and seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the site plan as presented. Passed 4-0
The Board signed the decision.
9:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Ballfield Road, Map 64/Lot 1, sign permit for new entrance sign to public school property under Section 16.5.
Karen Clarke, parent organizer for the Class of 2006, and Buckner Creel attended on behalf of the schools. They explained that the graduating class of 2006 agreed to provide a new sign for the school entrance as a gift. The sign will replace the existing one of a similar size. Mr. Creel added that if the Board likes the proposed design, the school plans to simplify and replace signage elsewhere on the campus in a similar manner.
A new drawing was supplied, with dimensions marked. The sign will be of wood, painted in Essex green (a dark green), supported on two granite posts. Raised PVC lettering is proposed. Two options for the arrangement of the lettering were presented. Ms. Clarke stated that the current sign is positioned 55 inches from the edge of the road and that it is proposed to place the new one 47 inches further back to improve sight lines for cars exiting the campus. No lighting is proposed for the sign, as a street light across the road provides illumination.
The Board welcomed the proposal to place the sign further back. It was satisfied with the color and general design of the sign but thought that raised PVC letters might attract pranksters. Ms. Clarke said that carved or applied lettering could be alternatives. It was agreed that carved lettering would be preferable. The Board preferred option 2 which had the top line of lettering arranged in a curve.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Hurd and seconded by Mrs. Wolf, to approve the sign, in 1½” thick wood with Essex green paint, with lettering option 2 and with carved lettering and ornamental lines, on granite posts, set 102” from the edge of the road. Passed 4-0
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Submitted by Catherine Perry
Approved August 20, 2008
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