TOWN OF LINCOLN
MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Held on October 1, 2008
At 7:30 PM in the Donaldson Room, Lincoln Town Offices
PRESENT: R.Domnitz (Chairman), J.Craig, J.Snell, K.Hurd ABSENT: B.Wolf
STAFF: M.Whitehead, C.Perry
7:30 PM BUSINESS:
Minutes
The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 17th with amendments.
Meeting Schedule
The Board agreed to cancel the meeting on October 8th.
8:00 PM WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION: EGENDORF, 10 Tower Road, Map 74/Lot 24, site plan review for an addition to existing single family residence under Section 17.7.
The Board discussed a letter of advice from town counsel.
A MOTION was proposed by Mr. Hurd and seconded by Mr. Snell, to accept the withdrawal of the application. Passed 4-0
The Chairman will report this action to town counsel and discuss the status of the related court case.
9:00 PM ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENT: RURAL LAND FOUNDATION, 145 Lincoln Road, Map 95/Lot 38, compliance with special condition #2 regarding restaurant use as required in the Special Permit for Lincoln Station dated May 23, 2007.
Geoff McGean, representing the RLF, reported that some issues arose in connection with the restaurant’s application to the Board of Health. As a result, the RLF is requesting a continuation of the Planning Board’s review until a later date. The Planning Board received copies of a letter setting out the Board of Health’s concerns, primarily about locating the kitchen in the basement. Mr. McGean further reported that at this evening’s Board of Health meeting, the concerns have been addressed with further information about measures that will be used to keep the basement dry, and the BoH was satisfied.
It was agreed that the RLF will return to the Planning Board with the necessary information for its review. The Chairman reported that the Planning Board has consulted Lexington about its approach to reviewing restaurants, but no additional issues have been identified. Mr. Hurd pointed out that the design of the exterior of the building assumed that there would be a first floor kitchen, and there may now be an opportunity to make the rear elevation more attractive. Mr. Domnitz asked for information to be presented about seating capacity and any regulations or approvals that govern it such as building code and Fire Department approval. Mr. McGean mentioned that the Board of Selectmen intends to consider the liquor license and common victualler’s license applications together, after the Planning Board’s decision. The Board agreed to allow the RLF to submit signage separately at a later date if necessary.
The Board agreed to continue its review to October 15th at 9:00 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Discussion Items:
1) Verizon/ Bell Atlantic appeal, Tracey’s site: Cunningham property trees
Mr. Whitehead reported that the Cunningham family is in favor of keeping the requirement for Verizon to plant trees to screen the view of its facility from their property. In view of their position, the Board was in favor of continuing to press for the tree planting condition that was carried forward from the previous special permit decision. In case Verizon was more amenable to paying a sum of money to cover the work, the Board asked staff to obtain an estimate for the cost of providing and planting six, six foot pine trees.
2) Building height in B1/B2 Districts
The Board continued the discussion that it began on August 13th. It considered that any review of the height rules for the business districts would require a careful study, including a survey of the properties affected. Therefore it did not wish to take action at this time.
3) Special Revenue funds
Staff provided a worksheet of special revenue funds held by the town and a list of potentially relevant references from the zoning bylaw and the subdivision rules and regulations. Mr. Whitehead outlined what he knew about the various special revenue funds. Two are based on warrant articles passed by Town Meeting, the main one of these being funding for the consultants on the Comprehensive Long Range Plan. One is based on grant funding from MAPC for bicycle racks; the racks were installed and the small negative balance shown is a result of shipping costs that were not covered. Three revolving funds are for planning review fees, two of which are for projects that have been identified. There are five town agency funds, of which the larger ones are guaranteed bid deposits for completion of subdivision roads.
These appear to date back many years and the details needed to determine appropriate action are not apparent. A sum deposited by Sprint is labeled as a security deposit, which may have been required by a condition.
The Board asked Mr. Whitehead to check if the Accounting Department has any more information about the development-related funds, such as when the money was received, from whom, and to what parcel it relates.
4) Draft State Of The Town Report
Mrs. Perry had drafted a report. The Board reviewed it and made some amendments.
5) Comprehensive Long Range Plan timeline
The Board’s packets included a revised timeline, incorporating a date for the Planning Board’s vote on the plan. The Board discussed its need to review the draft plan and the procedure for making any changes. It was agreed that the Board will need to pay careful attention to the materials presented at the State of the Town Meeting, which it can discuss on November 12th. Members can then attend the follow-on meeting scheduled for November 18th to make any comments on major points.
Committee Reports:
At Risk Properties
The Committee presented its report to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board on Monday September 22nd. The meeting was well-attended and the report was reviewed.
Town Planner’s Report:
A Planning Calendar for the Annual Town Meeting was included in the Board’s packets.
The Land Use Group exchanged information on projects that are going to several boards. The First Parish Church has asked to discuss with the Planning Board the process of applying for exemptions under Section 19.1 e. It is planning a rear addition/ renovation. A preliminary discussion has been scheduled for November 5th. The scope of this could include an alternative route via the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mr. Snell and Mr. Whitehead will be attending a meeting with the Executive Office of Transportation, concerning Right of Way funding for the Route 2 Crosby’s Corner project, on Friday October 3rd.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Submitted by Catherine Perry
Approved October 15, 2008
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