2008-10-22-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 22, 2008 ?? Someone pointed out that residents would ask for tax abatements, and wondered how that would affect the financial projections. ?? A citizen stated that he bought in Lexington five years ago because liked the woods and open space and now they want to build on conservation land and throw all the rules out the window. He was not opposed to change but asked that all aspects be considered, including protecting the residents. ?? Someone said that people could not be forced to take public transportation and also wondered how compliance could be monitored or enforced. He asked that a TDM procedure be put in place first, that time was a huge constraint, and that the special permit procedure requires that the design be compatible with the natural character of the surrounding area. ?? Another person remarked that he went away for five years and when he came back he was surprised by the amount of traffic. ?? Written statements were prepared by citizens and submitted to the Planning Board. ?? Someone expressed his pleasure about a contribution to LexPress being included in the proposal. ?? One was taken aback by the mass of the building, and wondered whether there was any other building that tall in Lexington. ?? Someone pointed out that the Cecil report indicated that 0.15 FAR was not typical of the towns in this area. On the other hand, he felt that was the point that made Lexington special. ?? Ledgemont is a high quality development, but needs to consider traffic enforcement. ?? Looking at revenue enhancements alone, but without consideration given to the local impacts, the Town would view this proposal as a gain. However, the Planning Board would not be doing planning, if it neglected the impacts. ?? Someone stated that even though the proposed features do not apply to other areas, this CD proposal would set a precedent regarding height and traffic impacts. And, he suggested no haste especially in view of the current vacancies. ?? A Ledgemont-III abutter selling a property in the area would be affected negatively because it seemed the building would be quite visible when the leaves are off the trees. ?? When Phase II was done on this site, abutters were told that the site was built out, that the Phase II development would be the last thing built on the property and that commercial development would not impact on the residential properties. The proposed Ledgemont III building would bring more drivers, and would impact the quality of life of the abutters and the woods, which were supposed to be a buffer zone. ?? Someone disagreed that the Planning Board does not have jurisdiction over traffic and stated that