1967-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD practical value of open space, swamps and trees for control of micro - climate, flooding and erosion, as well as its aesthetic value, have been recognized by the town and resulted in votes authorizing open space acquisitions. Our ability to negotiate and to purchase has been lagging behind the authorizations. The planning board proposes that more emphasis be placed on utilization of professional assistance to carry out the land acquisition program. It is believed that otherwise many essential purchases will be lost or else the price will in- crease beyond what the town is willing to pay. The saving due to the early acquisition at a lower price will be much greater than the cost of a negotiator. The urban beautification committee, authorized on recommendation of the planning board, has met with town officials, landscape architects and representatives of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It has become obvious that Lexington is committed in the years to come to increased expenditures for certain new programs having beautification aspects, such as the improvement of the center, or the landscaping and the development of playfields in the former Lincoln Street disposal area. The committee is con- tinuing its studies and will present an interim report to the 1968 Annual Town Meeting. The long range study, a federally supported study carried out by the consulting firm of Metcalf and Eddy, is expected to be completed in the near future. The results and recom- mendations will be distributed to town boards and officials, to town meeting members and will be available to other interested citizens prior to the 1968 Annual Town Meeting. Assist- ing Metcalf and Eddy were citizen study committees: 1. Population and Housing, 2. Schools and Education, 3. Roads and Circulation, 4. Public Works, 5. Recreation, Conservation, Parks, 6. Historic Values and Tourism, 7. Economic Resources, Tax Base, 8. Municipal Services and Buildings, and 9. Future Land Use. The planning board wishes to especially thank Mr. Robert V. Whitman, general chairman of the citizens planning organization, and the members of the above committees who contributed material essential to the study. In 1967 the planning board held forty -three meetings, one public information meeting and twenty -five advertised public hearings on zoning amendments and land subdivisions. In addition to endorsing fifty -three plans requiring no public hearing and approval, the planning board has approved six residential subdivisions with ninety new lots and 1.35 miles of new Planning Board L. to R. — Roland B. Greeley, Chairman, Alexander V. Zaleski, Planning Director, Natalie H. Riffin, Vice Chairman, Erik Lund, Francis T. Worrell, Evert N. Fowle 23