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Selectmen – April 9, 2018 Page 2 of 9 at the discretion of the Planning Board and that unit designs are intended to be desirable for senior occupants. Mr. Valente said he has not seen changes to the motion that demonstrate what Ms. Walker referred to. As far as he is aware, the affordable and accessible housing percentages remain as they were when the Article 42 motion was last discussed by the Selectmen. Ms. Walker clarified that Mr. Daggett had not indicated he would change the motion; the Partnership is, instead, hopeful the Planning Board will develop specific definitions for accessibility after the article passes Town Meeting. Richard Canale, Chair of the Planning Board, concurred, saying that the Planning Board also wants Town Meeting to approve Article 42 so that definitions can be worked out at a later date. Mr. Pato reported that Mr. Daggett also presented to the Commission on Disabilities last week; although the Commission is very supportive of creating more accessible housing, it did not offer a position on Article 42 because members are unsure if the article will result in the desired housing. Bob Pressman, Housing Partnership member but speaking for himself, said he had been previously concerned that applying accessibility standards to all units would result in housing for which there is no market. In a recent discussion with Mr. Daggett, however, Mr. Pressman became reassured these accessible units would also be attractive to seniors. On that basis, he niw feels he can support Article 42. Mr. Pressman further supports the concept, expressed at a recent Planning Board meeting, that the Planning Board will be able to selectively apply accessibility standards when ruling on Special Permit applications. Betsey Weiss, 8 Dover Lane, said she supports the intent of Article 42 to create additional affordable housing but questions the implications and definition of the term “accessible”. She also feels that Article 42 has been rushed, especially noting that it deals with complex issues such as Open Space, Affordable Housing, and Accessible Housing. She is not sure, even if the zoning article passes, that so-called Shared Benefit housing would ever be built. Diane Biglow, 15 Bellflower Street, seconded Ms. Weiss’ sentiments. Mr. Lucente applauded Mr. Daggett for the in-depth, detailed, and painstaking work he has done on Article 42. However, he believes that the article is not ready for Town Meeting. To illustrate, Mr. Lucente said that over the weekend, he discussed the initiative with six different builders, none of which were comfortable with the direction of the initiative. Given the choice of Shared Benefits or conventional development, all six said they would choose the conventional approach. Mr. Lucente believes that the regulations currently in place already provide flexibility for the Planning Board to approve or reject any Special Permit application. Mr. Pato said he has a number of concerns about the Shared Benefits option as presented but believes the current bylaw is seriously flawed and has not provided the kind of housing Lexington needs. Mr. Pato thinks Article 42 needs more time to establish accessibility definitions. He noted that the Planning Board voted approval of Article 42 but he hopes Mr.