2007-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning ROLE: Together with the Town's P l a n n i n g Department, to engage in both short- and long- Expenditures Payroll FY07 FY06 $1881981 $1951945 Expenses $ 83345 $ 81345 Personnel Full Time 3.4 3.4 term planning with regard to all growth and development issues and pro- posals. Specific responsibilities include: to prepare and implement the Comprehensive Plan; to administer subdivi- sion regulations in accordance with state law; to review residential special permit applications and unaccepted street applications; to represent the Town in inter -town land use projects; to provide technical support and hearing functions for major rezoning /development proposals and on citizen and owner - generated zoning amendments; and to prepare zoning initiatives and amendments which are proposed by the Planning Board to Town Meeting. The Planning Board and the Planning Department also act as stewards of the Zoning By -law and Development Regulations, and as initiators of new policy proposals in housing, land use and transportation. The Planning Department provides support to the Planning Board, the Town Manager, Town departments and appointed commit- tees, and supplies technical expertise in analyzing econom- ic, demographic, and development trends in Lexington and the region. It also responds to requests for help and infor- mation from citizens and other parties. PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED for 3 -year terms: Chair Charles Hornig, Vice Chair Gregory Zurlo, Clerk Wendy Manz, Anthony Galaitsis, and Richard Canale. PLANNING STAFF APPOINTED by the Town Manager: Planning Director Maryann McCall - Taylor, Senior Planner Aaron Henry, Planner Christine McVay, and Department Clerk Lori Kaufman. HIGHLIGHTS • The Inclusionary Housing bylaw was presented to the Annual Town Meeting where it was defeated. While Town Meeting members expressed support of affordable hous- ing, they felt that this measure would unfairly burden a small portion of the population. It was suggested that the funds from the Community Preservation Act, which come from all taxpayers, might be used to develop affordable housing. • Worked on the applications necessary to have the Town designate the commercial areas as an Economic Target Area. This in turn allowed the establishment of an Economic Opportunity Area within which a company can negotiate for tax incremental financing ( TIF) . Shire Pharmaceuticals entered into a TIF agreement with the Town, following the positive vote of Town Meeting. • Working with the Tree Committee, drafted changes to make the tree bylaw and the zoning bylaw consistent. Town Meeting passed the articles. • Re -wrote the residential development section of the Zoning Bylaw, commonly known as the cluster bylaw, uti- lizing a smart - growth grant from the state. It will be placed on the 2008 Town Meeting warrant. • A team from the planning, engineering and conservation departments drafted a stormwater bylaw that will meet continued on next page Seated, left to right: Maryann McCall - Taylor, Richard Canale, Greg Zurlo, Charles Hornig, Anthony Galaitsis, Wendy Manz. Standing, left to right: Lori Kaufman, Aaron Henry. 2007 Annual Report, Town of Lexington Page 55 0 1+ 0 0 Q rD