2004-02-25-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of February 25, 2004 At this time AvalonBay, the developers of the Metropolitan State Hospital, have offered an upfront payment of $75,000 to get Lexpress to the site, a sheltered bus stop, commuter services possibly utilizing the Route 128 Business Council Shuttle, and funds to offset school bus costs. The site on Spring Street brings different issues. Patriot Partners have offered $25,000 to Lexpress while Brookhaven has offered $1,000. Mr. Kastorf said that the Met State Task Force had clearly passed along to Avalon that issues needed to be addressed, including the following: the Lexpress contribution needed to be yearly; van service to Alewife, similar to what Windsor Village in Waltham is offering; sidewalk, bus stop and bike storage; intersection mitigation at the Parkway and Concord, Concord and Pleasant, Concord and Waltham, and any d -grade post - construction intersections. MR. Harden said he would like more focus on TDM measures rather than intersections_ Ms_ Arnold said that there needed to be a consumer price index escalator on any funds offered. Mr. Garber cautioned that an on -going impact fee could be seen as a tax and may be a problem. A voluntary public service contribution is appropriate versus a tax or fee_ Mr. Harden wondered where this would place the $75,000 to Lexpress. He said a fine line seems to be if it is a requirement versus a discussion of what would be offered. Mr_ Graham said that TAC has been working with Met State and wondered what advice the Planning Board wanted from them. Should they comment on the specific TDMs proposed or should they actively work with Avalon? Mr. Kastorf suggested that the TAC be prepared to comment on what ha been proposed at the March 10 hearing so that Avalon has an opportunity to close this issue. Mr. Graham asked if was appropriate to have the TAC work with the developers. Mr_ Davies said that it would be helpful. Ms. Arnold said they wanted to be sure they were on the same page. There was agreement that more work was needed with all of the developments and it might require another meeting of the TAC and the Planning Board. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Article 4, CD -6 to CRO, 12 -18 Hartwell Avenue, Public Hearin Mr. Harden opened the public hearing on Article 4, a petition to rezone property at 12 -18 Hartwell Avenue from CD -6 to CRO, Regional Office_ Mr. John Farrington, attorney represeotirkg the owner/petitioner, JOSCO Realty Trust, explained why a rezoning of the land is desired. The 1986 Town Meeting approved rezoning of the property from CRO to CD-6 to accommodate a proposed Hilton Hotel on the site. For a number of economy - related reasons, that hotel was never built and subsequent efforts to interest other hotel chains were unsuccessful, as the building defined in the approved Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan was regarded as too small to be economically viable. Since that tune, the special zoning for the site causes complications whenever the inances of the owner are restructured. Returning the property to the CRO zoning designation would help solve the owner's problems and fulfill the Town's preference for consistency within a zoning district. The Board had no comments and there were rjo comments or questions from the audience. The hearing was closed at 7:50 p.m. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to make a favorable recommendation to Town Meeting on Article 4. Article 5, R {J to RD, Rangeway R a Lp 90, L of 64, LexU B. Public Hearing Mr. Harden opened the- public hearing on the Lexington Bousing Assistance Board's petition to rezone Town -owned land, Lot 64 on .Assessors Map 90 on Rangewa_y, frorxi RO, Single- famizy, to RD, Planned Residential Development Mr_ Marshall Derby LexHAB's chairman, explained that LexHAB plans to build a di plea house that would add two affordable dwelling -:nits to the town's. affordable housing inventory. Features of the plan are-