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

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Minutes for the Meeting of February 25, 2004 4 Mr. Levin said that the committee is trying to address the rigid, and "fictional ", nature of the center parking bylaw, which attempts to allocate imaginary parking spaces. The drafters of the proposed amendment want to provide the Board of Appeals with flexibility to deal with the needs of desirable businesses that want to locate in Lexington but cannot due to the parking formulas for the center. Another key aim of the committee is to create a center that has better signage and more clearly marked walkways to and from parking areas, more pleasant, well - lighted walkways and additional bike racks. Re- siting durrrpsters could also help. A familiar complaint is that the Town's Meriam Street parking lot is not well marked and if people do find it and see the attendant's kiosk, they have no idea what it will cost therm to drive in and park there — whether it is 50 cents or five dollars, or more. Center Committee members realize that someday there will need to be a "big fix" to the parking problem, but until then, they believe that their proposal would improve things for businesses and make it easier for 'would be' businesses in Lexington center. The balancing of a variety of businesses whose hours of operation are staged and which would not impinge on each others' parking needs could be accomplished by giving the Board of Appeals the flexibility the proposed amendment would provide. Board Questions and Comments: Board members shared a concern about the lack of objective standards to be used in issuing a special permit. Mr_ Harden foresaw litigation from those who were turned down. Mr. Davies predicted an "Oklahoma Land Rush " -type response by new businesses_ Mr. Levin responded that there are standards and a requirement for the Board of Appeals to find that there is enough parking for a particular use. Andience Questions and Comments: Mr. Julian Bussgang, 2 Forest Street, and Mr. Richard Michelson, Michelson's Shoes, expressed their doubt this approach would work. Mr. Levin responded that their amendment gives downtown neighborhoods protection from overflow parking- Other issues raised that will affect center parking includcd: employees of center businesses are part of the problem using parking spaces that are meant for customers the effect of the new liquor license law on parking demand m the library's move from Cary Hall the Historical Society's restoration of the old Depot at Depot Square ® the opening of Cohoes in the former Decelle's building The hearing was closed at 10.00 p.m. Gle Road South Prclimina Cluster Subdivision Pl an, Oberteuffer,'Mockett, Pub lic Information Mleetmf_17 Mr. Harden opened the public informational meeting on the preliminary cluster subdivision plan for land at the intersection of Grant Street and Glen Road South submitted by Mr. John Oberteurffer and Katherine Mockett_ Mr. Oberieuffer and Ms. Mockett were present along with Michael Dryden, landscape architect, and Dylan .Fames, both of Meridian Associates. Mr_ Dryden presented plans showing a three -lot subdivision which includes 2 new houses fronting on Grant Street and an existing house on Glen Road South_ Reconstruction of about 85 feet of Glen Road South is proposed, onto which the driveway of the corner house would connect. Mr. Dryden indicated it would provide better traction for automobiles turning onto Grant Street than the current dirt surface_ Boa r�uestions a r v d Qq Board questions included: �.._. Is Glen Road South accessible to emergency vehicles'? Yes. What sizes will the houses be? One - will be approximately 3,575 square feet and the other 3,450 square feet of gross floor area- 0 What mechanism will assure the permanence of the undeveloped land's open state? A condition