2004-03-10-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of March 10, 2004 2 beginning years. Mr. Kastorf concurred with Mr. Harden's points and added that the AvalonBay community should establish a visible "front door" on Concord Avenue with sidewalks and the like. Mr. Roberts responded that a sidewalk connecting to existing sidewalk on Concord Avenue is planned as well installation of a yellow light and crosswalk. Mr. Galaitsis indicated his belief that transportation service will need to be subsidized for the long term. He questions the number of school -age children and feels the development will be an "outlier" — citing a Citizens Housing and Planning Agency (CHAPA) analysis. Mr. Roberts described plans for Kline Hall in response to Mrs. Manz's query. AvalonBay will use 7,000 square feet of space for its operations and an exercise room; there will be dual purpose indoor basketball / theater seating area and 10,000 square feet on the terrace level. In answer to other questions Mr. Roberts indicated that parking for 130 cars will be provided. Some amenities, e.g. a dry cleaning establishment, are planned. Mr. Harden suggested adding an ATM. Mr. Davies indicated that he approves of the town -like feel of the overall design. Town Officials Questions and Comments: Sara Amold, Transportation Advisory Committee, thanked AvalonBay for recognizing Lexpress's importance as a link for the AvalonBay community to Lexington Center, indicated that the committee hopes for a larger donation that would fund a route that encompasses Lexington Square (as it is called for the time being). She indicated that consistent service that arrives at least once per hour is needed. Mr. Lance Prager of 178 Concord Avenue asked how this development could be prevented. Mr. Steve Heinrich, Chairman of the Board at Potter Pond, expressed his association's belief that the proposed development is much too large and will put too much pressure on the town for services. They fear that south Lexington is being sacrificed so the Town can achieve its goal of 10 percent of affordable housing even though that is a moving target. Mr. Richard Canale, 29 Shade Street, asked the Planning Board to consider "smart growth" principles, e.g., considering how the new community can be integrated into town life, and to work out with AvalonBay as many issues as possible before Article 13 comes up at Town Meeting. He asked if the Massachusetts Historical Society had been consulted. The answer was affirmative. Selectman Dawn McKenna indicated her skepticism of the developer's projection of the likely number of school -age children. She suggested that AvalonBay prepare to pay for each child in excess of their projection. She asked for a larger donation to Lexpress, saying it should be permanent and increase over the years. Town meeting member Loren Wood demonstrated his reasons for saying that 280 is the equitable number of units to build. Housing Partnership Board member Kenneth Kreutziger expressed the Board's support for AvalonBay's proposal, referring to goals stated in Lexington's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Kevin Johnson, South Lexington Civic Association, expressed the group's concern about the number of near -term proposed developments that will directly affect the quality of Iife for residents in south Lexington, including large developments just over the town line in Waltham. A number of Town Meeting members indicated their position that building fewer units would solve many of the impact problems foreseen. Mr. Roberts indicated that AvalonBay would defer to local preferences in terms of the selection process for residents of the affordable units, in response to Board of Appeals