2004-10-06-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER b, 2004 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Harden, Manz and planning staff McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES Redevelopment of Metropolitan State Hospital, AvalonBay Communities Inc The AvalonBay development team for Met State site was present to show the Board the plans that it will submit to the Board of Appeals for a special permit. It will be heard on October 14. Mr. Michael Roberts explained the reasons for several changes to the site plan, a number of which would require variances. Others improve circulation and make the "green" more inviting. In response to Board member questions, the following was learned: — Work on the Metropolitan Parkway is out to bid. It is hoped that construction will start on the parkway by the end of the year. AvalonBay anticipates getting a building permit by the end of March. — Farade materials will be a combination of brick and vinyl siding. — Restrooms in the shared areas e.g., Kline Hall, will be refurbished. AvalonBay will provide standard specifications for the areas in which it has offered "shell" construction. — Weston & Sampson, engineers, will review the plans for the Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission. In response to Mr. Kastorf s question, Mr. Roberts said that the Board would be able to visit the site periodically during construction. He agreed to send the Board copies of the elevation drawings. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** LEXINGTON CENTER INITIATIVE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Joint Meeting with the Lexington Center Committee Present for the joint meeting were the following members of the Center Committee: Mr. Jerome Smith, Ms. Mary Jo Bohart, Ms. Joan Zhaka, Ms. Daphne Politis, Mr. Richard Pagett, Mr. William Levison, and Mr. Jerry Michelson. The major topic of discussion was parldng in the central business district, using Mr. Harden's memo as a guide. Basic questions are: do the parking regulations help the situation; and, would their absence make it worse? Things to consider: A master plan for the central business district Connectivity improvements Parking overflow into surrounding neighborhoods The importance of public transit A parking structure Look at parking separately from the uses Vitality of business mix Allowing residential uses on upper floors of buildings. Selectman Richard Pagett noted that the unenforceability of the parking regulations engenders cynicism. He also reported that at the Selectmen's goal setting session on September 22, center business district issues were unanimously seen by the members as a priority. Many other priority items were within the Planning Board's purview. These included the subjects discussed tonight as well as re- examining the commercial floor area ratio regulations, restoring the economic development officer position and resolving the traffic mitigation funds issue. He indicated that the Selectmen wish to find the best way to work with the Planning Board and Center Committee, recognizing that they set their own agendas.