2004-11-03-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of November 3, 2004 2 site from the Gravestar shopping center parking lot. Mr. Rogers indicated that he is working with the Gravestar Company, Mr. James Freehling at Brookhaven, Waltham council members and Representative Thomas Stanley on traffic /pedestrian issues. His goal is a quality project. Asked why he did not ask to rezone to CLO- ---the property across the street is zoned CLO, local office district Mr. Grant responded that the planned commercial district offers more flexibility. Board Comments and Questions: The Board indicated general support for the concept —a commercial use makes sense on that parcel.. It stressed the need to demonstrate that the proposed 45 foot high building will be a benefit to the Town and to south Lexington in particular, including involving the South Lexington Transportation Organization. At present the vacant parcel is benign in terms of impacts on the area. The Board reinforced the importance of working out pedestrian traffic and safety issues before coming to Town Meeting As the height of the proposed building will be controversial, the Board urged Mr. Rogers to be sure his development data are accurate and that all drawings present a visually precise representation of the project. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Consolidated Housing Plan Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that it would be necessary to hold public hearings on the Consolidated Housing Plan recently completed by Planner Karen Sobol, a pre - requisite for receiving federal funds. Ms. Manz suggested clarifying the income brackets, as the middle - income issue is confusing. The Board members felt that the plan was ready to go to public hearing. It was agreed to hold the hearings at a Lexington Housing Partnership meeting and at a Planning Board meeting, with a public comment period between. REPORTS MarrettJSprin /g Bridge Mr. Harden reported that he and Ms. McCall - Taylor met with Acting Town Manager Linda Vine, Selectman Dawn McKenna, and with Mr. Dean Curtain, who owns a substantial amount of land abutting the intersection of Marrett Road, Spring Street and Bridge Street. The Board continues its efforts to move forward with addressing improvements to the intersection. The Board had proposed to the Selectmen that a portion of the funds committed by Patriot Partners for traffic mitigation be used to hire a consultant to run a public process in hopes of reaching consensus on improvements to the intersection. Ms. McKenna favors phasing the spending on a finite schedule, with checkpoints along the way. The Board asked Ms. McCall- Taylor to re -draft the scope of services to reflect such a schedule. 2020 Economic Development Scoping Group Mr. Harden reported on the 2020 Vision Committee's fall campaign. The economic development sub -group is looking to form a task force to study improvements to the Center Business District. He asked the Board to consider ways this group could be usefully engaged without duplicating efforts already underway with the Board's own initiatives with the Center Committee. Ms. Manz pondered whether the 2020 sub -group should be merged with the Center Committee. Planning Director Search Committee Mr. Davies reported that several applications for the planning director position have been submitted to the Town. Manager's office. The deadline to submit is Friday, November 12. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m. Wendy 2erk