2004-12-15-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2004 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Guard Room, Police Station, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Harden, Manz and planning staff McCall- Taylor and Tap present. MINUTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the executive sessions of December 17, 2003, July 28, September 21, and November 3, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Rezone 1720 Massachusetts Avenue Battle Green Inn CB to CD: The proponents of the proposed rezoning of 1720 Massachusetts Avenue were present to show the Board revised plans. The development team has shown the proposal to other boards, committees and resident groups in recent weeks and the current iteration reflects changes made in response to their comments. Mr. Eric Shapiro described the differences in the proposal since the development team appeared before the Planning Board on December 1. They had to do with the: • Parking spaces: By changing the foundation on the Vine Brook Road side, three more spaces could be created. However, the existing trees along the property line would be killed. • Sizes of residential units: A wider range of sizes make them attainable by a greater variety of income groups. • Affordable units: Three units affordable to a moderate- income family would be included. • Facade treatments: The proposed facades would be more harmonious with the existing streetscape. Design of the tower element: The tower element character would echo that of the adjacent building section. The Board remarked on the improvement in presentation materials, especially relative to the perceived height of the structure. Suggestions included: • On the side facing Vine Brook Road, interweave the ground -level terraces with existing mature trees so that the trees might be saved; • That same side of the building needs to be stepped back or otherwise reduced in height — eliminating one story would be desirable— to alleviate its visual impact on abutters and to reduce other impacts, such as traffic. • The fourth floor would not be seen from most street -level standpoints. • The team should refer to AvalonBay's methodology relative to the potential number of school -age children, as town meeting members are familiar with it. • Traffic would be a major issue, especially during demolition and construction. Demonstrate how this would be alleviated. There were a number of comments from the audience of eighteen people. Mr. Eric Zanin, 72 Waltham Street - A new benchmark of impacts would be set by this project. A 3 -D model is needed to clearly illustrate the new building's size and appearance. Mr. Gerald Guttell, 16 Vine Brook - Vine Brook residents would not miss the current building, but please step back the proposed third story and put in more plantings. Mr. Karsten Sorensen, I Vine Brook - The developer should be bound by the same rules residents must abide by and not allowed to exceed zoning provisions. Mr. Julian Bussgang, 2 Forest Street - Development data should be presented in two easily compared columns of figures - existing and proposed.