2023-03-20-PB-rpt-art40 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a�a �riN Town ofLexington PLANNING BOARD Robert D.Peters, Chair 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Michael Schanbacher, Vice Chair j< f � ' Lexington MA 02420 Melanie Thompson, Clerk 'F t 1 ; ' ,�' Tel (781) 698-4560 Robert Creech,Member Charles Hornig, Member APRIL If � plannin CO,lexingtonma.goy www.lexingtonma.gov/planning Michael Leon, Associate Member RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF THE LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD ARTICLE 40:AMEND SECTION 135-4.4 OF THE ZONING BYLAW— REDUCE RESIDENTIAL GROSS FLOOR AREA RECOMMENDATION On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, after two Public Hearings, the Planning Board voted five (5) in favor and none (0) opposed, to recommend that Town Meeting refer Article 40 to the Planning Board. JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION TO REFER TO THE PLANNING BOARD: The Planning Board and Town staff have not had sufficient time to consider the interaction of the proposed change with other provisions in the Zoning Bylaw or to understand the effect on the housing market in Lexington. Revisions to the proposal made between the February 15 and March 1 hearings require careful consideration, which was not possible when the latest version was published the day before the March 1 hearing. The public also deserves time to understand the latest changes as well. The referral would allow time to fully consider: 1. The consequences, both positive and negative, of reducing the maximum residential gross floor area for the various types of development and redevelopment that may occur, including both small and large projects; 2. How the change would affect Lexington's many nonconforming structures and lots; 3. The significant financial impact on the value of older and smaller homes on large lots; and 4. How restrictions on building mass interact with the Planning Board's housing policy iniatives, including missing middle housing. PUBLIC PROCESS: On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, after publication of the legal advertisement in the Lexington Minuteman Newspaper on January 12, 2023 and January 19, 2023, the Planning Board continued the public hearing to February 15. At the Planning Board's February 15, 2023 meeting, Matt Daggett gave a presentation to the Planning Board of the proposed changes to the maximum allowable residential Gross Floor Area in §4.4.2. The Board carefully considered all comments received during the Public Hearing and continued the public hearing to March 1. Page 1 of 2 Planning Board Report with Recommendation to Town Meeting Article 40