2008-01-23-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2008 A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board in Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Zurlo, Galaitsis, Manz, and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Canale who has recused himself from the discussion of the Article IX amendments was absent. ***************************ARTICLES FOR 2008 TOWN MEETING*********************** Mr. Hornig opened the public information meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the Planning Board’s proposed amendment to the Zoning Bylaw for Special Permit Residential Developments. There were 25 people in the audience. Mr. Hornig’s presentation explained the changes, based on the experience of the last 12 years, would make the Zoning Bylaw simpler and easier to understand. The presentation provided an overview of what the bylaw would require and new terminology. Audience Comments and Questions: Mr. Patrick Mehr asked what are we really trying to achieve and why spend this time? The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) would be good to introduce now. If we want smaller houses why allow an increase in the Gross Floor Area (GFA)? Why is the Board following this practice if houses are too large, instead he proposed a friendly amendment cutting the GFA by 25%. Mr. Hornig responded the effort was to simplify the bylaw. If the bylaw were so restrictive it would make the whole bylaw entirely irrelevant because no one would use it. This is a practical alternative to large single-family homes. The FAR would need to be applied to all houses, which is not being done now. Ms. Manz said they need to work with developers or the town will get only large single-family homes as-of-right. Mr. Arthur Katz asked if there was a way to determine if the incentive bonus would work to provide affordable housing. Mr. Zurlo said there were no specific numbers, but giving a 20% density bonus was generous and would be generous based on what we know to be typical incentives offered through other bylaws. Mr. Joel Adler said there would be no requirement for open space, but we want to promote open space. Mr. Hornig said there was be an increase in the amount of common open space required, it was just the requirement for useable open space that would be deleted. Mr. Adler said wetlands would just be thrown