2008-02-06-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF February 6, 2008 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building, and called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Zurlo, Canale, and Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Galaitsis was absent. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2008 TOWN MEETING************************** PUBLIC HEARING At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Hornig opened the public hearing on Articles 53-60, on Commercial Development. There were 30 people in the audience. Mr. Larry Smith made a presentation about the commercial zoning initiatives. Ms. Mary Jo Bohart from the Chamber of Commerce was present. Article 53, CM District Floor Area Ratio: This article discusses changing the maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the CM district from .15 to .35. Due to the wetland exclusion the FAR would be approximately equivalent to .30. There are numerous functionally obsolete buildings, which have various FAR constraints making the existing FAR .22. At the proposed FAR, replacing the functionally obsolete buildings would increase the development by 607,000 square feet and add $2.3 million in tax revenue. Article 54, Mixed Uses in CM District: This article would allow mixed uses in CM district and stores of up to 7,500 square feet. The provision of convenience services would reduce midday traffic. Article 55, CRO District Floor Area Ratio: This article would change the maximum FAR in the CRO district from .15 to .30. It would also allow light manufacturing in the CRO district. Due to the wetland exclusion, the actual FAR would be approximately .25. Corporate headquarters density is .25. Article 56, Traffic Bylaw: This article would replace the entire traffic section. Mr. Smith claimed that this is a tripwire preventing development and it hasn’t been enforced since its inception. It would modify the existing language and allow the Special Permit Granting Authority and the Building Commissioner to grant permits even if the LOS requirement is not met.