2009-02-04-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4, 2009 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Manz, Canale, Galaitsis, Zurlo and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry, and Kaufman present. *******************************TOWN MEETING************************************* Public Forum; Hartwell Avenue Rezoning Proposals: There were approximately 25-30 people in the audience. Mr. Hornig presented the Planning Board’s Hartwell Avenue rezoning proposals - Article 44 CM and NFI District Changes, which included a new site plan review process independent of a special permit and Article 45, Traffic, which included the creation of a Transportation Management Overlay District (TMOD). Audience Comments: Richard Thuma asked what (4)(a)[4] “connectivity” meant in Article 45; the order of the goals should be reversed to show priority; and he did not see the benefit of the sky view setback. Mr. Thuma also said the TMOD was a huge improvement over the existing zoning bylaw and patchwork of various groups, but “the devil was in the details”. He liked the idea that a plan was on the table developed by an elected Board that would be accountable to the residents in the next election. Mr. Stewart Kennedy of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) asked if the sky view included roof top mechanicals. Mr. Hornig said yes. Mr. Kennedy read a draft letter from the BAC and said that a signed copy would be submitted to the Planning Board after adoption at the next BAC meeting. Mr. Zurlo explained connectivity offered more choices to vehicles to move around, and the more options available the better. He also suggested that the BAC should give some consideration to a bike loan program in the center, connecting outlying business districts to the center.. Mr. Keith Omart speaking on behalf of the West Lexington Greenway Task Force was requesting provisions be made for the safe crossing of pedestrians and bicyclists at intersection where the proposed West Lexington Greenway Trail would intersect Wood Street. Mr. Andy Friedlich liked the flexibility to go above the .4 FAR. If the FAR was capped the Town might not be able to get sufficient monies for mitigations.