2023-03-15-HC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes March 15, 2023 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Susan Bennett, Chair, Diane Pursley, Marilyn Fenollosa, David Kelland. Commissioner Absent: Wendall Kalsow. Associate Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg. Associate Commissioner Absent: Staff Present: Siqing Pan, Department Assistant th Chair Susan Bennett called the March 15 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00 pm. AGENDA ITEM #1: Demolition Delay Bylaw SUMMARY: Mr. Rotberg introduced the Article 25 – Amend the General Bylaws – Demolition Delay for vote at Town Meeting 2023 for further discussion. Town Meeting will vote to amend Chapter 19 of the General Bylaw of the Town of Lexington (Article 25) by changing the current demolition delay requirements for buildings listed as “historically significant”, from twelve (12) months to twenty-one (21) months; or act in any manner in relation thereto. The proposed amendment is “That Section 19-3(3)(F)(3)(Buildings, Demolition of) of the Code of the Town of Lexington be amended by striking the figure “12” and substituting therefor “21”, and adding the following at the end of this subsection: “provided that if the requested demolition permit is for a lot which has received site plan approval, a special permit or a building permit for the creation of Multifamily Housing or Inclusionary Dwelling Units as defined in Chapter 135-10.1, said period shall be reduced to 12 months.”; and further that non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the Code of the Town Lexington.” Mr. Kelland stated that builders should comply with the demolition delay bylaw, and it is not necessary to have the newly proposed amendment on affordable housing because any builder can come back to the Commission at any time during the 21 months to request a shorter period upon presentation of appropriate evidence. He stated that the amendment will encourage the demolition of historic houses, because a builder would see multiple dwelling housing development as a way to overcome the problem of the 21-month delay. He suggested that Historical Commission should oppose the amendment. Ms. Pursley and Ms. Fenollosa reiterated the purpose of demolition delay bylaw. Ms. Fenollosa stated her belief that it was not appropriate to have that amendment. Ms. Bennett stated that she would accept this amendment if the 21-month demolition bylaw could be approved. MOTION: 1 / 5