2023-08-30-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 30, 2023 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on Wednesday August 30, 2023, Virtual Meeting at 6:00 pm Planning Board members present: Robert Peters, Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Vice-Chair; Melanie Thompson, Clerk; Robert Creech; and Charles Hornig. Also present were: Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director; Molly Belanger, Planner; and Kiruthika Ramakrishnan, Planning Coordinator. Robert Peters, Chair of the Planning Board, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. For this meeting, the Planning Board is convening by video conference via Zoom. LexMedia is filming this meeting and will record it for future viewing here. Detailed information for remote participation by the public may be found on the Planning Office web page. Mr. Peters conducted a roll call to ensure all members of the Planning Board and members of staff present could hear and be heard. Mr. Peters provided a summary of instructions for members of the public in attendance. It was further noted that materials for this meeting are available on the Town's Novus Packet dashboard. Development Administration 149 & 151 Old Spring Street, Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston – Continued Public hearing for a limited site plan review. Proposal to raze the meeting hall and construct a new 2-story multi-purpose building. Mr. Peters opened the continued Public Hearing for a limited site plan review for 149 & 151 Old Spring Street, Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston. Mr. Al Loomis from Mackenzie Engineering represented the applicant. Also present was Mr. Gareth Hoffman from Callahan Hoffman, the general contractor for the project. Mr. Loomis informed the Board that they have responded to the comments raised by the neighbors during the last meeting and their concerns were addressed. Ms. Belanger shared the revised site development plans and Mr. Loomis went over the revisions that were made to the plans since the last meeting. Mr. Loomis also briefed the Board about the bulletin and announcements made to the church goers asking them to follow the speed and parking rules. Mr. Loomis said the concerns about the driveway width were addressed by increasing the width of the driveway in a number of places. Mr. Loomis also explained the proposal to add a 4 to 5 foot earthen berm to address the concerns of light trespass and shared pictures of the proposed signage to be added. Mr. Creech wanted to know if the location and aesthetics of signage was discussed with the neighbors. Mr. Loomis said they will review the signage with the neighbors. Mr. Creech also wanted to know if the applicant communicated with the churchgoers through the church website. Mr. Loomis said that the church had posted driving regulations on their website and sent out a bulletin to their members. Mr. Creech shared the slides he had prepared to show how it can be communicated on the church website.