2016-02-03 PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2016 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Battin Hall, Cary Memorial Building, was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chair Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti. Present were board members Charles Hornig, Tim Dunn, Richard Canale, and Ginna Johnson, supported by planning staff Aaron Henry and Lori Kaufman. **** 2016 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING – ARTICLE HEARINGS **** FHA: AIR OUSING CT Mr. Hornig explained the Fair Housing law, which prohibits the consideration the potential presence of children in housing when making recommendations or decisions in land use. RFAR: ESIDENTIAL LOOR REA ATIO Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti called the public hearing to order at 7:07 p.m. there were 86 people in the audience. Ms. Johnson delivered a presentation on the background on the Residential Floor Area Ratio Article, explaining the trends, teardowns, and dimensional controls (setbacks), including Gross Floor Area (GFA). Residential zoning in other communities was discussed. Mr. Tom Harden presented the article for GFA and how it was calculated and what those homes would look like next to the smaller homes on smaller lots. Two proposed GFA maximums were discussed. Audience Comments:  Which limit are the permits at risk being held to the high or low? The date of advertising will run through the FAR through the low filter. Developers may proceed at their own risk.  Want to support the changes but would not support anything that would not permit a garage, basement and first floor bedroom.  How many lots in Town conform to those side requirements? About 2/3 of the lots in each district are non-conforming on lot size.  The Assessors Database was considered to have inaccurate data and now we are being asked to vote on these questionable statistics. The data was collected to provide useful background information.  I have a house that is a teardown and am in contract as of January 14 will have a significant impact? Is there way to not be in limbo? Staff said that Planning Board could do a date certain and there are some downsides. This could create long-term backlash and needs to be considered. The Board should not commit tonight and discuss this issue at a future date.  I am afraid Floor Area Ratio (FAR) will affect very small lots because they cannot build a livable home with that FAR.