Planning Board minutes 08-07-1996

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF AUGUST 7, 1996 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.40 p.m. by newly elected Chairman Canale, with members, Davies, Davison, Merrill, and Planning Director Bowyer present. Mr Colman and Mr Marino were absent. Mr Canale, on behalf of the rest of the Board, thanked Mrs. Davison for her leadership of the Board during her term as Chair ******************************* PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ******************************* 151 94 Adams Street Proposed Subdivision: Peter Kelley, of Woodhaven Realty, asked the Board to talk more with him about his proposed development at 94 Adams Street. Mr Canale answered that he believes the Board has enough information to make its decision on the preliminary plan that Mr Kelley presented to the Board on July 10 He said the Board does not entertain additional oral input after the presentation and said Mr Kelley could submit further comments to the Board in writing. The Board agreed that the rules for public participation should be stated at each public hearing so that both applicants and residents understand when input from the public is appropriate. **************************** COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING **************************** 152. Characteristics of Lexington Seniors: Mr Bowyer gave a status report on the current study of Lexington's senior population. He showed some charts that Heather Goss, a summer intern in the Planning Department, has made that illustrate and compare the town's population under the age of 65 with seniors. Those tables showed the distribution of seniors in various sizes of dwellings, the value and condition of the dwellings, age groups and forms of ownership. This information is aimed at public policy makers and builders interested in the senior housing market. A report on the characteristics of Lexington's senior population incorporating these and other illustrative materials will be produced by the staff. 153 Land Use Element: Build-out Analysis: Mr Bowyer also reported that Mr Marino has done more work on the build-out analysis. The analysis identifies parcels that could be eligible for cluster and other types of development, whether they are vacant or underdeveloped, their type of ownership and zoning district. The presence of easements, wetlands, dimensions (frontage, lot width) and other site factors will also be identified. As the Board progresses in its work on the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan, qualitative criteria can be applied to the sites and their suitability for cluster development assessed. *************************** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES ************************** 154 Hanscom Area Planning Study: Mr Canale and Mrs. Davison reported on the meeting held the previous evening by Stephen Tocco, Executive Director of MassPort. The meeting was an update of the scope of the Hanscom Field Generic Environmental Impact Report. Both members were uneasy that MassPort was pressing for starting a land development process as soon as the GEIR is finished. That should be within six months. Members felt land development should not be considered until after the Hanscom General Plan is completed. One encouraging signal sent was that MassPort does not seem to see Hanscom Field as a satellite to Logan Airport because it is so close to Logan. Green Airport in Rhode Island and the Manchester, NH airport, and possibly Worcester Airport are more likely candidates to be satellites to Logan. Mr Bowyer noted that MassPort seems to be more interested in Hanscom as a real estate asset. It needs the revenue that Hanscom generates from general aviation to offset its other expenses. Mr Canale noted that corporate jets could be significant in the future.