Planning Board minutes 03-25-1998

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 25, 1998 Vice Chairman Davies called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15,Town Office Building,to order at 7:05 p.m.,with members Bridge-Denzak,Colman,Davies,Galaitsis,Planning Director Bowyer,and Assistant Planner Marino present.Mr.Merrill was absent due to a business trip. *************************ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING ************************** 74 Amendments to the Zoning By-Law Fine-tuning of Presentations: The Board continued its discussions and preparations for Town Meeting.Articles 33, 34,35 and 36 are slated to be considered tonight. Mr Bowyer reported on a conversation he had with the Moderator about dividing Articles 37 and 41 to help clarify the discussion. Dawn McKenna,proponent of Article 41,Parking Requirements, Secondary Schools,explained that she has been trying to resolve the difficulties presented by the interaction of the provisions of Article 41 with current parking regulations and with the provisions of Article 37,Maximum-Minimum Parking. She will offer an amendment to Part C of Article 37 that would exempt the public schools from meeting the cumulative parking requirements of the Zoning By-Law by inserting the words `shall not apply to a municipal elementary or secondary school' She believes this change will solve the problem and negate the need for Article 41 On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr. Colman,the Board voted unanimously,4-0,to support her amendment. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 75. Recent Activity a. Minuteman School Development Proposal:Mr Bowyer updated the Board on the proposed development of an Advanced Technology Center,hotel and assisted living center at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School.A modified proposal will be available in about a week. He pointed out that a majority vote of the Town Meetings of affected towns would be required to approve such a project. He also noted that, as a result of the Four Town Planning process,Lexington has an excellent working relationship with Lincoln and other affected Towns,which will be useful as the Towns respond to the Minuteman School's plans. The HATS committee will also review the plans. b. Mass.Federation of Planning and Anneals Boards meeting—April 29•Northeast Area Conference: Mr Bowyer suggested that Board members consider attending the MFPAB Northeast Area Conference on April 29, 1998 as the conferences are usually quite worthwhile. The Planning Department will pay members' registration fees. c. Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors' meeting of March 20, 1998: Mr. Bowyer reported that a representative of the State Ethics Commission spoke at the last meeting of the MAPD on ethical issues that confront planners and members of Planning Boards.He said that inquiries to the Ethics Commission are treated as confidential. If Board members have questions about potential conflicts,they can consult either the Town Counsel or the Ethics Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Steven L.Colman,Clerk