Planning Board Minutes, 1993-06-07

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JUNE 7, 1993 IThe meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office l Building, was called to order at 7 41 p.m. by Chairman Williams, with members Canale, Davison, Domnitz, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Grant was absent. ***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************ SUBDIVISION OF LAND 86 Lowell Street Subdivision On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Domnitz, the Board voted unanimously to approve Woodhaven Realty's June 7, 1993 request for an extension of time to act on the Lowell Street (Emanon Lane) subdivision from June 9, 1993 to September 7, 1993. ************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS ************************* 87. Revision of Development Regulations The Board reviewed a draft, dated June 7, 1993, of Chapter One, General Provisions, of the Development Regula- tions. The Board edited the draft and completed its review ****************************** COMPREHENSIVE PLAN *************************** 88 Stens in Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Bowyer distributed notebooks contain- ing materials describing the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan. He de- scribed the elements of a master plan required by Ch. 41, Sect. 81D of the Massachusetts General Laws Mr. Williams inquired whether the Open Space and Recreation Plan prepared for the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Committee, was the same as the Open Space and Recreation element required by Section 81D. Mr. Bowyer explained that the Planting Board should anticipate collaborating with various Town boards, committees and departments, in preparing the elements of the Comprehensive Plan. For instance, the Board might work with the Transportation Advisory Committee on the Transportation Element, or with the Housing Authori- ty and LexHAB on the Housing Element. He suggested perhaps 95% of the material in the Open Space and Recreation plan may be included in the Open Space and Recreation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. But the Comprehensive Plan has to be more than a collection of program plans prepared by different boards, committees and departments. Section 81D requires that the Comprehensive Plan be internally consistent. For instance, advocates of housing, open space and recreation, economic development, schools and transportation might all propose a use for the same piece of land. Part of the Planning Board's responsibility is to reconcile competing interests so that the Plan is internally consistent. Several members asked whether the Town Meeting needs to adopt the Comprehen- sive Plan and whether a Comprehensive Plan is realistic. Mr. Bowyer explained that the Planning Board adoption is required; Town Meeting action is optional. Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan requires dozens of actions by Town Meeting over the years to adopt or amend regulations and to make appropria-