Planning Board Minutes, 1999-06-30

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JUNE 30, 1999 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's meeting Room, Town Office Building,was called to order at 7:30 p.m.by Chairman Davies,with members Bridge-Denzak, Colman Galaitsis, Planning Director Bowyer and Assistant Planner Garber present. Mr.Merrill was absent. ****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE ********************* 100. Election of Officers: The procedural rules of the Lexington Planning Board call for the Board to hold an election of officers at the last regularly scheduled meeting in June of each year.Accordingly,the following officers were elected,effective immediately a. On the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis, by a 3-0-1vote,Mr.Davies abstaining, the board elected Mr Davies chairman. b. On the motion of Ms. Bridge-Denzak, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,by a 3-0-1 vote,Mr. Colman abstaining,the Board elected Mr Colman Vice Chairman. c. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr Colman, by a 3-0-1 vote,Mr. Galaitsis abstaining, the Board elected Mr. Galaitsis Clerk. ************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 101 Old Smith Farm. off Wood Street.James Gaklis.Discussion on Conservation Commission issues: The Board discussed options in their approach to the Conservation Commission relative to the problematic "depression" on the site of the proposed Old Smith Farm subdivision at 160/170 Wood Street. The Board believes that the filling of the former irrigation pond would allow a better roadway layout in the subdivision. On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr Colman,the Board voted 4-0 to send a delegation to meet with the Conservation Commission with the aim of encouraging them to permit the "depression"to be filled to accomplish the following: 1. address some safety issues 2. enhance the layout of the subdivision 3 allow an access easement to certain privately owned land that currently has its only access through land owned by the National Park Service. This would enable the Minuteman National Historical Park to discontinue that access and restore the area through which the Battle Road passes to an 18th Century appearance. ******************** COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, POLICYMAKING ******************* 102. Options for Using the $50.000 on the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan: The Board and staff talked about hiring a consultant or consultants for the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The consultant would help the staff work on the completion of the statistical part of the build-out analysis of land leading to identification of land that is likely to be developed. That analysis will yield projections of the number of school children; and traffic trips. Other work for consultants includes detailed site analysis of 25-35 sites. The staff will add designations from the Historical Commission's Survey of Cultural Resources and the Conservation Commission's priorities for land acquisition. The purpose of the site analyses is for the Board to have a position on desirable future uses of the sites most likely to be developed. Mr Colman suggested looking for implementation tools that are new, like Smart Growth. The Board agreed that it would like to produce a"deliverable" product for the $50,000 and be able to make a report to Town Meeting in 2000.Mr.Davies said a pictorial representation would be the best