1983-05-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 2, 1983 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was called to order at 7:39 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Nichols, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 85. Article 38, Parking Improvements: Tom Fortman, Town Meeting Member in Pre- cinct 6, was present to discuss a proposed amendment to Article 38 that would rec- ognize the deteriorating parking situation in Lexington center and direct the Planning Board to prepare an amendment to the zoning By -Law to be presented to the 1984 Town Meeting. The amendment would prevent the loss of existing private off- street parking areas and require future developments, expansions and changes in use to provide increases in the parking supply. Mr. Fortman said he is concerned about Article 39, the expansion of the Meriam Street lot, as well and thinks the Town may be wasting its money in providing more parking spaces if more development occurs and fills those spaces. His objective is to give the Planning Board a man- date to do something about the parking situation in the center business area. Mrs. Smith thought a mandate from Town Meeting would be helpful. The Planning Board is already committed to study the problem but may need the support of a Town Meeting endorsement within the Town administration. On a poll of its members, the Board was unanimously in favor of the amendment and will support it in the Town Meeting. ' Mr. Sorensen observed that there were two major reasons that previous proposed amendments on this subject were not adopted: 1) the attitude among property owners and business people that economics should rule with minimum intervention by Town regulations; and 2) limitations tend to penalize those who have not yet developed which means that those who have aggravated the situation may escape the limitation. ARTICLES FOR 1983 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 86. Article 30, Water System Analysis: DPW Director Walter Tonaszuck and Town Engineer Francis Fields made a presentation explaining the proposed engineering analysis of the water distribution system. Mr. Tonaszuck explained that the computer model would assess the existing water system and have the capability to analyze the effects of new development. He said the primary justification for improvements to the water distribution system are fire protection and adequate supply and pressure. While slides he used graphically portrayed tuberculation in the pipes, improving water quality is a secondary objective of the study. Mr. Fields said that the major cost of the study is in field work with a minor per- centage in computer time. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously to go on record in favor of the article and to support it on the floor at Town Meeting. 87. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 124 Spring Street, Beal Company, SPS: Mr. Bowyer explained three tables contain- ing data on the commercial buildings in the two CR districts in South Lexington