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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 1985 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was called to order at 7:42 p.m., by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Cripps, Flemings, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. ARTICLES FOR 1985 TOWN MEETING 23. Article B, Planned Residential Development: The Board reviewed a draft of "Major Elements of Comprehensive Zoning Revision, Planned Residential Development." A number of editing changes were proposed and it was agreed the staff should redraft the document. Sections receiving particular attention included: relaxation of dimensional standards, flexibility in siting individual buildings, discussion of plan -based review, housing for smaller households, discontinuance of the RH-Subsidized Housing District, and the role of the Board of Appeals as the SPGA. It was agreed the staff would have a revised draft prepared by Wednesday after- noon. Members will review the revision and phone in comments to the Department office. If necessary, a meeting will be held Saturday morning, February 2, to make other changes as needed. 24. Article C, Specialized Amendments to Planned Residential Development: The Board reviewed a draft dated 1123185 of three policy -laden amendments to Article B. One would reduce the base density in the RO and RS district by about one- third, a second would permit a density bonus above the base -density for quality design and a third would permit a density bonus above the base density for providing "affordable" housing. It was agreed the Board would not present those amendments to the 1985 Town Meeting because: 1) they might adversely affect the prospects for passage of the main planned residential development amendment and 2) the proposals need to be worked out and presented in the context of the housing element of the comprehensive plan. 25. Fees for Public Hearings: Mr. Bowyer asked that the Board state a policy for fees for citizen petitions to amend the text of the Zoning By -Law. The three citizen petitions to amend the text will probably cost a total of more than $100.00 in legal notice fees. For citizen petitions to amend the Zoning Map, the Board now charges a fee of $750.00 for review of the proposal, and the developer must pay for printing the legal notice in the newspaper and for use of an audi- torium. Fees are considered appropriate because rezoning is part of the real estate development process and the developer stands to increase the value of land if successful. The Board thought that citizens should not be charged fees because they are usually motivated by interest in an issue rather than economic gain to be real- ized from a development. The Board thought that these expenses should be paid from an account other than a Planning Board account because the Board has no control over the cost. The Planning Director was asked to confer with the Town Manager on this matter.