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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2020 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on March 5, 2020, in the Parker Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:00pm Present: Robert Creech, Chair; Charles Hornig, Vice-Chair; Robert Peters, Clerk; Ginna Johnson; and Richard Canale. Also, present was Amanda Loomis, Planning Director Robert Creech, Chair, read the agenda into the record, introduced members of the Planning Board and Planning Department Staff, and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Town Meeting 1. Amend the Zoning Bylaw – Article 39 – Solar Energy Systems Robert Creech, Chair opened the continued public hearing on Article 39: Solar Energy Systems and then requested a review of any updates relative to the Article. Charles Hornig provided a brief review of updated since the Wednesday, March 4, 2020, public hearing on Article 39. Ms. Loomis provided a review of the draft Planning Board Zoning Regulations (176), relative to Site Plan Review and Solar Energy Systems. Mr. Creech opened the floor for comments from the Tree Committee. Gerry Paul, Chair of the Lexington Tree Committee provided a review of the draft regulations and offered several amendments to the proposed draft language. Mr. Creech requested comments from members of the Planning Board. The Planning Board provided the following comments.  Ginna Johnson stated her encouragement for the draft Zoning Regulations as a good first effort. Ms. Johnson provided her concerns regarding anticipation of future installations of Solar Energy Systems, in addition to the concerns associated with the loss of trees and climate change. Ms. Johnson requested the proposed bylaw amendment not allow solar energy systems to be located in the setback be removed. Ms. Johnson requested clarification regarding the ability for the Town to plant trees on private properties. Mr. Paul provided a review of recent efforts between the Tree Committee and the Department of Public Works (DPW). Mr. Paul concluded that allowing solar energy system installations in the setbacks is a recipe for the removal of large trees.  Ms. Johnson provided a review of the space needed for the installation of replacement trees. Ms. Johnson recommended that the changes to the definition of Yard (or setback) be removed from the draft Solar Energy Systems Bylaw, so that Solar Energy Systems would not be allowed in the front, rear, and side setbacks of properties.  Mr. Hornig provided a review of the draft regulations which helps relocate solar energy systems away from the setbacks but allows for a review on a case by case basis.  Ms. Johnson and Mr. Hornig discussed the advantages and disadvantages of locating Solar Energy Systems within a setback.