2006-01-18-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 18, 2006 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Cary Hall Auditorium was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Manz with members Galaitsis, Hornig, Canale, Harden and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Schilt and Tap present. ************************* LEXINGTON CENTER INITIATIVES ************************* Report from the Center Committee on proposed Prince Estabrook Way: Mr. Carl Oldenburg, Design Advisory Committee and Mr. Fred Johnson and Mr. Howard Levin, Lexington Center Committee, presented plans for a Center Committee connectivity undertaking for which they are seeking the Planning Board's support. It would create a pedestrian walkway—to be named Prince Estabrook Way in honor of Mr. Prince Estabrook, who played a part in Lexington's revolutionary war history—along the current vehicular way between the Carlson Real Estate office and the Bank of America on Massachusetts Avenue. Referring to it as their flagship project, it is designed to be a welcoming and attractive walkway between the bike path and parking lots behind the businesses and Massachusetts Avenue. The area would have brick paving, landscaping, lighting similar to that at Emory Park, and some benches. It would require some reconfiguration, including leveling of the existing surfaces. The committee expects to work with the owners of the office condominiums and bank that flank the driveway. They have been in communication with the Town Manager and Mr. Bill Hadley, Director of Public Works, has indicated that his department would do its part in connection with the project. More bike racks may be needed as well. The Board raised a number of concerns: who would maintain the walkway, if parking spaces would be lost, the potential for pedestrian/car mishaps, and accessibility. Mr. Johnson indicated that these issues are being considered as plans evolve. They do not want to take away any legal parking spaces. Those along the vehicular way are not legal spaces. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to support the connectivity proposal for Prince Estabrook Way as is it developing and to send a letter of support to the Center Committee. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2006 TOWN MEETING ************************ PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING Ms. Manz opened the public information meeting at 7:55 p.m. on the Planning Board's proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Law to require Inclusionary Housing. She indicated that there were copies of the draft document available to help follow the presentation and that the Board hoped to receive public reaction and input on the proposed amendment. There were 20 people in the audience. Mr. Harden noted that he has been the Planning Board liaison to the Housing Partnership Board since its formation, and that the Partnership, along with consultant Philip B. Herr, produced the particular inclusionary concept that the Board is developing and will bring to Town Meeting this year. Mr. Harden’s presentation described the Town's commitment to preserving and providing affordable housing in Lexington over the years. The Board has had an inclusionary housing policy since 1985 as part of the housing element of the Comprehensive Plan. It became the basis of dialogue with developers about providing affordable units in new subdivisions. The policy was reaffirmed in the 2002 Comprehensive Plan. But only seven units of affordable housing have resulted from the Planning Board's special permit discretion in the past five years. The proposed inclusionary amendment would require an affordable component in new subdivisions with three or more dwelling units, which require a special permit with site plan review. Mr. Harden briefly outlined the inclusionary housing concept, noting that many other communities in the state and the nation have implemented similar provisions. The presentation provided an overview of what