2006-01-25-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 25, 2006 A regular 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 Manz with members Galaitsis, Hornig, Canale, Harden and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Schilt and Tap present. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2006 TOWN MEETING ************************ Article 7, CD-7 to CD-13, 727 Marrett Road, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Public Information Meeting: Present for the public information meeting on the property owner's rezoning proposal for the Sheraton Hotel site were Mr. John Farrington, attorney; Mr. Robert Weidknecht, engineer, Beals and Thomas; Mr. Scott Thrun, senior project manager, Starwood; Mr. Alex Campbell, architect, Fruchtman Associates; Mr. John Fotiadis, architect, Costas Kondylis and Partners; and Mr. William Bunce, General Manager of the Sheraton. Mr. Thrun outlined Starwood's program for the property and Mr. Bunce described the realities of the hotel industry and the current building's failure to perform in an evolving market. The hotel and its systems are outdated; the multiple entries are a security issue and there are Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues. Mr. Weidknecht presented an aerial overview of the site, an analysis of its viewsheds, and described in general the site work that would be needed for the two hotel buildings, pointing out that the plan calls for less disturbance of the knoll than the renovation/addition plans approved in 1989. Mr. Farrington said that the Transportation Demand Management measures proposed by Flatley as part of the 1989 rezoning have been instituted, with the $150,000 payment the only significant outstanding item. Mr. Canale said that there was also an obligation to set up a transportation management program as well as an annual reporting requirement. Mr. Campbell showed plans for the aloft hotel reflecting changes made in response to the Board's previous comments. The sign on top and its up-lighting were removed, and surface treatments changed. Mr. Fotiadis presented the Extended Stay by Westin hotel plans, which show different exterior cladding from the previous iteration. Both buildings have four stories. Board Comments and Questions: Mr. Harden said that the two hotel buildings should relate to each other, even though each has its own brand identity, perhaps in a more campus-like setting. The presentation should show both buildings on the site sections and elevations rather than presenting each building individually. He also suggested providing a cross-section through the aloft building to show how it relates to the knoll. He found it hard to see how these designs fit the site. Mr. Galaitsis concurred about the need to see sections showing the current and proposed grades and elevations. He did not feel that the buildings fit into a colonial environment. He asked that the presentation be accurate and realistic. He pointed out inconsistencies, such as Starwood's statement that the development was not visible from Fiske Hill and Route 128, as compared to another statement that the in-ground pool was a beacon. Mr. Hornig discussed the setbacks and the FAR. He felt that the current proposal should be compared to the standards of the CRO district as well as those of the CD-7. He said the developer would have to justify the fourth floor. Mr. Farrington replied that the fourth floor gives a smaller footprint and that two buildings can be better set on the site than could one large hotel. The fourth floor allows more rooms, which makes the economics work. Mr. Thrun added that public space is a fixed cost which is amortized over the number of rooms. Mr. Campbell said that there would be substantially more tax revenues with this proposal than if the 1989 plan were built.