2006-03-22-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 22, 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, Canale, Zurlo and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Schilt and Tap present. Mr. Hornig was absent. ************************************* REPORTS ************************************* Committee Representatives/Liaisons: The Board members discussed the issue of communication between the Board and its representatives to various committees. In order to keep up on committee activities they will ask to receive minutes of Bicycle Advisory Committee and Sidewalk Committee meetings. Mr. Canale said that economic development is important and there should be a policy person on the 2020 Economic Development sub-committee. It was agreed to ask Mr. Hornig to serve as the Board’s representative to the sub-committee. Mr. Zurlo agreed to try to cover the meetings if Mr. Hornig is unavailable. Sidewalk Committee, Report by Liaison John L. Davies: Mr. John Davies was present at the Board's invitation to report on the activities of the Sidewalk Committee. He had agreed to be the Board's liaison to the Sidewalk Committee at the last meeting he attended before retiring from the Planning Board in March 2004. Mr. Davies said that the Sidewalk Committee meets once a month and has formed numerous subcommittees with a variety of focuses. He is part of the walkway group whose major activity is identifying existing pedestrian impediments and hazards, which will then be prioritized for mitigation. They are identified on a map and the data has been entered into a spreadsheet. Another map shows high- traffic routes. The Safe Routes to School initiative, which has sub-groups for each elementary school working with teachers and parents, is especially active. Sidewalks in Lexington Center: Research is ongoing into appropriate paving materials vis-à-vis special populations, durability and safety. In terms of categories of sidewalk disrepair, Mr. Zurlo suggested that using photos of representative states of disrepair would help to promote consistent sidewalk condition assessment. Mr. Davies said that Roads Superintendent Wayne Brooks is a member of the Sidewalk Committee; his computer data and aerial photos have been a resource. Mr. Canale asked if this could lead to budgeting for sidewalk upgrade and repair the same as for streets. He pondered the proper balance between funds spent on sidewalks versus streets. It was noted that inter-resident/-committee/-Board communication is important, due to different priorities and needs, e.g., the desirability of meandering sidewalks, vs. old tree-lined streets vs. uncomplicated maintenance, and the like. Pleasant, Prospect Hill and Spring Streets are narrow, tree-lined and heavily traveled streets. The Board asked Mr. Davies to continue representing it on the Sidewalk Committee. ************************************* MINUTES ************************************** Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 18, 2006. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Zurlo abstained as he was not a member at that time. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2006 TOWN MEETING ************************ Article 4, Inclusionary Housing Amendment: Ms. Manz will move for indefinite postponement without further comment. She will address inclusionary zoning in her report under Article 2.