2005-02-09-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2005 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Harden, Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor and Tap present. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING ************************ Zoning Bylaw, Amendments to the Accessory Apartment Provisions, Public Hearing: Mr. Kastorf opened the public hearing on the Planning Board's proposed changes to the accessory apartment provisions of the Zoning Bylaw at 7:45 p.m. There were twelve people in the audience. Mr. Kastorf gave a brief overview of the accessory apartment bylaw, originally enacted in 1983. It was intended to create economic opportunities that would help maintain a diverse town population by making it possible for "empty-nesters" living in large houses to have additional income that might allow them to remain in their Lexington homes as well as contribute to housing diversity by providing small, more affordable units. He noted that a relatively small number of units have been created since then. The current Board, in keeping with its initiatives to implement goals identified in the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan, wants to make accessory apartments a more attractive option by changing some of the regulatory limitations on their creation. Ms. McCall-Taylor outlined the proposal, identifying the three proposed types of units: by right accessory apartment, special permit accessory apartment and accessory structure apartment. She referred audience members to the explanatory handout. Questions and comments were as follows: ?? Mr. Nyles Barnert, Board of Appeals, asked why the 5-year limit would not apply to special permit accessory apartments? The Board explained that they wanted to allow the option of a new house being built with an accessory apartment. Mr. Barnert said that he hoped that at Town meeting the 5-year limit would be placed on special permit accessory apartments as well. ?? In response to a question, Ms. McCall-Taylor said according to assessors and building department records there are currently 50 to 60 permitted accessory apartments. ?? Mr. Edmund Grant said that the proposed changes would encourage a more diverse population and help house-rich empty nesters stay in their homes. He felt the Planning Board should be commended for proposing these changes. They are truly needed, as there are many single- occupant and empty-nester homes in Lexington. ?? Mr. Bob Bicknell of the Housing Partnership pointed out that it is difficult for younger people and people with less income to buy into Lexington. A new home with an accessory apartment could help such house buyers defray the cost of the mortgage. ?? How many people could live in the apartment? The number of occupants in a dwelling is beyond town control. ?? Mr. Julian Bussgang asked if there could there be a home-based business in an accessory apartment. The Board indicated that there could be but any home occupations could not exceed the Zoning Bylaw's impact measures for home occupation or occupations in a single-family dwelling. ?? There was confusion about how an addition to an accessory structure would affect the maximum gross floor area of an accessory structure apartment. The Board indicated that they would clarify the language in that section. ?? Mr. Galaitsis indicated that he supports the by right and accessory structure apartment language but has reservations about the proposed special permit accessory apartment provisions. ?? Mr. Bussgang said that there was a clear need to change the current bylaw but it should be done in a more gradual way. Mr. Kastorf responded that much more dramatic market driven changes, e.g., the sharp increase in the price and size of homes, over which the Planning Board has no