2005-03-10-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2005 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room 218, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by acting Chairman Harden with members Hornig, Galaitsis, Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor present. A concurrent meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Krieger with members Pagett, Kelly, Cohen and Manz present. **************************** PLANNING BOARD VACANCY *************************** The Board of Selectmen and Planning Board met together to interview candidates to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board created by the resignation of Karl Kastorf. They began by discussing what questions they would ask the candidates. Ms. Ginna Johnson was invited in to talk with the board members. She briefly outlined her experience as a landscape architect, how she came to settle in Lexington, and her appreciation for the quality environment that the town has worked hard to create. She said that she had particular interests in public transportation and affordable housing and described what skills she could bring to the Planning Board, commenting on some recent cases before the Planning Board and giving examples of the kinds of issues and solutions she might suggest. Mr. Richard Canale was the other candidate interviewed by the boards. He said that in his previous time on the Planning Board he had been fairly parochial in his outlook but based on that experience and subsequent volunteer activities he has a more regional focus. He had a list of items that he thought the Planning Board should act upon including inclusionary housing, scenic roads, and center parking. When asked, he said he expected to continue his current roles in various regional transportation and planning organizations. He stated that Hanscom would be the most important issue before the Planning Board in the next year, whether or not the Air Force base was slated for closure. The board members discussed the two candidates, expressing regret that both could not appointed to serve on the Planning Board as they brought strong but different qualities. The members of the Board of Selectmen indicated that they would follow the wishes of the Planning Board members as to which of the candidates should be appointed. In the end the majority of members supported Mr. Canale based on his extensive involvement with Hanscom issues. The members were polled, with eight indicating support of Mr. Canale, and one (Mr. Hornig) supporting Ms. Johnson. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING ************************ Article 9 – Waltham Street Rezoning – Mr. Galaitsis said that while he had concerns about the height, he felt that the use, location, and offered mitigations were appropriate. Ms. Manz said that she had been swayed by the fact that the residential development behind this site towers over even a three-story building. On the motion of Mr. Hornig, Ms. Manz seconding, the Board voted 4 to 0 to support Article 9. Article 10 – Accessory Apartments – Mr. Hornig pointed out a few changes that remained to be made in the motion that would be placed before Town Meeting and then moved to recommend the article to Town Meeting. Ms. Manz seconded the motion and the Board voted 3 to 1 in favor. Mr. Galaitsis voted in opposition. Article 4 – Battle Green Inn – Mr. Harden reported on a meeting he had with the owner and architect this afternoon. After pricing out the changes that had been made since the initial filing, the applicant had concerns about the financial well being of the project. In order to have a project that would be more fundable by a bank, the applicant is seeking to add up to three more units within the proposed envelope. He will be including up to 40 units in the revised PSDUP that will be filed at least a week before Town