2005-04-13-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 13, 2005 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Reading Room, Cary Hall, was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Manz, Galaitsis, Hornig, Canale and planning staff McCall-Taylor present. ************************************* MINUTES ************************************** Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 5, 2005. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING ************************ Article 4 Battle Green Inn Redevelopment – Eric Shapiro, Erik Rhodin, Gwen Noyes and Arthur Klipfel were before the Board to discuss their plans for the Battle Green Inn, the rezoning of which had been defeated at Town meeting. Although notice of reconsideration had been served Mr. Shapiro said they would not be going back to this Town Meeting with a revised plan. They had been working on a redesign but due to the economic uncertainty with a reduced project size, they decided to not go forward at this time. They will be examining redevelopment options and may request a special Town meeting in the fall. He will continue to operate the property as a hotel for now. He thanked those who had supported the project. Mr. Harden said that the defeat of the project was disappointing but it was not in anyone’s interest to go forward with a project of uncertain viability. Mr. Canale encouraged the group to come back. He felt that if there had been more time for Town Meeting to consider what was presented it might have been supported. He hoped the plans would not change too much and that the next time they could present final plans at an earlier date. Ms. Manz said that the Board was extremely disappointed and the margin of defeat was small. She would be sorry to see major changes. She suggested a well-orchestrated, strong presentation with minor changes from what had gone to this Town Meeting. She did not want to see a “box” in an effort to reduce expenses. Ms. Noyes said that the Town Meeting members had not had a chance for a direct presentation and interaction and felt that they needed more face-to-face work with Town Meeting members. She said they had not expected the hard lobbying against the project that occurred the weekend before the vote. They will need more vocal support and active lobbying on behalf of the project if it comes back. Ms. McCall- Taylor mentioned that the redevelopment team for the Metropolitan State Hospital that passed at last year’s Town Meeting had had a team member whose sole job was to garner support and get people to advocate for the project. Mr. Canale said that the upcoming Lexington Center Collaborative effort might help inform the debate by helping form a cohesive picture of the Center. Ms. Manz said it would be a good forum but the time is short. Ms. Noyes said they planned to be there. Ms. Manz suggested getting pictures of Concord center and other New England towns to address the height issues. Mr. Harden said that there needs to be a ramping-up process. The Board and Town Meeting must have the final proposal in time to thoroughly analyze it, at least three weeks in advance of any vote. Mr. Canale wondered if there could be a two-part public hearing process to allow input at the first, and then a second hearing for presentation of the project that would be unchanged after that. Ms. McCall-Taylor said there was nothing in the statute that would prevent that, all that was required was that the hearing be held within 65 days of receiving notice of the warrant article from the Board of Selectmen, and if the vote took place within 21 days of the hearing, the Planning Board had to issue a report to Town Meeting prior to the vote, either in writing or verbally.