2010-02-24-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 24, 2010 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Zurlo with members Hornig, Manz, Canale, Galaitsis and planning staff McCall-Taylor and Kaufman present. *******************************TOWN MEETING ************************************** PUBLIC HEARINGS Article 37, Food Related Uses: Mr. Zurlo called the public hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. There were approximately 20 people in the audience. Mr. Hornig gave a presentation, which looked at zones and purposes and how they matched with uses within those zones. Audience comments:  Changing takeout food services in CS zones in Town from Special Permit (SP) to No (N) would have tremendous impact on local businesses and there is little distinction between the CS and CN zones. Gas stations now include convenience stores with take out food.  Mr. Nyles Barnert, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), said that going from “SP” to Yes (Y) in CN & CS zones could bring out neighbors if there were extended hours of use. Perhaps making it a “Y”, but keep the “SP” for hours of operation between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am. The Board of Selectmen would not get involved if there was no seating involved, which would provide no public forum for review.  This would eliminate economic options for property owners. In 1987 comprehensive zoning was enacted to allow this setup for smaller service district like the CS zone. There would be no benefit to changing “SP” to “N”, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. The ZBA could still regulate if “SP” was left in place. Consider the message that change would give to local businesses.  Hartwell Avenue was governed by “SP”. Some properties maybe be zoned wrong, but taking away the “SP” would seriously impact property owners in a negative way. The property owners would have to find new uses during these economic hard times.  When the economy is bad it is even worse for small businesses; don’t limit or over regulate. The Town should welcome new businesses not create new problems for issues that do not exist.  There was concern about the removal of “prepared” in takeout service. It could become confusing with grocery stores.  These new restrictions would affect people’s quality of life if they wanted to walk to a local destination.  There was no thought at this time to put food services in some places, but with the office market