2003-07-16-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 16, 2003 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and planning staff Garber and Tap present. Ms. Chase and Ms. McCall- Taylor were on vacation. MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 25, 2003. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes, as amended. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Roosevelt Road Special Residential Development, North Shore Construction Release of Covenant Mr. Garber informed the Board that the engineering division inspected the Roosevelt Road development and found that the street construction and associated work has been done. Final pavement has been completed and all issues have been resolved. The covenant provided by Mr. Lopez, the developer, can be released. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Harden, the Board voted 4 -0 to release the covenant for the Roosevelt Road Special Residential Development recorded on October 24, 2001. REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Met_ State Hospital Development, Presentation by AvalonBay Communities, Inc Mr. Harden welcomed representatives of AvalonBay Communities, Inc., designated by the Department of Capital Asset Management to be the developer of the Lexington portion of the Met State Hospital site. Mr. Michael Roberts, Senior Developer at AvalonBay, and Steve Schwartz, attorney, of Goulston & Storrs, were present. Mr. Roberts distributed copies of his presentation, which included an introduction to AvalonBay's development team, the redevelopment proposal, and the benefits the proposal offers. He assured the Board that AvalonBay has the expertise, the capital and a demonstrated success in finding common ground through public /private partnerships, to accomplish this redevelopment. The Met State development will be its third residential rehab project. Some of its features are: Kline Hall and the clock tower will be remain, helping to retain the character of the site; some of the parking will be underground, and; the site will be pedestrian - friendly. Traffic impacts may not exceed the level of late 1980s traffic counts taken when the hospital was operating. Affordability All of the units will be rental units, allowing all 430 to qualify for the Chapter 40B affordable housing inventory for Lexington. Twenty -five percent will be affordable units at 80% of metropolitan median income. From 60 to 100 school -age children may live there, depending on the unit size mix. AvalonBay will use the Local Initiative Petition process, working with the Board of Selectmen. DMH Component Mr. Roberts said that some of the required Department of Mental Health units would be integrated into the development, though the number is still not determined. AvalonBay will provide DMH with funds to support off -site units as well. They want the mental health component to be fully integrated into the environment of the site. Mr. Kastorf commented that rapid change is occurring in mental health care policy and AvalonBay will probably have to adjust its approach. He added that off -site housing is often more appropriate for the needs of DMH clients.