2000-04-26-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2000 Chairman Colman called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building, to order at 7:35 p.m., with members Bridge - Denzak, Davies, Galaitsis, Merrill, Director of Comprehensive Planning Bowyer, PIanning Director Garber and Assistant Planner McCall - Taylor present. In addition, members of the Managing Growth and Open Space Working Group of the Vision 2020 Strategic Planning Program were present for the second item on the agenda. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Land Use Element: Projects, Studies, Tasks Occupancy Characteristics of Dwelling Units, Report on Staff Update The Board reviewed data about occupancy characteristics of various housing types, which had been compiled by the staff. The data compared the number of children generated by single - family dwellings and cluster types of housing, e.g., semi - attached and attached dwelling. It had originally been created in connection with presenting the revised Section 9, Residential Developments, of the Zoning By -Law, to Town Meeting in 1996. It was agreed that an effort should be made to update and rerun the Alternative Housing Types database when data from the 2000 Federal census becomes available. * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Managing Growth and Open Space Working Group of the Vision 2020 Strategic Planning Program Mr. Merrill opened discussion by explaining the concept behind the Vision 2020 process. Its broader input of a 20 year vision will provide a policy framework for the Town. He then yielded the floor to Thomas Harden, chair of the Managing Growth and Open Space Working Group, who summarized the work of his group. While it is a work in progress, he hopes that they will produce something useful. The group has identified six overriding goals -- increase and protect open space; minimize traffic impacts; reduce environmental impacts; preserve and enhance the town and neighborhood character; create a mix of housing; and, ensure that decisions reflect broad, long -term, community -wide perspectives. At this point there is less consensus around the objective and measures components. Mr. Bowyer outlined the comprehensive plan which by state definition has six elements, the most pivotal being land use. Lexington's approach is both top -down and bottom up. Starting by examining lots with development potential, it will eventually focus on town wide policies. For that there will need to be a better town -wide definition of what the town needs are. This is where the Managing Growth group can be of assistance. Mr. Bowyer pointed out that the Zoning By -Law is riddled with policies. It is time to shine a light on the policies and re- evaluate them. This precipitated a discussion of various issues in town, including mansionization, development of single lots, and transportation demand management. Ms. Bridge- Denzak said she was concerned about things that contribute to the character of a town or neighborhood -- materials, stone walls, trees and sidewalks. Mr. Colman said that the Growth Management work group and the Planning Board should continue to work together. It is hoped that there will be articles to put forth at the 2001 Town Meeting. Mr. Garber pointed out that there are many implementation tools available in addition to the Zoning By -Law, such as development regulations, general by -laws, design guidelines, and state regulations. Mr. Harden asked the Board to respond to the idea of a denser downtown. This led to a discussion of a parking structure. Mr. Merrill asked whether there were areas on which the Managing Growth group had no consensus. They responded that there was still debate on open space acquisition of large tracts versus small neighborhood