2000-07-24-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 24, 2000 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G -15 of the Town Office Building was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Colman, with members Davies, Bridge- Denzak, Galaitsis, Planning Director Garber, Assistant Planner McCall - Taylor and secretary Dianne Snell, present. Mr. Merrill was absent. * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS************ SUBDIVISION OF LAND Cotton Farm Sketch Subdivision Plan (new), off Marrett Road: Gary Larson, Landscape Architect, of Larson Associates, presented an amended plan based on his interpretation of the Planning Board's previous recommendations. Todd Cataldo, the applicant, and Rick Waitt, Engineer of Meridian Engineering were also present. The amended plan addressed the Planning Board's road /easement concerns in regard to the interior drive, by providing an access loop opening to the existing (second) curb cut on Marrett Road. The 3.89 acres surrounding the home of Robert Cataldo were incorporated into the cluster plan and 3 houses were added. While the Board reacted favorably to the looping of the road, there were many issues to address, including reducing the number of houses, pulling the houses back from Marrett Road, and reducing the amount of pavement. The board asked the developer to return with another sketch plan. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT************************ Mr. Garber reported that Mr. Merrill tendered to the Town Clerk his resignation from the Planning Board effective September 13, 2000, or earlier if suitable replacement can be found. The Board received a list of possible candidates. Candidate interviews will be held on August 9, 2000. Planning Board recommendations will be presented to Board of Selectmen at their August 14, 2000 meeting. The Planning Board will meet jointly with the Selectmen on August 14. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COMPREHENSfVE PLAN * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Comprehensive Plan: Mr. Garber's preliminary recommendation is to incorporate a minimum of 4 elements (land use, housing, transportation and cultural /natural resources) into Lexington's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Garber feels that with the available resources, (staff time, an existing inventory of vacant sites, existing databases, a diskette of the G.I.S., and State data) the Board will be able to accomplish this goal. Ms. McCall - Taylor has gathered comprehensive plans from other towns. Upon initial review it was noted that the level of detail within each plan varies greatly. Mr. Garber pointed out, however, that all of the Comprehensive Plans include the 7 statutory elements (9 if Goals and Implementation are counted.). Mr. Colman said he needs evidence that this can be done and wants to limit the scope in order to do a good job rather than just covering everything. Mr. Garber requested the Board's conceptual endorsement of the public participation process. There are many permutations and combinations of the three models presented, the Representation Model, the District Outreach Model and the District Workshop Model. Mr. Garber proposed using the Representation Model. With this model the Board would ask the selectmen to appoint a temporary ad hoc committee as an adjunct to the Board. The Ad -Hoc Committee would be under the aegis of Board, have a finite life, and be broadly representative of the town. Members drawn from such groups as neighborhood associations and key boards would act as the Planning Board's sounding board. The Board reacted favorably to this model, but requested to have input on the development of a list of suggested participants for the Ad -Hoc Committee. Discussion ensued as to the best way to get representation from all areas of town, as well as various boards and committees. Mr. Garber would welcome a volunteer board member or working group within the Board to refine the representation model.