1998-07-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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61-188 Selectmen’s Meeting – July 6, 1998 Planning Group; 2) do an analysis of the existing zoning regulations in the 4 towns; 3) based upon applying those existing regulations to the GIS, a buildout, which would allow an analysis of what the full impact would be of development under the existing regulations. The fourth piece of this plan would be to do an analysis of the existing regulations and what their impact is. Once that basis has been established, then the 4-Town Planning Group would consider recommendations to changes in the zoning regulation and collaborative efforts that would allow us to design development in such a way that it protects the qualities that we regard as important in the 4-town area. Mrs. Krieger requests the Board give the 4-Town Planning Group approval to go forward with this proposal. The cost to Lexington for the GIS and analysis of the zoning regulations will be about $5,000; the costs are equally shared over the 4 towns. The analysis of the buildout has a variable span that goes from the low ($750) to the maximum ($7,500). Mrs. Krieger recommends that the Board support the full buildout.This is an opportunity for Lexington to participate with the 4 towns in doing a meaningful planning effort, one that will allow everyone to understand the full impact of development in the 4-town area, particularly when there are significant underdeveloped areas, such as Hanscom Field and Minuteman Tech. The Towns would be prepared to be proactive in development issues rather than reactive. Upon completion of this kind of study, Mr. Busa asked what Lexington can do to development in Concord or vise versa. Mrs. Krieger believes that once you have the full buildout you will have an objective analysis of what the impact of development can be. One in which there is a common playing ground for analysis and one has an understanding of what the buildout in each of the communities can be and analysis of what that impact could be on neighboring communities. Once armed with that, then the real work of the Committee begins to devise procedures and processes by which the 4 towns can collaborate on design and development. Mr. Busa asked if all 4 communities are in on this proposal equally, with equal amounts of interest and commitment? Mrs. Krieger thinks there is commitment among the 4 communities designing development and that there will be collaboration among the 4 communities in terms of understanding the impact of development. Mr. Busa asked what happens after the study is completed. Mrs. Krieger says the next step is to either come back to Town Meeting in the Spring or come back to Town Meeting in some other spring. The intent would be to come to the point where in fact there would be some recommendations with regard to zoning regulations, some recommendations with regard to a collaborative effort among the 4 communities that would design development such that it minimized the impact. Mrs. Krieger’s understanding is money is available for this type of regional collaboration, that it is part of the revenue that is designated from the fuel tax at Hanscom that has been set aside for this type of planning effort.