HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-24-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2008
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Planning Office, Room G-1, Town
Office Building, and called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Canale, Zurlo and
Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor and Henry present.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 2008 TOWN MEETING**************************
Article 51, Associate Planning Board Member: Ms. Manz corrected some typos. On a motion duly made
and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to adopt the report.
Article 53, CM District Floor Area Ratio: Special permit draft language was distributed. Ms. Manz had
spoken with Larry Smith who would rather not have the Planning Board as the Special Permit Granting
Authority (SPGA) and he would rather drop the article if the Planning Board were to be the SPGA. Mr.
Zurlo reported that he had had a similar discussion with Mary Jo Bohart and gotten a similar reaction. He
wondered if they should offer to support the article with the amendment. Ms. Manz would go forward if
the Planning Board were willing to consider more development under these conditions.
Mr. Canale would like to know before going before Town Meeting how the process would work. He felt
that the amendment needs to be discussed with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) before taking powers
away from it. Ms. McCall-Taylor wondered if, since the ZBA had never had this power, could it be
considered to be being taken away? Mr. Zurlo said there would be a world of difference to the proponent
if proposals went to the ZBA in lieu of Planning Board. Mr. Smith would also like a non-super majority.
Mr. Henry asked if that would save it at Town Meeting.
Mr. Canale asked what would it get us if it passed? Ms. Manz said it’s more symbolic than real; anything
that passes will get a second look, but passing a .35 FAR would indicate that the Town is willing to
accept increased development. Mr. Canale wanted to know if a statement of the majority position of the
Board would be better. Mr. Henry suggested making a statement that the Board is going forward and
would work the plan and see them next year.
Mr. Zurlo supported bringing the amendment forward even it not supported by the proponent to give
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Minutes for the Meeting of March 24, 2008
options to Town Meeting. Ms. Manz said the Board needs to state strongly that its intention is to work on
this next year and it will be looking for some level of additional development. Mr. Hornig said the
community wants to look at commercial development and the Board can do it over the next few years
while bringing something to Town Meeting 2009. Mr. Zurlo thought understanding the process in some
level of detail would be important to share with Town Meeting.
Mr. Canale said that TAC had been asked for an opinion and had sent a response that outlines a process. It
is important to figure out a goal and then how to get there. Mr. Hornig said technical studies, community
outreach, draft and analysis will be needed. He would rather not revisit the master plan first. Mr. Canale
asked what are we trying to get out of it? Mr. Zurlo said the Economical Development Task Force
(EDTF) said there will be a three million dollar shortfall.
Mr. Hornig said tax revenue was not his goal. He is looking at commercial zoning and what we want for
zoning such as performance-based, traffic mitigation, etc. as well as reexamining issues such as
sustainability, better site design and traffic control. Ms. Manz said Town Meeting is interested in more
revenue. Mr. Hornig is willing to work to bring something actionable to Town Meeting 2009. Mr. Canale
said the package of commercial development changes should include traffic and parking. Mr. Hornig the
issues were different in different zones; parking, traffic, setbacks, and lighting in CM (Hartwell/Maguire
area).
Article 54, Mixed Uses in the CM District: Mr. Zurlo said the arguments are the same as for Article 53.
Mr. Hornig sensed that there were three no votes for three different reasons. Mr. Zurlo opposed it because
of possible effects on business in the center; Ms Manz was concerned about the potential for strip malls;
Mr. Canale said it could wait a year.
Article 55, CRO District Floor Area Ratio: “SP” rather than “YES” for light manufacturing. Planning
Board will move to amend, so that line 16.11 would only list light manufacturing as an accessory use
without an additional definition and it would be by special permit.
Article 56, Traffic Bylaw: Mr. Hornig suggested that a compromise position might be to leave the bylaw
exactly as is, except change the level of service from E to D and F to E. Mr. Canale asked if anyone had
said they couldn’t develop, or had not developed, because of this? Ms. Manz said she did not believe so.
Minutes for the Meeting of March 24, 2008 Page 3
Article 59, Parking and Bicycle Facility Standards for Office Use: Mr. Smith has made changes and the
Planning Board now supports the article.
Other Articles: Due to a lack of time the Board will postpone discussion of recommendations on other
articles. Members indicated that they might consider: Article 9A Survey of Affordable Housing
Programs; Article 9G Parker Manor; Article 15E GIS; Article 15I Using traffic mitigation money for
traffic studies; Article 10 Cotton Farm Purchase; Article12 Busa Farm; and Article 43 Resolution about
oil.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Wendy Manz, Clerk