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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-07-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 7, 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 6:03 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Canale, Galaitsis and Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Zurlo was absent. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 2008 TOWN MEETING************************** The Board discussed their position on the following Articles: 1) Article 15a- Woburn Street Reconstruction: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1 (Mr. Galaitsis abstained) to support; 2) Article 15d- CBD Sidewalks: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 3-0-1 (Mr. Hornig abstained) to support; 3) Article 48- Monroe School Disposition: The CPC deferred to Town Meeting. The Planning Board needs to see the motion before making a decision; 4) Article 55- The motion will not include a new definition of light manufacturing: Ms. Manz asked if a special permit for light manufacturing was still needed since it is only a 25 percent accessory use. Mr. Hornig still strongly supported requiring a special permit. Mr. Canale and Mr. Galaitsis were not inclined to change their position; 5) Article 2 Report- The Board reviewed the Article 2 report to be given at Town Meeting: It was suggested that “very aggressive goal” be rephrased to “very ambitious goal”. Selectmen George Burnell said when the article on FAR on Hartwell Avenue comes forward, he plans on doing a minority report as he believe that there is no way the Board can complete all the changes within a year. Mr. Canale said the Board could not thoroughly examine everything and come up with an integrated approach with changes that would make sense. Mr. Galaitsis said that he would like to see the EDTF report (which will reflect the views of a broad range of stakeholders) before considering supporting most of the articles; he would also like to see an integrated approach. Mr. Hornig said there are some things the Board and staff could do well in a year, but it would never be perfect. People are not willing to wait the time needed for perfection. The Article 2 Report will be rephrased and made clearer regarding the Planning Board’s goals. 6) Article 49- Mr. Galaitsis does not plan to offer an amendment. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 7, 2008 At 6:25 p.m., the Planning Board recessed to join the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting. ******************* JOIN THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING ********************** Chairman Krieger, Mr. Kelley, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Manz and Mr. Burnell; Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Pease, Executive Clerk, were present. Article Positions/Assignments Mr. Farrington, representing the owners of the Countryside Plaza, presented information on Article 52, Amend Zoning By-Law, CRS Zone 303, 311-325 Woburn Street, 400 Lowell Street. This article proposes to rezone two pieces of property from RO to CRS: 1) 303 Woburn Street is in the RO zone; and 2) a piece of the existing Countryside Plaza is zoned RO. This could allow a maximum 2,700 square foot expansion of the Countryside Plaza. The owners plan to provide a site plan to the Board of Appeals and ask the Design Advisory Committee to review. They also plan to reduce the curb cuts, improve traffic flow, and add landscape buffering. The owners have agreed to not stack snow on the sidewalks and will make the sidewalks passable by having them better defined. The Planning Board supports this article 3-2. It is an opportunity to improve the intersection and make the sidewalks safer, and a 20-foot buffer zone would be required. It would also increase tax revenue to the Town. Mr. Weiss, Precinct 5, opposes the article. He states that: The owners have not done anything to improve the area in the 20 years they have owned the property. There is no enforcement and it would increase the safety concerns at the corner of Lowell and Woburn Streets. The project would also take away an affordable home. Ms. Crocker, Currier Court, is concerned with pedestrian safety for seniors and children because of the close proximity to the Old Harrington School and the new Harrington School. The neighbors believe the volume of traffic will increase and they want to see traffic calming measures. There is no concrete development plan and this project would encourage future sprawl. Minutes for the Meeting of April 7, 2008 Page 3 Mr. Barkley, 295 Woburn Street, says all promises have been broken. The dumpsters are emptied at 7:00 a.m. This project would affect the abutting elderly housing. Ms. Janburiwong, 290 Woburn Street, has gathered 100 signatures to bring to Town Meeting saying “please vote no” on Article 52. It is important to make the sidewalks safe for children to walk or bike to school. The Selectmen support this article 3-1 (Kelley opposed, Burnell no position at this time). Approval of the article will improve the sidewalks and safety of the area and the owners will have to comply with buffering requirements and become less non-conforming. Mr. Kelley believes this is the wrong approach and that it should be a CD rezoning and will provide a minority report at Town Meeting. At 7:25 p.m., the Planning Board returned to the Planning Office and continued the Planning Board Meeting in the Planning Office, Town Office Building Mr. Galaitsis stated that the count of votes should be cited in the oral report to Town Meeting if the vote was not unanimous. Mr. Hornig said the Board’s position is by a majority vote, he speaks for the Board’s position even when it is not his side. Ms. Manz said the intent is not to mislead, the signatures reflect the vote. She is concerned that the Planning Board is seen as only a group of people at odds; there is no need to highlight the division of the Board at every opportunity. Mr. Galaitsis said the Appropriation Committee states, “The Appropriation Committee by a vote of _ to _ recommends…..” Mr. Canale said the more transparent, the better; a vote of 3-2 or 2-3 does not reflect negatively on the Board. There is an obligation to present the position of the board but without balance there will be a loss of all credibility. Mr. Hornig said he would not report the vote. Mr. Galaitsis said then he would get up and report the count. Ms. Manz said that would further affect the Planning Board’s image. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Wendy Manz, Clerk