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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 16, 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 6:05 p.m. by Chairman Hornig with members Canale, Zurlo and
Manz and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Galaitsis joined the meeting in
progress.
Four people were in the audience.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 2008 TOWN MEETING**************************
The Board reviewed their positions on Article 52-60 one last time before Town Meeting.
Article 52, Countryside: The Board discussed taking a position on dividing the Article into two parts. Mr.
Galaitsis joined the meeting. The Board took no position on that matter. The vote remained, 3-2, (Mr.
Canale and Mr. Galaitsis opposed) to recommend approval of this article to Town Meeting.
Article 53, CM District Floor Area Ratio: The vote remained, 5-0, to recommend the disapproval of
Article 53 to Town Meeting as written.
Article 54, Mixed Uses in the CM District: The vote remained, 4-1, (Mr. Hornig opposed), to recommend
the disapproval of Article 54 to Town Meeting.
Article 55, CRO District Floor Area Ratio: The vote remained, 3-2, (Mr. Canale and Mr. Galaitsis
opposed), to support passage of Article 55 with the amendment described on page five of the report.
Article 56, Traffic Bylaw: The vote remained, 3-2, (Mr. Hornig and Ms. Manz opposed), to not
recommend Article 56 to Town Meeting.
Article 57, Development Standards: The Article will be indefinitely postponed.
Article 58, Transition Areas and Setbacks: The vote remained, 3-2, (Mr. Hornig and Ms. Manz opposed),
to not recommend Article 58 to Town Meeting.
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Minutes for the Meeting of April 16, 2008
Article 59, Parking and Bicycle Facility Standards for Office Use: On a motion duly made and seconded,
it was voted, 5-0, to divide the motion. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-1, (Mr.
Galaitsis opposed) to support the first half of the motion. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was
voted, 5-0, to support the second half of the motion.
Article 60, Parking Standards for Retail Sales: The Article will be indefinitely postponed.
************************************** TRAFFIC**************************************
Intersection at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street: The Central Transportation Planning Staff
(CPTS) sent an analysis of traffic studies to the Town regarding the intersection at Massachusetts Avenue
and Maple Street. The Board discussed scenarios for possible improvements of the intersection. A letter
from engineering was reviewed and discussed. The Board needed to decide if there were any issues with
this letter since they were referenced as part of the group making these recommendations.
Mr. Canale said the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) does a number of studies usually on
major traffic areas. Some that are not considered major enough to require a single study are sent to CPTS
to study as a group. He said the town should not expect any MPO funding. Mr. Hornig said that the Board
should prepare for a small amount of collaboration, but not much more.
Mr. Canale said he thought the police would prefer a traffic signal, but supports a roundabout. Mr. Hornig
was concerned with the issue of pedestrian safety with a roundabout.
Audience Comments: Mr. Sam Silverman asked whom was the letter being sent to. He asked about the
roundabout on Bright Street in Belmont and if there were any information from the people in Belmont
near the roundabout. Mr. Silverman found the roundabout to be annoying. Mr. Canale said federal money
does the studies to find solutions and innovative ways to solve problems.
Mr. Joel Adler said that whether it is a rotary or roundabout rear-ending would still remain a problem.
Mr. Zurlo said the effectiveness of any intersection configuration can be measured by how well it controls
where vehicles move. Two lane rotaries are problematic because of less control and a greater area for
Minutes for the Meeting of April 16, 2008 Page 3
cars to move in. Mr. Canale said a roundabout would reduce pavement.
*******************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE*********************
On April 23, 2008 there will be a regular planning Board meeting in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at
7:30 p.m.
Mr. Hornig said the Board was looking to recruit an Associate Planning Board Member. All letters of
interest should go to the Planning Staff.
***********************************BOARD REPORTS*********************************
Ms. Manz said the Chamber of Commerce supports Larry Smith’s Articles 53 through 60 and takes no
position on Article 52.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to endorse the content of the letter to CTPS.
The Board recessed at 6:45 p.m., to reconvene at Town Meeting in Cary Auditorium.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Wendy Manz, Clerk