HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-18-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2013
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Planning Office, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chairman Richard Canale with members Michelle
Ciccolo, Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Charles Hornig and Greg Zurlo and planning staff Maryann
McCall-Taylor and Aaron Henry present.
The Board members signed copies their report on Article 34 Zoning Bylaw for filing with the
Town Clerk and the Moderator. Copies of the report were made available Friday at the Police
Station and will be on the table outside of Town Meeting tonight.
******************************TOWN MEETING*********************************
Article 30 Tree Bylaw John Frey and Gerry Paul from the Tree Committee were present. Mr.
Paul gave a brief overview of the proposed bylaw changes. He said it would strengthen the bylaw
in two ways – by increasing the trees subject to the bylaw and increasing the required mitigation
in hopes of saving trees rather than having developers replant or pay into the tree fund. In
addition, it would remove the ambiguity about how the mitigation fee is applied. Board members
discussed the costs of complying with the bylaw and its possible negative effects on economic
development as it has the potential to expand the area of impact on large scale commercial
developments. It was suggested that the Tree Committee focus on specimen trees.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recommend to Town Meeting the adoption
of the tree bylaw amendment.
Planning Board Report under Article 2 Mr. Canale circulated copies of his draft report to Town
Meeting. Members were generally in agreement on the content but suggested emphasizing this
year’s accomplishments more than the prospective work plan.
**************************SPECIAL TOWN MEETING****************************
Article 2 – 33 Marrett Road Mr. Canale reported that the Community Preservation Committee
had voted (7-0) to recommend the supplemental money for support of the purchase, in addition to
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 18, 2013
its previous vote on the actual purchase of the property (7-1). The Capital Expenditures
Committee, the Appropriation Committee and the Board of Selectmen were all unanimous in
their support of the purchase. Many non-Town Meeting members were at the Sunday open house.
The Fire Department had indicated they would seek a secondary access if the mansion were used
for large functions. Mr. Canale quoted from the Heritage Landscape inventory on the importance
of the Tower Park area, which includes the Marrett Road property.
Mr. Hornig raised three concerns. A community center should be in the Center, not on this rural,
open site. This is the most, in both total expenditure and in dollars per acre, of any Town
purchase. The process was inadequate with too little information, too late.
Most of the board members said it was a rare opportunity that should be taken advantage of. Not
all agreed with its use as a community center however.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 to 1 to recommend Article 2 to Town
Meeting, supporting the purchase of the property without regard to its future use, which should be
the subject of further discussion. Mr. Hornig voted in opposition.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
Final proposed draft of the Zoning Bylaw (110 pages)
Draft Planning Board Report under Article 2
Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, Lexington Reconnaissance
Report
Michelle Ciccolo, Clerk