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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MAY 22, 2013
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room,
Town Office Building was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Chairman Richard Canale with
members Charles Hornig, Michelle Ciccolo, and Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti and planning staff
Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry, and Lori Kaufman present. Greg Zurlo was absent.
************************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION*********************
14 Tavern Lane, Street Determination :
Robert Bibbo, Surveyor and Ernie Rogers, the applicant, were present for the meeting. The
applicant requested a determination of adequacy of the grade and construction of Tavern Lane.
Mr. Bibbo explained that the improvement to the road would be added to where the previous road
improvement left off for an additional 125 feet to meet the existing pavement, would try to keep
the existing grade at approximately 8%, created an additional catch basin, and super elevated the
west side of the road to allow for drainage.
Board Concerns and Comments:
There was no side walk shown on the private way. Mr. Bibbo said there was a lot of
shrubbery that would need to be removed and since it was a private way and decided to
bring it before the Board for guidance.
What would be the cross slope grade? Mr. Bibbo said it would be minimal, but was not
sure of percentage.
The grade of the road presented was a safety concern.
The width of the proposed road would be 18 feet why not add to the eastern side of the
road to make it 20 feet? Mr. Bibbo wanted to save the area for the neighbors and
preserve the evergreens.
Audience Concerns and Comments:
If the previous road improvement only required a 16 foot width why require 18 feet now?
If the road was widened it would require a wall to be installed, tearing up a berm,
relocation of telephone poles, and the removal of pine trees and shrubs.
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of May 22, 2013
The concern about the museum being at Monroe Tavern makes no sense since there was
no egress from to the community center without going over the wall and through the
woods.
There was very little pedestrian traffic and appears to be no reason to install a sidewalk.
Board Comments and Concerns:
Considering the amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic a sidewalk does not appear to be
necessary in this situation.
The traveled way may narrow to no less than 17.5 feet as shown on the plan in front of 12
Tavern Lane, but otherwise must be 18 feet wide.
The final grading of the proposed traveled way may not exceed 12%.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the plan as presented with the
following conditions the final grading of the traveled way may not exceed 12% and a width no
less than 17.5 feet wide, as shown on the plan, to preserve vegetation in front of 12 Tavern Lane,
but otherwise must be 18 feet wide.
**********************SPECIAL TOWN MEETING********************************
Discuss the warrant for June 17:
Article 4, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC):
There will be a public hearing on June 12 on this matter. The placeholder was done last minute to
meet the advertising deadline for the June 17 Special Town Meeting. The Board discussed that a
moratorium would be the responsible thing to do to allow proactive planning for the proper
location and get feedback from the community on the issue.
Article 2, TIF:
There are two potential sites on Hartwell Avenue that UniQure Inc., is considering to locate its
company. The Article will authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a TIF Agreement that
was being handled by a negotiating team that has been established to work on an agreement.
Mr. Hornig said that the EDAC, based on the publicly available information was not in favor of a
TIF since it would be a relatively small company and be located in an existing structure, but
recommended the Town ease the permitting requirements and provide other incentives to make it
more welcoming.
Minutes for the Meeting of May 22, 2013 Page 3
********************************STAFF REPORTS*******************************
Housing update:
The Lexington Housing Authority will be creating four additional affordable units for Greeley
Village and will go before the Zoning Board of Appeals before the end of the summer. Mr. Henry
asked the Board if it would be willing to issue a letter of support for the additional units to be
added. The Board agreed to issue a letter in concept, but that does not include any site issues that
may arise in during the process. Mr. Henry will prepare the letter for the Board to review.
FY 2104 work plan:
The Board will review the document handed out and will email staff with their top five choices
by May 30 to be discussed at the next meeting. The Board will also review the recommended
goals suggested in the past to the Board of Selectmen and reissue the list after removing the goals
that were already accomplished.
*************************PLANNING BOARD SCHEDULE************************
The Planning Board will meet on June 5 for continued public hearing on Lincoln/Middle streets,
June 12 a public hearing on Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, June 17 for the Special Town
meeting, and June 19 for a public hearing on 150 East Street. The tentative summer schedule for
the Planning Board meetings will be July 17, 31 and August 14.
********************************BOARD REPORTS******************************
There is a MAPC Annual Meeting in Quincy on May 29, 2013.
The Historic Commission requested a walk through of 376 Lincoln Street to determine what
elements should be preserved. It was suggested that approval could be done as a special permit,
but the conditions would have to be laid more out clearly than has been done in the past.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia.
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of May 22, 2013
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
Memorandum from staff, dated May 3, 2013 on the 2014 FY Work Plan (2 pages).
Town Warrant for June 17, 2013 Special Town Meeting (2 pages).
Agenda item Summary and staff recommendations, dated April 24, 2013 for 14 Tavern
Lane (2 pages).
Letter from Bibbo Brothers, dated April 17, 2013 regarding 14 Tavern Lane (1 page).
Proposed plans for 14 Tavern Lane, dated April 12, 2013 (4 pages).
Michelle Ciccolo, Clerk