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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2015
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Lexington High School, Room 143, was
called to order 6:04 p.m. by Chairman Charles Hornig, with members Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti,
Richard Canale, Timothy Dunn, Ginna Johnson and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor and
Aaron Henry present.
**************************TOWN MEETING ARTICLES*************************
Since those in the audience indicated that they were present to hear the discussion on article
positions, particularly Article 43, the Board took up the matter out of order.
Article 43 – Demolition Delay:Opinions as to the ineffectiveness of the current 12 month delay
were expressed and it was hoped that a change might help. A duly made and seconded motion
for the Planning Board to support the passage of Article 43 failed by a vote of 2-0-3. Mr. Canale
and Ms. Johnson voted in favor and the remaining Board members abstained. They wanted to
hear from the Historical Commission first.
Article 47 - Medical Marijuana:The Board discussed the process for this article at Town
Meeting. Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti will give the report, other committees will weigh in and then
the Planning Board will make a motion to refer the matter back to the Board. If the motion to
refer fails, the Board will vote their position on the article motion on the floor of Town Meeting.
On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the report on Article 47.
Article 48 - Commercial Zoning District Lines: The ten black and white maps will be attached to
the report and a packet of larger colored maps will be made for each precinct. The Board
reconsidered its votes on some of the districts. On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was
voted, 5-0, to recommend 48B (242-246 Bedford St.) and 48D (Bedford St. & Reed St.). There
was further discussion on 48F (Lowell St. & Woburn St.) and whether or not to bring it forward
to Town Meeting. It was observed that this was a large parcel in comparison to most of the other
adjustments. There had been no neighborhood opposition at the public hearing where abutters
had been notified. The current situation is a result of many variances and the proposal would
bring it back into zoning. On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-1, Mr. Canale in
opposition, to bring the Article 48Fforward and recommend its approval. On a motion, duly
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 18, 2015
made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to recommend Article 48H (Marrett Rd. & Spring St.).
The report on Article 48 was approved by a vote of 5-0.
Article 49 - Civic Use District: Members wanted to see more in the report about the benefit to
establishing the zone. The subdivision on the Middlesex Hospital site would illustrate a reason
for this zone. Allowing for-profit schools by right was a concern, yet the Board wanted to allow
something like the Munroe Center for the Arts to fit within the zone. On a motion, duly made and
seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to require a special permit for a school not exempt by statue (line
H.1.014), and for instruction in music or the arts (line H.1.014.1). On a motion, duly made and
seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the report with suggested changes and to recommend the
motion to Town Meeting.
Article 50 - CM District, Waltham Line near Route 128/I95: There had been many edits
submitted and incorporated in the report. On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-
0, to approve the report.
:
Article 51 Site Plan Review ApplicabilityOn a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted,
5-0, to approve the report.
Article 52 – Technical Corrections: On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to
reconsider the recommendation vote and then on a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted,
5-0, to approve the report and recommend the article to Town Meeting.
Article 53 - Bank Moratorium: The Board wanted the chart on non-store front offices included in
the report. On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the report.
*************************** LONG RANGE PLANNING***************************
Open Space and Recreation Plan. On a motion duly made and seconded the Board voted 5 -0 to
authorize the chair to draft and sign a letter endorsing the Open and Space and Recreation Plan.
There were some minor recommended edits that would be forwarded to the Conservation
Commission as well.
Minutes for the Meeting of March 18, 2015 Page 3
*********************** DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION**********************
Willard Circle – The endorsement of the plans was be put off until the following week.as the
estimated Cost to Construct had not been received.
**************************ORGANIZATION & SCHEDULE************************
The discussion of the work plan was postponed until at least Wednesday, March 25.
**************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS************************
Mr. Canale reported that he had traffic data on pedestrian bike crashes that he would be sharing
with the Transportation Safety Group.
*********************************** MINUTES**********************************
On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the minutes of February 11,
2015 and March 9, 2015.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by LexMedia.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
Draft reports for 2015 Annual Town Meeting
1. Art 47 – Med. Marijuana (3 pages)
2. Art 48 – Commercial District Lines (4 pages)
3. Art 49 – Governmental/Civic Use District (20 pages)
4. Art 50 – CM District, Waltham Line near Route 128/I95 (2 pages)
5. Art 51 – Site Plan Review (1 page)
6. Art. 52 – Technical Corrections (3 pages)
7. Art. 53 CB District Moratorium on Banks (2 pages)
Timothy Dunn, Clerk