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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-28-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2020 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on October 28, 2020, Virtual Meeting per Governor Baker's Order at 7:00 pm Present: Robert Creech, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Ginna Johnson, Clerk; Richard Canale; and Charles Hornig. Also present was Amanda Loomis, Planning Director. Robert Creech, Chair, read the agenda into the record, introduced members of the Planning Board and Planning Department Staff, and called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Mr. Creech read the following statement relative to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Good evening. Consistent with Governor Baker's Executive Order of March 12, 2020, suspending specific provisions of MGL. c. 30A, §18 due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak of COVID-19, this meeting of the Lexington Planning Board is being conducted remotely. In-person attendance is not permitted at this time. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access real-time proceedings via technological means. In the event access cannot be provided, an audio or video recording of this meeting will be available for review on the Town of Lexington website or through LexMedia as soon as possible after the meeting. For this meeting, the Lexington Planning Board is convening by video conference via Zoom. Specific information for remote participation by the public can be found on the Planning Office’s web page. Please note that this meeting is being recorded. At this time, I will provide a brief review of the meeting proceedings. 1. For each public hearing, the Planning Board will request a presentation from the Applicant or petitioner, followed by an opportunity for the Planning Board to ask questions or provide comments. Then the floor will be open for public comments. 2. All comments during public participation need to be limited to 2 minutes or less and must be respectful. 3. When the time comes for public participation, if you are dialing in, you may use *6 to mute or unmute yourself and *9 to raise or lower your hand. 4. If at any time during the meeting you have a question, please use the Q&A feature, and staff will respond. 1. Development Administration a. 11 Norton Road – Street Adequacy Determination Waiver Request Bob Creech, Chair, referenced a letter from the Planning Office regarding the condition of Norton Road. Mr. Creech questioned if any members of the Planning Board had any comments. Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board find that Norton Road is of adequate grade and construction. Richard Canale seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (roll call: Charles Hornig – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Ginna Johnson – yes; Robert Peters – yes; and Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 28, 2020 2. Town Meeting a. Preparation for Town Meeting – consideration of zoning articles and town meeting articles Bob Creech, Chair, listed several Town Meeting Articles that the Planning Board would like to discuss, which included Articles 10 (Parking Rules), 11C, 14, and 16.  Article 10 Discussion Mr. Creech identified several concerns raised by members of the public relative to parking regulations for Article 10. Mr. Creech noted recent conversations with the Zoning Administrator. Mr. Creech requested comments and thoughts from members of the Planning Board regarding Article 10. Charles Hornig requested clarification regarding the Zoning Administrators' comments regarding the proposed amendment. Mr. Hornig referenced a proposed amendment to Article 10. Mr. Creech and Mr. Hornig briefly discussed the proposed amendments. Ginna Johnson stated this Bylaw should be subject to amendment in the upcoming years. Ms. Johnson further recommended that the Planning Board take a vote for a recommendation if the Zoning Administrator favors the amendments. Robert Peters reviewed his thoughts regarding parking. The Planning Board reviewed and discussed the proposed amendment. The Planning Board continued the discussion to another meeting to allow Mr. Creech to speak with the Zoning Administrator.  Article 11 Discussion The Planning Board reviewed the proposed amendment under Article 11C. Charles Hornig provided background as to the reasoning for the proposed amendment being made by a Town Meeting member. Mr. Hornig stated that he prepared a draft motion for the Planning Board to consider. Mr. Hornig shared his screen and presented his proposed amendment to Article 11. Ginna Johnson provided his support to increase public participation. Robert Peters requested clarification regarding the difference between the proposed modification and Mr. Hornig’s amendment. The Planning Board discussed the proposed amendments. Richard Canale reflected on the Planning Board’s existing regulations. Mr. Canale questioned if the community understands how the Planning Board intends to use the site plan review. The Planning Board concurred that they would speak with others to understand people’s concerns better.  Article 14 Discussion Bob Creech, Chair, shared his screen, which presented a slide of his notes, titled CPTC Workshop of 10-27-2020, Maximizing Local Control over Wireless Facility Siting. Based on comments heard, Mr. Creech stated that staff is not prepared to move forward with regulations at this time. Charles Minutes for the Meeting of October 28, 2020 Page 3 Hornig provided insight regarding wireless infrastructure and the associated process. Richard Canale reviewed his thoughts regarding a range of zoning outcomes to meet FCC regulations, which would allow the Town more control. Mr. Canale noted that Mr. Hornig’s proposal does meet the parameters of what is allowed.  Article 16 Discussion Bob Creech, Chair, requested Charles Hornig present his proposed amendment. Mr. Hornig shared his screen to introduce his proposed amendment relative to incentives for increases in sustainability. Mr. Creech questioned if members of the Planning Board had any comments. Ginna Johnson stated her concerns regarding the lack of a robust public planning process. Robert Peters noted that the proposed amendments continue to move the process along and remain supportive of Article 16. Richard Canale stated his concerns with the increase in height. Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Comments from members of the public were supportive of the bonuses provided in the proposed amendment. The Planning Board continued the discussion to next week. Mr. Canale provided a summary regarding a resolution on equality. Mr. Canale requested clarity from the Planning Board, especially about housing within the Hartwell area. Mr. Canale shared his screen to present an email from the Assistant Town Manager for Development. 3. Board Administration a. Consideration of Support Letter for Lexington Housing Partnership CPC Housing Grant application Ms. Loomis provided a brief review of a potential 40R grant opportunity to support the Town’s application submittal for a MassDevelopment proposal. Ms. Loomis questioned if the Planning Board was amendable of providing a letter of support. Ginna Johnson stated that she was in support, noting a few sentence structure issues. Ginna Johnson moved that the Planning Board vote in favor of providing a letter of support with amendments by the Planning Board Chair and Planning Director. Robert Peters seconded the motion. Charles Hornig stated his concerns as to whether this application submittal is eligible for CPA funding. Mr. Canale noted that he favors this effort but feels that efforts are all over the place. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 4-0-1 (roll call: Ginna Johnson – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Richard Canale- yes; Charles Hornig – abstain; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED b. Release of Executive Session Minutes dated: 05.18.2005; 10.5.2005; 11.16.2005; 09.06.2006; 10.18.2006; 11.01.2006; 04.18.2007; 09.05.2007; 11.04.2009; Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 28, 2020 02.17.2010; 12.15.2010; 05.25.2011; 05.23.2011; 06.20.2012; 06.05.2013; 08.20.2014; 10.01.2014; 04.12.2017 (subject to Town Counsel review) Ms. Loomis provided a review of recent redactions made by Town Counsel. The Planning Board briefly discussed the request to review the executive session minutes to the following meeting. c. Board Member Updates  Robert Peters provided a brief update on the Vision 2020 Survey, which is conducted every five years. Mr. Peters stated that the Planning Board is encouraged to review what was asked in 2017 and provide input and guidance on what the Planning Board wants to learn from the community.  Charles Hornig noted that the Hartwell Zoning Initiative hosts a public meeting tomorrow, which is not a posted meeting. The Planning Board discussed the Open Meeting Law.  Bob Creech, Chair, provided an overview of an MBTA meeting recently held, which focused on budget cuts. Mr. Canale provided a brief overview of various transportation efforts relative to busing. d. Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Schedule Bob Creech, Chair, briefly discussed the Vision 2020 survey and the need to provide input relative to the requested questions. e. Review of Meeting Minutes for September 14, October 7, October 13, October 14, October 19, and October 21, 2020  Ricard Canale stated that he had an amendment to the minutes of October 14, relative to Article 16 and the Planning Board’s decision. Mr. Canale requested an amendment to include not to taking a position. The Planning Board discussed the proposed language amendment. The Planning Board suggested that the language read, “Three Planning Board members decided that their position supporting Article 16 was sufficient.”  Ginna Johnson requested an amendment to the last sentence of her statements under Article 16. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board vote to approve the Planning Board Meeting Minutes of September 14, October 7, October 13, October 19, and October 21, 2020. Richard Canale seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Ginna Johnson – yes; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED Adjournment Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of October 28, 2020. Richard seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Ginna Johnson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm Ginna Johnson, Clerk of the Planning Board Minutes for the Meeting of October 28, 2020 Page 5