HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-04-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2020
Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board
Held on November 4, 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 7:01 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 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. Town Meeting
a. Preparation for Town Meeting – consideration of amendments to zoning Article
10 – Short Term Rentals
Bob Creech, Chair, provided a brief overview of the article amendments and
conversations with the Zoning Administrator. Mr. Creech requested comments from
the Planning Board. The Planning Board chose not to amend their position.
Richard Canale moved that the Planning Board does not support the amendments.
Charles Hornig seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the
motion 4-0-1 (roll call: Richard Canale – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Ginna
Johnson – Abstain; Robert Peters – yes; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 4, 2020
The Planning Board took public comments regarding Article 10. A member of the
public stated that there was confusion about what is in the motion and what is in the
comments.
b. Preparation for Town Meeting – consideration of amendments to zoning Article
11C – Site Plan Review
Charles Hornig provided a brief review of the proposed amendments to Article 11C.
The Planning Board discussed the modifications associated with Article 11C, which
included a difference between a public hearing and a public meeting.
Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board vote to amend Article 11C as show
relative to major site plan review. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The
Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 3-1-1 (roll call: Charles Hornig – yes;
Robert Peters – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Ginna Johnson – Abstain; Bob Creech
– yes). MOTION PASSED
c. Preparation for Town Meeting – consideration of amendments to zoning Article
14 – Wireless Communication Facilities
Bob Creech, Chair, briefly reviewed Article 14. Mr. Creech questioned if members of
the Planning Board had any comments. Richard Canale and Robert Peters stated that
they did not have any comments. Charles Hornig requested clarification regarding the
recent Citizen Planning Training Collaborative session regarding Wireless
Communication, which did not recommend changes. Ginna Johnson stated her
concerns relative to Wireless Communication Facilities on wetlands, habitats, and
historical resources. However, Ms. Johnson noted that there is limited ability for the
Town to regulate these facilities.
Mr. Creech provided an overview of his thoughts presented at the CPTC Workshop
of 10-27-2020, Maximizing Local Control over Wireless Facility Siting. The
Planning Board briefly discussed topics identified by Mr. Creech.
The Planning Board agreed to do nothing now.
d. Preparation for Town Meeting – consideration of amendments to zoning Article
16 – Hartwell Avenue Area Map and Zoning
Bob Creech, Chair, referenced a statement made by Charles Hornig at the Select
Board meeting relative to a building's height. Mr. Hornig provided a brief update to
the Planning Board regarding his recent amendments to Article 16 relative to
sustainability.
Richard Canale provided comments relative to sustainability, which included an
incentive for Applicants to meet the Town’s sustainability requirements. Mr. Canale
briefly discussed housing and systemic racism relative to Articles 16 and 17.
2. Board Administration
a. 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;
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
The Planning Board briefly discussed the executive session minutes.
Minutes for the Meeting of November 4, 2020 Page 3
Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board vote to release the redacted
executive meeting minutes of 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; 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. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The Planning Board
voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (roll call: Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Peters –
yes; Ginna Johnson – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION
PASSED
b. Discussion of changes to site plan review regulations (chapter 176-9.0) to
support lowering Green House Gas emissions in new construction
Charles Hornig provided a brief review of his discussions relative to Article 16
regarding sustainability. Mr. Hornig suggested amending the Planning Board
regulations to include sustainability requirements. Mr. Hornig requested that the
Planning Board open a work item for the winter. Ginna Johnson supported the effort
but requested additional language for design standards and review standards. Mr.
Hornig stated it should be covered in all efforts. Richard Canale, Robert Peters, Mr.
Creech, supported the effort.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Comments in support of the
Planning Board’s work effort was provided.
c. Follow up of Hartwell Zoning Initiative October 29, 2020 Community Meeting:
Topic: stormwater/environmental constraints
Ms. Loomis provided a brief update regarding Hartwell's second public outreach
meeting, which reviewed stormwater and environmental constraints. The Planning
Board briefly discussed the constraints relative to Hartwell.
d. Board Member Updates
Charles Hornig briefly discussed Community Preservation Committee
funding requests for FY22 funding requests. Mr. Hornig called out the
upcoming League of Women Voters discussion regarding solar. Mr. Hornig
further noted that MAGIC was meeting next week.
Richard Canale had a question if the Chair or staff has heard any scheduling
for Town Meeting. Mr. Creech stated that a schedule had not been
announced. Mr. Hornig noted that two items have been scheduled.
e. Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Schedule
Mr. Creech asked the Planning Board when they should be meeting on Monday. The
Planning Board agreed to meet at 6:30 pm on Monday.
The Planning Board reviewed the rest of the upcoming meetings over the next few
weeks.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of November 4, 2020.
Richard Canale seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0
MOTION PASSED
Meeting adjourned at 9:26 pm
Ginna Johnson, Clerk of the Planning Board