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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2021
Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board
Held on October 6, 2021, Virtual Meeting at 7:00 pm
Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert
Creech, Melanie Thompson, and Michael Leon, associate member. Also present were Amanda
Loomis, Planning Director and Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director.
Charles Hornig, Chair, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on
Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 7:02 pm. For this meeting, the Planning Board is
convening by video conference via Zoom. LexMedia may broadcast this meeting live and
will record it for future viewing. Detailed information for remote participation by the
public may be found on the Planning Office web page.
Mr. Hornig conducted a roll call to ensure all members of the Planning Board and
members of staff present can hear and be heard.
Mr. Hornig provided a summary of instructions for members of the public in attendance.
It was further noted that written materials for this meeting are available on the Town’s
NovusAGENDA dashboard.
*****************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION*********************
440 Bedford Street, Site Plan Review, Public Hearing:
Mr. Hornig opened the public hearing and said it will be continued without testimony to
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board continue without testimony the public hearing
for 440 Bedford Street to October 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Michael Schanbacher seconded the
motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes;
Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech -
yes). MOTION PASSED
Special Permit and Site Plan Review Regulations: Continued Public Hearing:
Mr. Hornig opened the continued public hearing for sections §176-9 and 12. Section 9
procedural rules will be presented first. Ms. Loomis explained the changes to section 9
and creation of section 12 for design regulations.
Board Comments and Questions:
Mr. Peters, Mr. Creech, Mr. Schanbacher, and Ms. Thompson had no questions.
Mr. Hornig pointed out some numerical section references that were incorrect.
Public Comments and Questions:
In the former section 9 there was a requirement for a draft LEED checkpoint list and want
to make sure it was still there.
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 6, 2021
Board Comments and Questions:
Mr. Creech asked Ms. Loomis and Mr. Hornig is there anything in the document that you
wish was there and was not there?
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board close the public hearing on §176-9 Site Plan
Review Regulations. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in
favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael
Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adopt the §176-9 Site Plan Review Regulations
with the change adding the submission of the LEED checklist and other scrivener errors.
Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion
5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes;
Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED
Mr. Hornig continued the public hearing with §176-12 for the new design regulations. Ms.
Loomis presented the changes to the Design Standard Regulations for the language and the
Landscaping Planting List.
Board Comments and Questions:
Ms. Thompson did not see any reference in section 12.4.5 public transportation
accommodations for ride sharing to make it accessible. Language will be added for a
place for pick up or drop off for carpooling and ride-sharing.
Mr. Peters asked for clarification on what were the criteria for assembling the planting
list and was anything taken into account for the shifting climate change for the future.
Mr. Peters said there was material from Ms. Arens’ letter that would be worth discussing.
Mr. Creech requested clarification that in section 12.3.5.2 clearing of vegetation should
say clearing of non- invasive vegetation. In section 12.3.12 noise should it say where a
project is located within or adjacent to or directly abuts a property with residential use.
Mr.Hornig’s suggestion was accepted.
Mr. Schanbacher said that on the plant list the Ginko can switch gender. There is no need
to take it off, but he wanted to make it clear. In section 12.5 this gives us a guide, but is a
little too vague. 12.5.2.3 can be interpreted in many different ways and it falls back on us
on how we interpret this and we may need to make adjustments to this text.
Mr. Creech asked that in section 12.5.1.3 regarding mechanical equipment we add
excepting rooftop equipment that the Board agree adds to the overall aesthetic of the
building. Mr. Schanbacher agreed with this suggestion. Mr. Leon said we should not be
so prescriptive, so to dictate what future projects should have or should not have and
would like to leave it open to responses by those most affected by a project in the future.
This would be added to a list for future discussion. Mr. Creech added that his suggestion
was intended to give the Applicant more flexibility and not less flexibility.
Public Comments and Questions:
The Planning Board received a number of comments from the public and took comments
under them consideration individually and agreed what would be removed or added to the
document.
Minutes for the Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 3
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board close the public hearing on §176-12 Site Plan
and Special Permit Design Regulations. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The
Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie
Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes).
MOTION PASSED
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adopt the §176-12 Site Plan and Special Permit
Design Regulations with the change with the changes agreed tonight and other scrivener
errors. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the
motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher
– yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED
***************************TOWN MEETING*****************************
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Amend Zoning Bylaw - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Permitting: Continued
Public Hearing:
Mr. Hornig opened the continued public hearing. Mr. Hornig presented the updated revised
proposed zoning bylaw amendment for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Permitting with the few
changes from the last meeting.
Board Comments and Questions:
Ms. Thompson and Mr. Schanbacher had no comments on the changes.
Mr. Peters liked the addition of abilities.
Mr. Creech asked for clarification on permitting more than one resident in a rooming
unit. He interpreted the wording under “Description”, to say that, when combined with
the new definition of Household and Roomer, an unlimited number of people could be in
a Household and, therefore, an unlimited number of people would qualify as a Roomer
and could occupy a Rooming Unit (a bedroom). Mr. Hornig said that the number of
people who could occupy a Rooming Unit would be limited to whatever rules that the
Board of Health has in place. That number was not known off hand at the meeting.
Public Comments and Questions:
Using Lexington Meadows as the background how would the new zoning in section
9.4.2.1 on social equity be applied to this project?
A request for clarification on how this article was approached with literature, research,
studies and drafting in creating this Amendment. There should be a clean article that
simply focuses on the diversity, equity and inclusion issues. Use an incremental approach
for other inter-related articles and separate these two articles. Bring DEI to Fall Special
Town Meeting and the Permitting part to the Spring Annual town meeting.
Board Comments and Questions:
Ms. Thompson said it was good as it stands and this should move forward.
Mr. Peters said it may not be perfect, but is very good and we should move forward
with it.
Mr. Creech said he has had an issue all along and has been worrying about portions of
this proposal but will not vote against it and that he may abstain.
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 6, 2021
Mr. Schanbacher agreed with Mr. Peters.
Mr. Hornig said he understands things could have been done differently, but felt it is
important to move forward.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board close the public hearing on Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion and Permitting. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board
voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes;
Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend approval to Town Meeting of the
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Permitting Zoning Bylaw in substantially the form as
presented tonight. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in
favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael
Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED
Amend Zoning Bylaw Open Space Residential Developments (OSRD): Continued
Public Hearing:
Mr. Hornig said this will be heard at the next meeting along with other items that were
not discussed tonight.
**********************BOARD ADMINISTRATION*************************
Review Work Plan:
The Board discussed the updated work plan dated September 29, 2021. This will go on
the agenda for next week’s meeting.
Hartwell Innovation Park Welcome/Directional Sign:
This will be taken up at the next meeting October 13, 2021.
Staff Updates:
The regulations will be updated and placed on the website.
The Complete Streets public workshop is on October 19. Visit the website.
Board Member Updates:
Mr. Creech gave an update on MAGIC and said there was a presentation on how the
MPO operates. There will be a webinar available on how they operate. There was a
discussion on the future of work which was recorded.
Mr. Hornig said the Select Board is having their goal setting on Tuesday which he will
attend. If you have something you want them to do send it to staff and they will send it to
him. They will also discuss the warrant.
Mr. Peters said that Ms. Loomis circulated the Vision Survey to the Board as it will be
circulated.
Minutes for the Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 5
Upcoming Meetings:
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There will be a meeting on October 13. On October 20 there are three preliminary
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subdivision. The next meeting will be November 3 followed by Fall Special Town
Meeting.
Review Meeting Minutes for September 9, 2021:
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board approve the minutes of September 9, 2021
meeting as distributed. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted
in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes;
Melanie Thompson – yes; Robert Creech – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED.
Adjourn
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of October 6, 2021.
Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion
5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes;
Robert Creech – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 pm
Lex Media recorded the meeting.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on the Planning Board website in Planning
Board packets.
Zoning Proposals:
Site Plan Review and Special Permit Design Regulations dated September 28,
2021 (8 pages).
Draft section 9 Planning Board Regulations dated October 1, 2021 (13 pages).
Town Meeting:
Draft Zoning Bylaw Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Permitting dated September 27,
2021 (3 pages).
Other topics:
Work Plan dated September 29, 2021 (3 pages).
Michael Schanbacher, Clerk of the Planning Board