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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-27-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER 27, 2021 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on October 27, 2021, Virtual Meeting at 7:00 pm Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert Creech; and Melanie Thompson. Also present was Amanda Loomis, Planning Director. Mr. Leon joined the meeting in progress. Charles Hornig, Chair, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 7:00 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 continued public hearing. Present were Mr. Ed Grant, attorney; Elisha Long, of Trammell Crow Company; Dave Kelly, Kelly Engineering; Randy Kreie, architect, of Dimella Shaffer; Robert Adams, landscape architect, of Halvorson Design; and Sean Kelly, traffic engineer, of Vannasse & Associates. Mr. Grant said he had exchanged final revisions to the decision with the planning staff this afternoon and found it acceptable. He requested that if the Board deemed the decision appropriate he would appreciate the Board vote on the project at this time. Board Member Comments and Questions:  Mr. Creech had no comments or questions.  Mr. Peters requested clarification on wording on page 5 for sustainable design (b) and on page 11 number 45.  Mr. Schanbacher had no questions.  Ms. Thompson had no questions. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board close the public hearing for 440 Bedford Street Site Plan review. Mr. 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 Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2021 Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board approve the site plan for 440 Bedford Street dated October 27, 2021 as set forth in the staff memo with the Planning Director authorized to correct any scrivener’s errors. Mr. 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***************************** Historic District, Article 9 Report and Presentation: Mr. Leon joined the meeting in progress. Mr. Hornig said the report for the Historic District was now presented in a different way. Mr. Hornig shared the updated presentation with the Planning Board showing only two properties as historically significant. Board Comments and Questions:  Mr. Creech said he would pass on this and would depend on the Board members to see how it would go.  Mr. Schanbacher said this now made more sense to him with the tighter boundary. He was hung up on the fact that they were preserving the gardens, most of which are gone. This seemed more reasonable.  Ms. Thompson said she didn’t understand the motivation of this. She asked for clarification on what the purpose was for this historic preservation revision to the presentation. She wished that someone from the Historic District Commission was present to explain the revisions.  Mr. Hornig said he was unhappy with the justification for the boundaries, but could accept that it may be a valid decision to say these two properties are significant and the other three are not as significant. He was still curious why some properties were not included.  Mr. Creech will support this.  Mr. Peters said the district was more defensible in this format then previously and would support this. Public Comments and Questions:  The Massachusetts Historical Commission encouraged the Town of Lexington to support the establishment of this historic district and encouraged additional historic districts. Bob Creech moved that the Planning Board reconsider its recommendation to the Fall Special Town Meeting for the proposed Article 9, Mount Independent Historic District. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2021 Page 3 Mr. Peters asked if the Planning Board could choose not to make a recommendation on this since the report has not changed and only the presentation has. Mr. Leon said he did not believe the Planning Board was compelled to abide by the recommendations of the Historic District Commission. Bob Creech moved that the Planning Board recommend approval to the Fall Special Town Meeting for the proposed Article 9, Mount Independent Historic District. The motion failed for a lack of a second. The Planning Board did not take a position on this Article due to a lack of consensus. Special Town Meeting Article 1; Planning Board Report: The Board said there was no reason to add an Article 1 report. 2022 Annual Town Meeting: Innovation Park: Mr. Hornig presented the revised proposed amended Zoning Bylaw for the Innovation Park for the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. The Board discussed the proposal and their thoughts on the proposed changes and additions that they felt should be included. This discussion will help prioritize on how we move forward and what needs to be done for next year to bring back Article 45 from the 2021 Annual Town Meeting. Public Comments:  A question was asked on why the sustainable design section was missing.  A concern was expressed that if allowing by-right development the sustainable design elements will need to be included.  What do Planning Board Members think about the omission of the sustainable design from this proposed amendment? Planning Board Comments:  Mr. Peters agreed that the sustainable design elements should be put back in the proposal.  Mr. Schanbacher asked for clarification on what the Planning Board role is.  Mr. Creech said we have an obligation to go back to this and talk more about it and should be in this proposal. Maybe we should put the sustainable elements in but need to make sure it can be done and we are not asking for too much.  Mr. Leon supported the goal of requiring the best energy efficiencies practices available but doesn’t want to put us at a disadvantage for Economic Development. Developers are currently freezing our zoning to protect themselves. He explained that the Attorney General does not always look at the small details of these zoning amendments.  Ms. Thompson said we have to focus on our future, but cannot do it by tension when we discuss the issues and need to work it out where it is helpful as opposed to being so angry. It takes multiple times to get these things done and we will get it done. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2021 Public Comments:  Concern was express about the missing sustainable design elements which was passed in zoning and was in the proposal of Article 45 in the earlier Town Meeting. We view this as a competitive advantage not a disadvantage.  The Board should start with the sustainable elements and can always refine this proposal later if the issues prove to be barriers. This will be discussed further after the Fall Special Town Meeting in December. 2022 Annual Town Meeting: Planning Board Chair and Town Meeting: Mr. Hornig presented the amendment to the special act to make the Chair of the Planning Board be a Town Meeting Member At Large as the Chairs of the School Committee, Capital Expenditures Committee, and Appropriation Committee are. Board Comments and Questions:  Mr. Creech said it seemed like a common sense to do but the only concern was we do zoning and the chair would have quite a lot of influence over Town Meeting.  Mr. Peters said this is good solution and is appropriate.  Mr. Schanbacher said this is common sense.  Ms. Thompson said it made sense but asked why it wasn’t done in the past?  Mr. Leon asked for clarification if the 1929 act allows them to vote or only participate in Town Meeting. **********************BOARD ADMINISTRATION************************* Housing short-term work plan: Mr. Hornig shared a power point presentation on the Housing Initiatives Overview from the work plan. The Board provided input on the various housing initiatives discussed and they will decide which initiatives should be brought forward for next year for 2022 Annual Town Meeting. This will be brought forward again on December 1, 2021. No Hate November: Mr. Hornig sent out an email from the Human Rights Committee on their “No Hate November” and shared the email with the Board. The Board discussed if they were interested in participating even though it is a little late. Ms. Hsu from the Human Rights Committee explained they were requesting support and that the Board would read a brief statement, record it, and send it to the Human Rights Committee which will be posted on their website. She said the Board Members could just follow the script provided in the email. Mr. Peters volunteered to read the script and then submit it to the Human Rights rd Committee. On Wednesday November 3 the Board will meet at 6:40 pm. before the meeting. Mr. Creech left the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Minutes for the Meeting of October 27, 2021 Page 5 Staff Updates: LexingtonNext had a successful public event on October 26, 2021 on “Attractive and Vibrant Commercial Areas”. December 7 will be the next public meeting on the draft plan. Board Member Updates: Ms. Thompson went to the meeting last night and said it was very good. Mr. Hornig presented the five zoning articles to the Select Board and got feedback, some of which was surprising. Upcoming Meetings: rd There will be a meeting November 3. Board Members should come 15 minutes earlier thth for the “No Hate November” statement. We will meet on the 8 and possibly the 9 th before Town Meeting. The Board will meet on the 10 for a regular meeting. On th November 17 there may be a meeting before Town Meeting. Adjourn Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of October 27, 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 9:54 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. 440 Bedford Street:  Shadow studies dated October 20, 2021 (3 pages). Other:  Hartwell Innovation park draft Zoning Bylaw dated October 4, 2021 (5 pages).  Planning Board Housing Short-term work plan dated October 21, 2021 (7 pages).  No Hate November e-mail dated October 8, 2021 (1 page). Michael Schanbacher, Clerk of the Planning Board