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Home My WebLink About2021-11-08-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF NOVEMBER 8, 2021 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on November 8, 2021, Virtual Meeting at 6:00 pm Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert Creech, Melanie Thompson. Also present was Amanda Loomis, Planning Director. Charles Hornig, Chair, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 6:02 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 could 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. ***************************TOWN MEETING***************************** 1. Article 12 - Amendment Charles Hornig, Chair, presented the proposed amendment that will be presented to Town Meeting regarding Article 12 by Joseph Pato. Mr. Hornig shared his screen to present the proposed amendment document titled Joseph Pato, at-large, TM member Revised 11/05/21. Mr. Hornig requested comments from the members of the Planning Board. The following comments were provided.  Robert Peters provided his position regarding the fence in the front yard. However, the proposed twelve-foot fence is too much.  Michael Schanbacher agreed with Mr. Peters.  Bob Creech provided an example on Fulton Road. Mr. Creech stated that twelve feet is too much and needed to look further at this for new construction and refer this back to the Planning Board.  Melanie Thompson stated that she disagreed with the proposed twelve-foot fence.  Mr. Hornig provided the position regarding the height of the fence and wall in relation to what the Town wants for a streetscape. Mr. Hornig opened the floor for public comment. No public comment was provided Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 8, 2021 Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting not approve Joseph Pato's amendment to Article 12. 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; Bob Creech – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED 2. Article 13 - Amendments Charles Hornig, Chair, presented the proposed amendment that will be presented to Town Meeting regarding Article 13 by Matt Daggett. Mr. Hornig shared his screen to present the proposed amendment document, titled 20211027_article13_substitute_final. Mr. Hornig requested comments from the members of the Planning Board. The following comments were provided.  Robert Peters requested clarifications as to which of the Planning Board’s proposed changes would not be included in the proposed amendment. Mr. Hornig walked the Planning Board through a comparison of the proposed Planning Board article and the amendment proposed by Mr. Daggett.  Bob Creech stated that he thought the original wording was acceptable and supported Mr. Daggett's amendment.  Melanie Thompson stated that she would support the amendment.  Mr. Hornig stated that the original working served the Town better but would accept Mr. Daggett’s proposal since the DEI component is more critical than simplifying the permitting language. Mr. Hornig opened the floor for public comment. No public comment was provided Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve Matt Daggett's amendment to Article 15. 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; Bob Creech – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED Mr. Hornig asked Richard Canale to speak about his request that Town Meeting refer Article 13 back to the Planning Board for further review. Mr. Canale spoke and stated that he did not intend to refer Article 13 back to the Planning Board but would make other comments at Town Meeting. 3. Article 15 – Amendments Mr. Hornig briefly went through potential amendments Charles Hornig asked if Richard Canale wanted to provide an overview of his proposed amendment to Article 15. Mr. Canale stated that he would not offer the amendment but still intended to ask that Town Meeting vote down Article 15. Mr. Hornig shared the proposed amendments that Bob Creech intended to make at Town Meeting. Mr. Hornig took up the three motions. Minutes for the Meeting of November 8, 2021 Page 3 Mr. Creech provided the rationale behind Motion 3, increasing the required amount of open space from 35 to 45 percent for a total of 60 percent.  Mr. Hornig noted that a local developer had advised him that the 50% requirement in the original proposal would make development infeasible in many cases.  Robert Peters stated that such an increase in open space would make the proposed Article not usable.  Michael Schanbacher agreed with Mr. Peters, and what was initially proposed is usable.  Melanie Thompson agreed with Mr. Peters.  Mr. Hornig stated that, based on the information presented and additional information collected with discussions with local developers, he could not support Motion 3. Mr. Hornig opened the floor for public comment. No comment was received. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting not approve Bob Creech's Motion Number 3 to amend Article 15. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 4-1-0 (roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher –yes; Bob Creech – no; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED Mr. Hornig took up Mr. Creech's Motion 2 and requested a presentation from Mr. Creech. Mr. Creech provided a brief reason for the proposed motion.  Robert Peters stated that the Town has an on-street parking ban and would support the motion.  Michael Schanbacher disagreed with Mr. Peters, and the Town is looking to reduce parking overall and does not think this motion is necessary.  Melanie Thompson stated that she would like to agree with Mr. Creech but doesn't see how this amendment was necessary for the Town.  Charles Hornig stated that he had come around to Motion Number 2 and would consider supporting this amendment. Mr. Hornig opened the floor for public comment. No comment was received. Mr. Hornig questioned each member's position on Motion 2 for Article 15. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve Bob Creech's Motion Number 2 to amend Article 15. 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; Bob Creech – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED Mr. Hornig requested that Mr. Creech provide a brief overview of his proposed Motion 1 for Article 15. Mr. Creech provided a slide presentation explaining the reasoning for Motion 1. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of November 8, 2021 Mr. Hornig stated that, given the limited time before Town Meeting, he did not feel that the Planning Board could not make a good educated decision for Motion 1 tonight and preferred to continue the discussion on Tuesday. Robert Peters stated that having the presentation before making a decision would be helpful. Michael Schanbacher agreed with Mr. Peters and would like to review the presentation. Melanie Thompson agreed with the other members of the Planning Board, and Mr. Creech agreed as well. Adjourn Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of November 8, 2021. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion -0-0 (roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher –yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED Meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm Lex Media recorded the meeting. Michael Schanbacher, Clerk of the Planning Board