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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 16, 2021
Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board
Held on November 16, 2021, Virtual Meeting at 6:00 pm
Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Melanie
Thompson, Bob Creech and Michael Leon, associate member. Also present was Sheila Page,
Assistant Planning Director and Ms. Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Land Use.
Charles Hornig, Chair, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on
Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 6:04 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.
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1. Zoning Articles:
The Board reviewed the Planning Board’s statement regarding the recommendation for Article
17. The members agreed that the statement represented the recommendation.
The Board discussed the reconsideration of Article 15 since the vote was so close to keep their
options open. Mr. Hornig explained the concern about not being able to bring new articles and
this article back to the Annual Town Meeting due to the lack of staffing. The Board discussed the
pros and cons of bringing Article 15 back for reconsideration. Ms. Kowalski explained that it is
not just the staff shortage that is limiting bringing forward zoning initiatives to the Annual Town
Meeting, but it is not good practice to undertake new zoning initiatives during a the
Comprehensive Plan process and it is important to wait until the Comprehensive Plan is finished.
While all did not agree the majority of the Board felt it was important to try to bring this back for
reconsideration for this Town Meeting.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board authorize the Planning Board Chair to review
and restructure Article 15 with the intention of the Board to consider bringing this forward for
reconsideration to this Town Meeting. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The
Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 4-1-0 (roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie
Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher –yes; Bob Creech – no; Charles Hornig – yes).
MOTION PASSED
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 16, 2021
The Board will meet again tomorrow evening to review the revised proposal and then vote on
whether the Planning Board will vote to bring this forward for reconsideration to this Town
Meeting.
Tomorrow the Board will also be hearing from the chairs of the Comprehensive Plan and Mr.
Hornig requested the Board Members review the documents on the Novus agenda before the
discussion tomorrow evening.
Adjourn
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of November 16, 2021.
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;
Bob Creech – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm
Lex Media recorded the meeting.
Michael Schanbacher, Clerk of the Planning Board