HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-09 Joint SB and PB-min
Joint Meeting
Select Board and Planning Board
March 9, 2022
A remote participation Joint meeting of the Lexington Select Board and the Planning Board was called to
order at 8:54 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 via Zoom remote meeting services.
Present for the Select Board: Ms. Hai, Chair; Mr. Lucente; Vice Chair, Mr. Pato, Mr. Sandeen, and Ms.
Barry were present, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms.
Katzenback, Executive Clerk.
Present for the Planning Board: Charles Hornig, Chair, Robert Peters, Vice Chair, Michael Shanbacher,
Melanie Thompson, Michael Leon, Robert Creech, and Sheila Page, Acting Planning Director, and
Carolyn Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development Carolyn Kowalski.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Required Select Board Briefing on Draft Multi-Family Zoning for MBTA Communities
Charles Hornig, Chair of the Planning Board, called the Planning Board to order at 8:54 p.m. Joining him
were Board members Robert Peters, Michael Shanbacher, Melanie Thompson, Michael Leon, Robert
Creech, and Acting Planning Director Sheila Page, and Assistant Town Manager for Development
Carolyn Kowalski.
Ms. Hai explained that the State requires that the Planning Board update the Select Board on the MBTA
Communities draft guidelines.
Ms. Kowalski explained that, as of January 2021, changes were made to MGL 40A, including a new
section 3A that requires communities with MBTA service to allow multi-family housing as a right.
Lexington is considered an MBTA bus-service community. A comment period on the draft guidelines
closes on March 31, 2022. The multi-family area needs to be 50 acres minimum, with at least 25
contiguous acres. The unit capacity calculated for Lexington would thus be 2,462 units, and the minimum
gross density must be 15 units per acre. At 15 units/acre, Lexington would need 165 acres, or
approximately 1% of the Town. This area cannot be age-restricted and must be suitable for families with
children. By December 2023, the Town will need to submit a proposed action plan. Within 90 days of
adopting the necessary zoning, the Town would submit an application for compliance. There is no way to
opt-out of these guidelines. The zoning changes needs to prescribe allowing multi-family housing.
2. Review Draft Comments for MBTA Communities Housing Draft Guidelines
The Planning Board is requesting that the Select Board co-sign the response letter from the Town. The
Select Board agreed to review this item in preparation to discuss it further at its March 21, 2022, meeting.
DOCUMENTS: Presentation - MBTA Multi-Family Zoning Briefing, MBTA Communities Engagement
Sessions - C. Kluchman, DHCD Presentation to League of Women Voters First Friday Forum, DRAFT
Joint Planning Board/Select Board Letter with Comments to Executive Office of Housing & Economic
Development
ADOURN
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Joint meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
A true record; Attest:
Kristan Patenaude
Recording Secretary