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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MAY 4, 2022
Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board
Held on May 4, 2022, Hybrid Meeting at 7:00 pm
Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher (remote),
Clerk; Melanie Thompson; Robert Creech, and Michael Leon, Associate member. Also present
were Abby McCabe, Planning Director and Lori Kaufman, Department Assistant.
Charles Hornig, Chair, called to order this meeting of the Lexington Planning Board on
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 7:05 PM in the Select Board Meeting Room in the Town
Office Building. This meeting may be broadcast live on LexMedia and may be recorded
for future on-demand viewing.
The Board Members and staff present in the room introduced themselves.
Mr. Schanbacher, participating via Zoom, indicated that he could hear and be heard.
It was further noted that written materials for this meeting are available on the Town's
NovusAGENDA dashboard.
********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINSITRATION*************************
9 Old Smith Farm Road – Request for Minor Modification of 2000 Special Permit
with Site Plan Review:
Mr. Jose Condori, applicant presented his request for a modification to the 2000 special
permit.
Board comments and questions:
Mr. Creech asked for clarification if the applicant gave any thought about how to
insulate the extension to be energy efficient.
Mr. Peters asked Ms. McCabe for clarification on if there would be enough GFA
left over to allow other units to do an expansion in the future to guarantee equity
for other residents in the development.
Ms. Thompson had no questions.
Mr. Leon had no questions.
Mr. Schanbacher had no questions.
Mr. Hornig had no questions.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board determine that the applicant’s request for a
modification to the 2000 special permit with site plan review for 9 Old Smith Road is a minor
modification. Bob Creech seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the
motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Bob Creech – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes;
Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED.
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of May 4, 2022
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board approve the applicant’s request for a minor
modification to the 2000 special permit with site plan review for 9 Old Smith Road based on
the presentation tonight and that the Planning Director draft a decision, subject to approval by
the Chair, based on the presentation tonight. Bob Creech seconded the motion. The Planning
Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Bob Creech – yes; Robert Peters – yes;
Michael Schanbacher – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION
PASSED.
************************WORK PLAN FOR 2022***************************
Planning Board Work Plan for May 2022 through April 2023:
Ms. McCabe presented the proposed Planning Board work plan for May 2022 through
April 2023 which included the five items listed below.
Comprehensive Plan
Regulations for Open Space Residential Developments
Action Plan to meet the MBTA community housing requirement through Multi-
Family Residential Zoning Bylaw and Zoning Map changes
Transportation Management Overlay Districts
Mr. Hornig said the Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) ad hoc committee
met this morning and were looking to bring forward a zoning change the Planning Board
will have to react to for the fall or spring Town Meeting.
Board Member Comments and Questions:
Mr. Schanbacher said this was fine and had nothing to add.
Mr. Creech asked for clarification on a revision to the Hartwell Avenue Zoning
regulations from last year regarding the 50 foot frontage and the 20,000 square
foot lot size maybe being too small. Maybe we can discuss at the next meeting.
Mr. Peters said the Ms. Kowalski circulated a memo regarding that issue and we
should refer to that memo regarding that issue.
Review the proposed work plan to complete Comprehensive Plan Update:
Mr. Hornig asked the Board if the draft work plan for Planning Board Comprehensive
Plan looks good and is an achievable goal over the course of the summer.
Ms. Thompson said going through three goals at each meeting is a lot and maybe
this could be stretched out a bit.
Mr. Hornig asked if we should have longer meetings or more meetings.
Mr. Peters said to have more frequent meetings rather than longer meetings and
will try to see how it goes.
Mr. Creech asked for clarification on what are we doing with this at the meetings?
Ms. McCabe presented an explanation of what was proposed to get done for the
Comprehensive Plan during the meetings.
Minutes for the Meeting of May 4, 2022 Page 3
Mr. Leon asked for clarification on dates for when the revisions would be ready
for prime time. He stated that it is a living document and is really for guidance
and could be modified as we go along.
Mr. Hornig asked the Board Members to send their availability for additional
dates for Wednesday evenings over the summer to staff.
Ms. Thompson asked for clarification on if these will be Zoom or in-person
meetings.
Mr. Herbert, co-chair of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), said the
CPAC will be invited to the Planning Board meetings to discuss the Comprehensive Plan.
Multi-Family Housing requirements for MBTA Communities - DHCD Action Plan
for Interim Compliance:
Ms. McCabe explained that staff will do some research and prepare the first draft of an
MBTA Community Housing action plan for the Board’s review and approval in the late
summer or early fall. Mr. Leon said that there will be an inclusionary housing
requirement that will need to be addressed and we may need some consulting assistance.
He wanted to know if we would need a feasibility study to prepare for this to get the right
numbers and locations. Mr. Creech asked if staff agreed that we would need a
consultant’s help.
Develop Regulations for Open Space Residential Developments (OSRD):
Mr. Hornig said the OSRD regulations will come sometime in July.
Mr. Peters said the residents want the regulations on OSRD done first and they should be
driven to a conclusion.
Transportation Management Overlay Districts:
The update is expected in fall.
**********************BOARD ADMINISTRATION*************************
Board Member Reorganization – Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk and other
appointments and liaisons:
Board members indicated their interest in and preferences for officers for the coming year.
Mr. Hornig nominated Robert Peters as Chair of the Planning Board. Michael Schanbacher
seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (roll call:
Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Peters –
yes; Robert Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED
Mr. Creech shared his proposed work process chart with the Board and staff to develop new
zoning.
Charles Hornig nominated Michael Schanbacher as Vice Chair of the Planning Board.
Melanie Thompson 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; and Robert Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of May 4, 2022
Robert Creech nominated Melanie Thompson as Clerk of the Planning Board. Charles
Hornig 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; and Robert Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED
Mr. Peters took over chairing the meeting.
Board Liaison Assignments:
The proposed new liaisons and voting members for the following committees are listed
below.
Housing Partnership Board – Mr. Peters resigned from his term ending September 2024.
The Board recommended that the Select Board appoint Mr. Hornig to fill the remainder
of the term.
Hanscom Area Town Committee – The Board appointed Mr. Hornig as a voting member.
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) – Mr. Hornig resigned from his term ending
June 2023. The Board appointed Mr. Creech to fill the remainder of the term.
Lexington Center Committee – Mr. Hornig was appointed as the new liaison.
Greenways Corridor Committee – Mr. Hornig was appointed as the new liaison
The rest of the committee liaisons and voting members will remain the same.
Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board approve the liaison and representatives list for
Committees and Boards as discussed. Bob Creech 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; and Robert Creech – yes). MOTION
PASSED
Board Member Updates:
Mr. Creech gave an update on a MAGIC Meeting he attended which discussed clean
energy, the Stow planning process for Stow Acres Golf Course, and the Nashoba
Regional Greenway Committee.
Mr. Hornig said the SPRD committee met this morning. They are looking to bring
something forward to either this fall or spring Town Meeting and plan to do outreach.
Mr. Peters said the Vision for Lexington Committee has completed the survey. The response rate
was 10% of the Town. The committee will do a presentation in late September or early October
for the three elected boards. Ms. McCabe said they were looking at Monday, October 17 for a
meeting date for the Planning Board, Select Board and School Committee. Board Members
should let staff know if they are available that day.
Upcoming Meetings:
The next meeting is May 18, at 6:00 p.m.
Review of meeting Minutes for April 6, 11 and 13, 2022:
Mr. Hornig suggested minor changes to the draft minutes.
Minutes for the Meeting of May 4, 2022 Page 5
Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board approve the minutes of April 6, 11, and 13,
2022, as amended. Melanie Thompson seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in
favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Bob Creech – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Michael
Schanbacher – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED.
Adjourn
Bob Creech moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of May 4, 2022. Melanie
Thompson seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll
call: Bob Creech – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Melanie Thompson –
yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED
Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on the Planning Board website in Planning
Board packets.
9 Old Smith Farm Road:
Applicant’s cover letter dated April 18, 2022 (1 page).
Application dated April 18, 2022 (5 pages).
Existing and proposed floor plan dated March 2022 (7 pages).
Original decision dated September 21, 2000 (22 pages).
Staff memo dated April 26, 2022 (3 pages).
Planning Board Reorganization:
Planning Board Committee Representatives and Liaisons List dated October 21,
2021 (1 page).
Work Plan for 2022:
Proposed Planning Board Work Plan dated April 26, 2022 (1 page).
Develop Regulations for Open Space Residential Development (OSRD):
Approved Article 35OSRD draft report dated March 21, 2022 (5 pages).
Comprehensive Plan:
Staff memo to Planning Board dated April 27, 2022 (2 pages).
Draft Comprehensive Plan Work Plan (3 pages).
MBTA Communities Multi-Family DHCD action Plan for interim compliance:
Draft Action Plan dated April 27, 2022 (4 pages).
MBTA March 9, 2022 presentation from the Select Board Meeting (19 pages).
Cover memo dated April 27, 2022 (1 page).
Melanie Thompson, Clerk of the Planning Board