HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-14-COD-minCommission on Disability
February 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Janet Perry, John Rossi, Francine
Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark
Sandeen, Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Bonnie Teitleman, Council on Aging
Guests: Charles Hornig and Joyce Murphy from the Special Permit Residential Development
Zoning Bylaw Amendment Ad Hoc Committee (SPRD)
Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open
Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 and subsequent Orders
imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one p lace, this meeting
of the Lexington Commission on Disability will be conducted via remote participation to the
greatest extent possible.
On July 16, 2022, Governor Baker signed into Law an Act Relative to Extending Certain State of
Emergency Accommodations, which, among other things, extends the expiration of the
provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2023. Specifically, this extension
allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public
body physically present at a meeting location, and to provide "adequate, alternative" access to
remote meetings. The Act does not make any new changes to the Open Meeting Law other
than extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meeti ngs.
Minutes
The minutes for November 2022, December 2022 and January 2023 were unanimously
approved.
Presentation by Charlie Hornig and Joyce Murphy from the Special Permit Residential
Development Zoning Bylaw Amendment Ad Hoc Committee (SPRD)
The purpose of this bylaw (Article 33) is to increase diverse models of housing to meet different
needs of residents. The permit addresses detached, attached and multifamily development.
There are two types: site sensitive developments, which preserve something on the site (like
wetlands) and limit the number of dwellings but not the number of dwelling units; compact
neighborhood developments where there is no limit on the number of dwelling units but there
is a limit on the size of the units. Both types require inclusionary (subsidized) units. Two thirds
of dwelling units need to be affordable low-income (calculated at being at or below 80% of the
median local income. The AAB regulations have not been updated for years. Smaller units and
stacked units might be more accessible. The zoning used to be only for townhouses. The village
overlay districts would be good places for multifamily housing.
Farmers’ Market Accessibility Concerns
Victoria met with Lesley Wilcott-Henry (Board President), Melissa Battite, and Dave
Pinsonneault at the site on Worthen Road where several complaints have been noted due to
accessibility issues. There were slope concerns and parking concerns. DPW will measure the
slope and alternative parking places will be discussed and a new plan will be brought to the
next Commission meeting for approval.
Collaborative Reform Update
The group is looking at information from other towns and possible grants to have a social
worker assigned to the police department in a co-response model.
Update from Jim Kelly
• There is a building at 7 Hartwell Ave that may need a variance.
• The issue at Hastings needs more attention and re-evaluation.
Bus Stop Discussion
Pam Lyons said that the bus stop issues at Conte’s could be resolved by one of two options: to
keep the bus stop at Conte’s but remove the tree; to move the bus stop back to where it was.
The Commission will vote on those options next month.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley