HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-10-PB-min
Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board
Held on Monday, April 10, 2023
Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Mass Ave. Lexington
Meeting at 6:30 pm
Planning Board members present: Robert Peters, Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Vice-Chair; Melanie
Thompson, Clerk; Robert Creech, Charles Hornig, and Associate Member Michael Leon.
Also present was Abby McCabe, Planning Director.
Robert Peters, Chair of the Planning Board, called to order the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board
on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 6:30 pm.
Chair Peters informed everyone that there is one agenda item this evening which is a final Planning Board
recommendation on the two floor amendments submitted on Annual Town Meeting warrant article 33.
Mr. Peters reminded everyone that the Board discussed the amendments last week but waited to take an
official opinion until the article sponsor, the Special Permit Residential Development Amendment Ad Hoc
(SPRD) Committee could meet.
Mr. Hornig, also a member of the SPRD Committee, reported that the Committee met last week and
opposed both amendments. Mr. Hornig explained that payments-in-lieu were an important element to
help achieve inclusionary housing goals because, for smaller projects with fewer than six dwellings, it was
decided that it is not financially feasible for an inclusionary dwelling to be required and thus this
requirement at least provides something from an applicant to the town’s affordable housing trust.
A couple of board members were generally supportive of the idea of the special permit approach rather
than the proposed site plan review.
On a motion made by Mr. Schanbacher, seconded by Ms. Thompson, the Board voted 5-0 to recommend
Town Meeting reject the Arens floor amendment to article 33.
On a motion made by Mr. Schanbacher, seconded by Ms. Thompson, the Board voted 4 -1 (Mr. Creech
voting against) to recommend Town Meeting reject the Jensen floor amendment to article 33.
On a motion made by Mr. Schanbacher, seconded by Ms. Thompson, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn at
6:45 pm.
List of Exhibits: Available on the Town Meeting webpage: https://lexingtonma.gov/1557/2023-Annual-
Town-Meeting
• Arens Amendment to Article 33
• Jensen/McBride Amendment to Article 33