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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-23-SPRD-min RECEIVED zz 25 Mar, :44 a Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Ad-hoc TOWN CLERK Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2022 LEXINGTON MA Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Ad-hoc Committee Members present for the Public Meeting:Jill Hai, Chair; Scott Cooper,Joyce Murphy, Charles Hornig, Richard Perry, Heather Hartshom, Wendy Manz. Lexington Staff present for the Public Meeting: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Kiruthika Ramakrishnan, Administrative Assistant. Other Attendees: David Trietsch. Ms. Hai conducted a roll call to ensure all the members of the SPRD ad-hoc committee and members of staff present could hear and be heard. Ms. Hai, chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 8:04 am. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia for future on-demand viewing. 1. Approval of SPRD Meeting Minutes of 02.09.2022 The SPRD committee reviewed the draft minutes of meetings held on 02.09.2022. Ms. Hai moved that the SPRD committee vote to approve the minutes of 02.09.2022,as presented. Mr. Perry seconded the motion.The SPRD committee voted in favor of the motion 07-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Update from meeting with Town Counsel Based on the discussion Ms. Hai, Ms. Kowalski and Mr.Trietsch had with the Town Counsel, Ms. Hai stressed the importance of balancing the clarity and technicality of the language of the bylaw and the need for the committee to continue to refine the open questions and related topics. Ms. Hai said that the next step would be to get the feedback from the community and then approach the Town Counsel for drafting the bylaw. Mr.Trietsch wanted to give a clear, intentional message to the developers about the bylaw. There was general agreement by the committee. 3. Confirmation of decisions from 2/9 meeting Ms. Hai wanted the committee's confirmation on decisions based on the questions that were discussed at the last meeting. Questions: 1. To have no minimum size restrictions other than those specified by the health and the building codes 2. To keep the existing gross floor area standard and not create a new 'living Area' standard 3. The creation of an increased number of units than that could be permitted under a conventional sub-division. Providing additional allowances for creation of additional below market rate units that are beyond the minimum requirement. 4. The square footage of the preserved historical structures being exempt for purposes of calculating the total allowable GFA. 5. Not make changes to setback or other dimensional requirements in the conventional developments. Ms. Hai moved that the SPRD Committee vote on the above questions that were discussed in the SPRD meeting held on 02.09.2022,for the purposes of the by law.The motion was seconded by Mr. Perry.The SPRD Committee voted in favor of the motion 7-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. Discussion of open questions and options Ms. Hai shared a document showing the remaining issues that were to be discussed and resolved and asked if, the committee wanted to incorporate design guidelines and/or a pattern book of styles. Ms. Hai said that based on the discussion during the last meeting, the committee was not in favor of having it included in the zoning bylaw and wanted to ask the committee if they wanted it as an ancillary document or regulation. Mr.Trietsch said that since the goal is to expand the housing supply, it would be useful for the developers to have some clarity and a guidebook can be updated when needed. Mr. Cooper agreed with Mr.Trietsch and added no standards should be imposed. Mr. Perry shared an image of a book titled 'Building With Nantucket In Mind ',which he has used for more than two decades and has helped him with many developments and said that coming up with a similar book would be very helpful to builders. Mr. Hornig said that he does not think there is any value in a pattern book of styles as he thinks that builders and developers know what is acceptable and if published, it should be made clear that it is only for advisory purposes. Ms. Manz agreed with Mr. Hornig.The committee agreed that the pattern book would be an ancillary document providing guidelines that are not mandatory and would be regularly updated. Ms. Hai then asked the committee whether the bylaw should have a maximum average size or individual unit maximums. Ms. Murphy said that the bylaw might lead to a void between 3000- 5000 square feet houses and did not want to close off creation of the mid-sized houses. Ms. Hartshom wanted to encourage smaller houses. Mr. Hornig wanted to limit the average rather than the maximum, since he feels flexibility is important. Mr. Cooper favored a maximum as well as an average size. Ms. Kowalski reminded the committee that Lexington is low on smaller units. Ms. Manz wanted coherent neighborhoods and wanted to come up with a limit on the maximum average size of units. Ms. Hai summarized that the committee does not want to stifle creativity but also does not want to allow the creation of a path that will lead to the increase in the size of units and said Mr. Cooper's idea of average size of units was good. Ms. Hai asked the committee how they wanted to arrive at the calculation of GFA and the difference between GFA and true livable space. Ms. Hai shared a marketing brochure and the application to the building department of 22 Jefferson Drive. Mr. Hornig showed the contrast in the way the GFA was calculated in both the documents. Discussion ensued. 5. Review and discuss report to Town Meeting Ms. Manz's outline report to Annual Town Meeting was shared. Ms. Manz wanted the portion of the report listing the Existing Residential Zoning and the Process of Review and Approval of Residential Developments in Lexington, to be reviewed, either by another committee member or a Planning Board member. Ms. Manz said she is working on the Parameters of Changes related to Lexington's Goals. 6. Miscellaneous In order to calculate the square footage, Ms. Murphy wanted to use the formula on the current Balanced Housing Development, and make adjustment to the formula as needed. Mr. Horning said the formula was based on a median and it has to be based on an average in order to produce the desired results and the formula could be adapted if a maximum cap is not required. Ms. Hai reminded the committee that it is important for the committee to come up with something that is viable. Mr. Hornig mentioned the development in Lily Pond Lane and explained how the limitations imposed by the Balanced Housing Development, led to the present development, which was beneficial neither to the builder nor to the community. Adjourn Ms. Hai moved that the SPRD committee adjourn the meeting of February 23,2022. Mr. Perry seconded the motion.The SPRD Committee voted in favor of the motion 7-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 am.