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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-10-SPRD-min IRECEIVED zz 25 Mar, :45 a Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Ad-hoc Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2022 TOWN LE RK LEXINGTON 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: Barbara Katzenberg and Tom Shiple,from Citizen Cluster Housing Working Group 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 8:03 am. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia for future on-demand viewing. 1. Update from Charles Hornig on behalf of Planning Board re OSRD article for Annual Town Meeting Mr. Hornig said that the Planning Board has closed the public hearing after getting a lot of feedback from the public and all the changes suggested by the Cluster Housing Study Group have been incorporated. A suggestion from Mr. Daggett at a public hearing,to increase the minimum track size, and also the changes suggested by the Historical Commission that clarify how the incentives for historic buildings will work in practice, were accepted. Mr. Hornig said that they are considering some changes regarding inclusionary provisions, and also a long list of suggestions by Mr. Daggett. It was decided by the committee to hold on the voting on the OSRD till the final version was available. 2. Discussion of Citizen Cluster Housing Working Group Evaluations Ms. Katzenberg and Mr. Shiple from the Citizen Cluster Working Group joined the discussion. Mr. Cooper and Ms. Hai asked them for any insights or alternative suggestions regarding GFA definition. Mr. Shiple said they took the definition from the zoning bylaw and used 80%of GFA as livable area, as a rule of thumb. Mr. Cooper stated that there is a recommended maximum size in addition to an average size of units and it was helpful to have both. Mr. Shiple said that the updated evaluations are posted on their website lexclusterhousing.org. 3. Discussion of Report to Annual Town Meeting Ms. Hai asked the committee's opinion with the proposal to present a report to Annual Town Meeting, which will be an executive summary of the current status and the goals of the committee and, to present a comprehensive report to fall town meeting. Ms. Hai shared the outline of Interim Report of the SPRD committee, prepared by Ms. Manz. Ms. Hai said that the committee has to figure out the areas that needs to be elaborated and explain the area of focus and the desired changes that are to be made and the challenges that are faced in bringing about the changes. Mr. Cooper said that committee has arrived at some important decisions like providing two alternatives and streamlining the process for developers and setting the guidelines for inclusionary housing and felt that these achievements should be included in the report. Mr.Cooper asked Mr. Hornig the distinction between Major site plan review and site plan review and whether the committee needs to focus on the distinction when arriving at recommendations for the report. Mr. Horning said that the distinction is the amount of site coverage and the GFA involved. 4. Further discussion of Open Issues/Questions Ms. Hai shared a document listing the questions before the SPRD committee and asked the committee if the bylaw should have a maximum average size or an individual unit maximum. Ms. Manz wanted an example for clarification. Mr. Horning said that maximum average size gives some flexibility of unit size and encourages a mix of unit sizes. Ms. Hai said she did some research on the Town of Wellesley website and found a design guideline/pattern book of styles, which had a lot of focus on neighborhood character, and agreed with Ms. Kowalski and Mr. Hornig's caution about it becoming outdated in the absence of periodic reviews. Ms. Hai asked the committee for their opinion in creating a design guideline/pattern book of styles. Mr. Cooper said if it is by-right, a plan cannot be denied based on architectural design, but we can have suggestions based on past experiences; and in Lexington it has to be flexible and renewed periodically. Ms. Manz said she preferred a coherent and harmonious neighborhood. Ms. Murphy said it is important to be respectful of existing neighborhoods. Ms. Kowalski said that the design guidelines need not be prescriptive and can be supported by illustrations that the local community has always found to be pleasing. Ms. Hai asked the committee if it would like to include consideration of guidelines, that would be accompanying the bylaw,with a definite review period, and would lead to coherent and harmonious neighborhoods and, provide graphic examples.The question was tabled for discussion. The Committee also discussed whether a minimum number of units is required. Discussion ensued. Ms. Hai posed the next question to the committee as to affordability and inclusion,with the focus being on the number of units and the level of affordability. Ms. Kowalski encouraged the committee to become familiar with the current income limits and subsidized housing inventory, just to get a better idea of who the committee is trying to house. Ms. Murphy said that a balance is required between work force housing and subsidized housing. Mr. Cooper wanted to give preference to the workforce in buying below market units and was wondering if it could be prioritized for town employees. Mr. Perry wanted it to be quantified so that developers and builders can have more clarity. Discussion ensued. Adjourn Ms. Manz moved that the SPRD committee adjourn the meeting of March 10,2022. Mr. Perry seconded the motion.The SPRD Committee voted in favor of the motion 6-0-0 Roll Call Vote: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 am.