HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-18-PB-min
Lexington Planning Board
September 18, 2023 Meeting Minutes
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Lexington Planning Board
Monday, September 18, 2023
Select Board Meeting Room
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 022420
And Hybrid Participation via Zoom
The Planning Board members attended the Select Board’s public meeting to participate in the public
hearing on the proposed amendments to the Stormwater Management Regulations, Article VI of Chapter
181 of the Code of Lexington.
Mr. Peters called the meeting of the Planning Board to order at 6:45 pm on a roll call vote (Mr. Peters-
present in-person, Mr. Creech-present in-person, Mr. Hornig – present via zoom, Ms. Thompson – present
via zoom, and associate member Mr. Leon-present in person). Planning Director Ms. McCabe and Town
Engineer Mr. Livsey were also present.
Public Hearing: Review Amendments to the Stormwater Management Regulations, Art. VI of Chapter
181 of the Code of Lexington
Ms. McCabe explained that they were proposed amendments to the Stormwater Management
Regulations after recent zoning amendments from Annual Town Meeting. She explained that the current
Stormwater Regulations only require a full stormwater permit where the drainage report and calculations
are submitted for a permit for projects that 1) disturb more than one acre; 2) proposing a new dwelling
on a vacant lot or involves a teardown; 3) requires a special permit or subdivision approval, or unless a
project is under the Conservation Commission’s jurisdiction. The proposed amendments are to add a
fourth category by requiring the full stormwater report and drainage improvements at “above threshold”
for when a project requires site plan review and disturbs more than 10,000 square feet of land area.
Ms. McCabe explained that stormwater came up during the Planning Board’s updates to their Regulations
and since we are expecting more redevelopment on smaller lots, staff and the Planning Board felt it was
important to require stormwater review and improvements during the Planning Board’s site plan review
approval process. She added the stormwater review would be consolidated into the Planning Board’s site
plan review approval and not require a separate stormwater permit.
Mr. Peters reported that the Planning Board voted 4-1 to support these changes because it is important
to upgrade drainage systems when new development is before the Planning Board.
In response to a question as to why one member of the Planning Board did not support these changes,
Mr. Hornig explained that he felt the lower land disturbance threshold should apply to all projects and
not just projects that require site plan review.
In response to a question on what land disturbance means, Mr. Livsey responded that it’s not necessarily
the lot size but how much of a project is changing the soil and read the definition of land disturbance from
the Stormwater Management Regulations as “any action that causes a change in the position, location, or
arrangement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material.”
Lexington Planning Board
September 18, 2023 Meeting Minutes
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In response to a question about how the Planning Board will be able to review this work, Ms. McCabe
responded that the Planning Board will hire a peer review consultant that can review the material in a
timely manner during the Planning Board’s application process, staff, and the Board member will still
review but will rely on the professional consultant to help with the technical review.
Select Board members expressed support for these changes. Select Board members voted 5-0 to approve
the proposed amendments to the Stormwater Management Regulations and to close the public hearing.
The Planning Board members voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 pm.
Select Board Meeting packet link available in Novus, Select Board will have their own separate meeting
minutes
Exhibits:
Revised Stormwater Management Regulations, Lexington Code, Chapter 181, Article VI, revised through
September 7, 2023
Memorandum from Abby McCabe Planning Director and Planning Board, to Jim Malloy Town Manager,
dated September 12, 2023
Presentation material (5 slides) for September 18, 2023