HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 11-04-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 1996
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The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order
at 7.40 p.m. by Chairman Canale with members Colman, Davies, Davison, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer,
and Assistant Planner Marino present.
*************** COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES ***************
212. Conservation Commission Land Acquisition: Joyce Miller, Conservation Commission Chairman, and
David Williams, who heads the Commission's Land Acquisition Sub-committee,joined the Planning Board at
7.40 p.m. to discuss the Commission's land acquisition report.
******************************* EXECUTIVE SESSION **********************************
Mr Canale polled the members individually at 7.44 p.m. and the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to go into
Executive Session to consider the exchange, lease or value of real property for which public discussion could
have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town and a person, firm or corporation.
The Board returned to open session at 9.00 p.m.
*************************** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES **************************
213 West Lexington. Discussion of Issues: The Board continued their discussion of West Lexington issues
based on page five of the outline and questionnaire prepared by the staff. Barbara Lucas, Lexington
Transportation Coordinator, took part in this discussion, which centered on the Hartwell Avenue corridor
Observing that improvements on Hartwell Avenue have always been tied to improvements on Bedford Street
in solutions dealing with traffic congestion, the Board considered separating the two with an eye toward
addressing safety issues on Hartwell Avenue. Ms. Lucas reported that based on her conversations with
businesses in relation to starting a transportation management association, businesses are more concerned about
safe access to their establishments than to congestion.
Several members of the Board, Ms. Lucas and Mr Bowyer suggested various approaches to treat Hartwell
Avenue differently These include visually breaking up the long straightaway of Hartwell Avenue, to permit
safer turning movements in and out of properties, and other physical features known as "traffic calming" The
Board also discussed encouraging alternate forms of transportation including shuttle buses, bicycles and
pedestrian ways, along with methods of financing these improvements.
Mr Davies expressed concern that alterations to Hartwell Avenue may reduce its capacity and may cause a
traffic shift that would overburden Wood Street. It is already part of the access pattern to the commercial area
of Hartwell Avenue. It is a narrow, winding residential street that was never intended to carry commercial
traffic.
The Board also discussed the reuse of the former Town dump off Hartwell Avenue. Various scenarios involving
a public/private development on the site were considered. Mr Merrill believes that an aggressive stance re
private development is warranted, perhaps structuring some kind of creative public/private partnership that
might get the Town a new DPW facility, paid for in part by the commercial development and a composting or
recycling operation.
Mr Canale said he would like to know what the fiscal impact would be, and whether, the Town would get
better return from allowing the existing businesses to have more development.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 4, 1996
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************
214 Suggested Amendment to the Zoning By-Law- Mr Williams asked the Planning Board to consider
changing or clarifying Section 11.6.2 , Minimum Yards for Parking Lots; Screening; Driveways, of the Zoning
By-Law He said it currently seems to say that no transition zone is required along the old railroad right of way,
now the John Eddison Bikepath, and he believes the wording should be changed, or clarified, to require a
transition zone. He is concerned about the potential development of the former Exxon site at Woburn Street and
Fletcher Avenue. He said there is still some question about where the edge of the railroad right of way is.
Mr Bowyer commented that another section of the Zoning Bylaw, 10 Landscaping Transition and Screening,
deals with Mr Williams concerns.
************************************** REPORTS ***************************************
Planning Board. Subcommittees
215. HATS: Mr Canale reported that on November 6, the HATS committee will meet to discuss the proposed
scope of work of the four town planning study He believes tie four towns should get legal assistance to
determine what Massport can and cannot do in relation to lane +se and local zoning.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 p.m. ,1 /
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John L. Davies, Clerk
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