HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 01-20-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 1998
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-3,Town Office Building,was called to order at
7.42 p.m.by Chairman Canale with members Davies, Galaitsis,Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and
Assistant Planner Marino present.Mr. Colman was absent.
************************* ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING *************************
14 Article C. Conversion of One-Family Houses: The board reviewed a draft amendment to Section 5.3 of the
Zoning By-Law,Conversion of One-Family Dwellings, dated January 16, 1998. This amendment would impose
limits on the size of an addition in relation to the size of the structure.Mr Bowyer explained that Part B results
from the Board of Appeals suggestion for a revision of Section 5.3 a number of years ago.After some
discussion,on the motion of Mr.Merrill, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously,4-0,to
approve the January 16 draft with the addition of subparagraph 5.3.4,Expansion of Pre-Existing,
Nonconforming Two-Family Dwelling.
******************************* EXECUTIVE SESSION ***********************************
Mr.Canale polled the members at 8:19 p.m. and the Board voted unanimously to join the Conservation
Commission in their Executive Session in Room G-15,Town Office Building,to consider the exchange, lease,
or value of real property,public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position
of the Town and a person, firm or corporation.
At 8:44 p.m.,the Board reconvened in Room G-3.
************************* ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING *************************
15 Article A. Wireless Communication Antennas: Mr. Bowyer reported on a State Department of
Telecommunications and Energy ruling on Nextel Communications which has implications for local zoning in
connection with the installation of wireless communication antennas.The communications companies will now
be considered to be public utilities.
He also explained some points made by Town Counsel Norman Cohen on legal issues surrounding antenna
siting. Mr Cohen thought the issue is far from settled: 1)the parties to that ruling are likely to appeal to the
Courts,2)the ruling changes the procedure for appeal—to a State administrative board—and does not grant an
exemption from local zoning regulations,3)the State DTE has given out messages that it does not want to be
reviewing every application submitted to every town but sees its role as an appeal body against excessively
restrictive local regulations, and 4)there is already some activity in the Legislature aimed at amending Section
3 of Chapter 40A to overturn the recent ruling.Mr. Cohen believes that the Board should continue preparing its
zoning amendment despite potential changes in State regulations governing antennas.
The Board continued its discussion and preparation of Article A. Its general objectives will be: to keep towers,
particularly freestanding towers to a minimum;to favor co-location of antennas;to emphasize locations that are
concealed or camouflaged;to provide coverage throughout the town;to not allow antennas in one- or two-
family houses; and that only antennas that are concealed would be permitted by right.
16. Article I, Outdoor Lighting: The Board continued its discussion of its outdoor lighting zoning amendment
working from a second draft dated January 16, 1998.Mr. Davies asked the staff to order a publication from the
Chittenden County,Vermont Regional Planning Commission entitled Outdoor Lighting Manual for Vermont
Municipalities.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of January 20, 1998
17 Article D. Technical Corrections: Mr Bowyer distributed a document dated January 14 of Part B—all ___
the other potential technical corrections that do not deal with the definitions of floor area. The staff had
assembled in one place all the possible technical changes to the Zoning By-Law that have been noted by the
staff,members of the Board,the Building Commissioner and Zoning Enforcement Officer in recent years.
They are now in one computer file so the Board can study them and decide which ones to go forward with.
18. Article E.Nonconforming Parking: Mr.Bowyer reported that he met with the Lexington Center
Committee to explain to them Article E,Nonconforming Parking and Article J,Zoning Map Change,Clarke-
Muzzey Block and Meriam Street parking Lot. The group expressed qualified support for the Article E, but not
for Article J
The Board set February 9 and 23 as the dates for the public hearings on the proposed zoning amendments.
Mr Davies recommended that Stacy Bridge-Denzak be the Board's liaison tole Design Advisory Committee
when she is elected to the Planning Board in March. She is currently on the DiAc.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. �� r
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d John L. Davies,Clerk