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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 03-02-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 2, 1998 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15,Town Office Building,was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Vice Chairman Davies,with members Canale,Colman,Planning Director Bowyer,and Assistant Planner Marino present.Mr.Merrill and Mr.Galaitsis were absent. *************************ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING ************************** 54. Zoning Amendments: Mr Bowyer informed the Board that their articles for Town Meeting will be coming up as early as the second session.He outlined the work that needs to be done to prepare for their presentations and reports to Town Meeting. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 55 31 Allen Street. Tulin and Bryan.anneal of a decision of the Building Commissioner Mr. Bowyer reported that two abutters have filed an appeal of the decision of the Building Commissioner to issue building permits for two wireless communications antennas at 31 Allen Street. The Tulins and the Bryans are aware that the Planning Board is preparing an antenna siting by-law and would like the Board to make a recommendation to the Board _ of Appeals on the matter.Mr. Bowyer explained the powers of the Board of Appeals in handling an appeal from an administrative decision. The Board asked when the permits were issued and how high the towers are.Mr. Canale believes they were issued in error.The Board discussed what enforcement action needs to be taken. Mr Colman asked Ms.Bryan and Ms. Tulin to forward more material on the matter to the Planning Board. *************************ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING ************************** Amendments tto the Zoning By-Law 56. Article 32. Wireless Communications Antennas: Mr. Canale reported that he attended a meeting of the Selectmen's Cable Television and Telecommunications Advisory Committee meeting and got some ideas from them on communications antennas.He also talked with the Chairman of the Board of Appeals,John McWeeney who said that the Board of Appeals is willing to be the Special Permit Granting Authority for antennas.They also discussed who would write regulations the Board of Appeals would use in granting special permits. He also talked with a representative of the Nextel Corporation about a letter from Nextel that included some recommendations.Mr. Canale told him that the Planning Board wants input from service providers and carriers as well as citizens and that some of Nextel's ideas have already been incorporated into the proposed new by-law regulating the siting of antennas.He urged the Nextel representative to come to the public hearing for the proposed amendment on March 9 57 Articles 34-41 The Board reviewed and edited the most recent drafts of the motions and reports on Article 34, Conversion of One-Family Dwellings,Article 35,Technical Corrections,Article 37,Maximum-Minimum Parking,Article 40,Outdoor Lighting and Article 41,Parking Requirements, Secondary Schools. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 58. 160/170 Wood Street. Old Smith Farm Cluster Subdivision.James Gaklis: Mr Davies reported on a meeting he and Mr Colman held with the developer of the proposed Old Smith Farm cluster subdivision off Wood Street. The topic of the meeting was the required public benefit that is part of the cluster regulations.The two Planning Board members suggested possible benefits, including affordable housing and a conservation area for the hilltop(including funds for a maintenance endowment).The applicant was urged to talk with the neighbors to learn if there is something in the area they would like to have addressed.Mr Davies said they 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 2, 1998 basically clarified what the ingredients of an acceptable offer might be.Now it is up to the developer to make an offer. Mr Davies said that he and Mr. Colman invited a letter of proposal that addresses the public benefit issue only, apart from any sketch plan.He believes that the Board should address their next offer seriously and expeditiously because there is a danger that the applicant will next file a conventional subdivision plan,which he can do by right. Mr. Bowyer noted that more systematic thinking ought to be done about how to include affordable housing and other housing alternatives to single-family dwellings in this and other cluster subdivisions.Mr.Davies pointed out that one of the points they discussed with Mr. Gaklis is the inconsistency between the definition of affordable housing and of"reasonably priced"housing.He said that the Board should clarify those terms. At 10:26 p.m., on the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Colman,the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting. / 6171/#"4— Steven 71.At— Steven L. Colman,Clerk L