HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 08-17-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 1998
fChairman Merrill called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board,held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building,to order at 7:35 p.m.Members Bridge-Denzak, Colman,Davies, Galaitsis,Planning Director
Bowyer,and Assistant Planner Marino were present.
************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS **************************
157 Guidelines for Cluster Development.Public Benefits.Draft of Revision of the Guidelines: The Board
discussed,at length,a draft of proposed revisions to the Guidelines for Cluster Development, dated August 14,
1998.It agreed to review the Guidelines further at a future meeting.Mr.Merrill suggested some illustrations be
added to improve readability
*************************** REGIONAL,INTERTOWN ISSUES **************************
158. Met State Hospital Land Reuse: The Board reviewed their answers to a questionnaire developed by Mr.
Bowyer,that allowed members to express their preferences,using a scoring method,for what kind of
development should take place at the Met State hospital site. The questionnaire is the predecessor to a version
that would be included in the Request for Proposal package.
****************** COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING,POLICY MAKING *********************
159 Land Use Element.Build-out Analysis: Mr Bowyer explained what the"build-out analysis" is,what its
strengths and weaknesses are and how it fits into other planning activities.The term"build out analysis"is a short
reference.It is a land use analysis that identifies parcels susceptible to development,using statistical data,site factors,etc.
Mr. Marino presented some tables and a highlighted map that shows parcels in the West Lexington area.
The Board agreed that there remains enough private land susceptible to development for their cluster policy to
make a positive difference in the appearance and impact of future subdivisions. It also expressed its support for
the Town's acquisition of a Geographic Information System(GIS)system.
The amount of commercial development"build out" potential can be misunderstood from the early data in the
tables. Floor Area Ratio is not the only limit on development in the Zoning By-Law Traffic intersection
capacity tests and the ability to provide additional parking on a site with wetlands are also factors affecting
development.
********************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE ********************
160. Planning Board Work Program for the Coming Year The Board reviewed the results of a questionnaire
on Board priorities, composed by Mr Bowyer, indicating projects and programs the Board would like to
undertake in the coming year. Mr. Colman suggested defining some overarching goals, (e.g., quality of life)
which can be used to define needed work. He also suggested creating a marketing document, explaining
Planning Board functions,projects, and the like.
In the interest of using their time more efficiently, on the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded by Mr Davies, the
Board voted unanimously to reduce the minutes of their meetings to a summary of votes, a record of attendees,
and brief narratives on major issues, and to archive the audio tapes. Among other methods of using time more
efficiently, the Board also agreed that it supports the idea of asking developers and others to make
appointments with the staff,rather than just dropping in.
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2 Minutes for the Meeting of August 17, 1998
The Board reviewed the list of priorities dated June 9, 1998 prepared by Mr. Bowyer. It agreed to add
investigation of a Geographic Information System to the list under Category C—Projects to be Undertaken with r--.
Other Boards and Departments and two additional projects — a Tree Protection Bylaw and Additional
Requirements for Underground Utilities —under Category B —Projects to be Undertaken in Later Years (after
=the=1999 Town Vleeting). On—the=motion—of—Mr Davies, seconded=by=Mr—Galaitsis the—Baard-voted---1 —
unanimously to adopt the list of priorities, as amended, as a flexible,non-Town Meeting list of projects.
Mr Bowyer was asked to provide the Board with a copy of the Department's "running file" of potential zoning
amendments that it maintains throughout the year That is a file to which the staff adds ideas as interpretation
questions arise and from which the amendments to be proposed are drawn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Steven L. Colman, Clerk