HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1991-03-11 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 11, 1991
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7 30 by the Clerk Mr Williams, with members
Domnitz, Grant, Davison, Planning Director Bowyer, and Acting Assistant
Planner Marino present. Mrs. Wood was absent.
61. Article 31 Parking Factors
Members of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, the Lexington Center Committee,
and other interested parties and citizens were present to discuss the proposed
parking amendments.
Mr. Williams summarized each of the 4 sections of the proposed amendment
Those present then had the opportunity to question, comment, and discuss the
proposed amendments
Section A Mr. Domnitz stated that this amendment is based on the assumption
that the number of barber shops and hairdressers in town have stabilized and
the Board does not expect a significant number of new establishments. In
response to a question from Selectmen, Leo McSweeney, Mr Domnitz stated that
he did not think the amendment would prohibit an existing shop from relocating
in town.
Sections B and C Sections B and C were discussed simultaneously. The
majority of the discussion focussed on the so-called "substitution provision"
of the Zoning By-Law In cases where there is not sufficient off-street
parking, uses that have a lower parking requirement cannot be replaced by
those uses that have a higher parking requirement. The Board explained that
until 1984 there were no off-street parking provisions for the CB district.
In general, the parking standards for the CB district are less stringent than
for other districts.
The proposed Section B will change the By-Law so the same number of parking
spaces are required for restaurants and fast-food establishments The
proposed amendment will also change the method by which the number of parking
spaces is calculated -- from counter space and employees -- to floor area and
seats. The Board explained that existing uses are grandfathered, new uses
would need to comply with the Zoning By-Law, and the proposed amendment would
remove the difficulties in administering the existing parking factors. Mr
Grant stated that he felt that this amendment would remove some of the
flexibility inherent in the current method of calculating the number of
parking spaces.
In response to comments from Josephine Williams, from The Food Emporium, and
Louis Bongiorno, from Craft Cleaners, the Board said it would be sure that the
Building Commissioner is informed that the underground parking garage in the
Salter Building at 1709-1727 Mass Ave , is now being leased in a way incon-
sistent with the Lexington Zoning By-Law
Bob Domnitz explained the off-street parking policy adopted by the Town in
1984. The responsibility for providing any additional parking spaces in the
center, attributable to new growth, would have to be accepted by the business
Minutes for the Meeting of March 11, 1991 2
owners and not the Town The Planning Director added that the parking
standards established by the Lexington Zoning By-Law are different and lower
for the Center Business district than for all other commercial districts.
A consultant for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, John Connery, of Connery
Associates Planning and Development Consultants, commented on how the Town
applies parking standards to existing structures He stated that the method
that the Board proposes to use to measure the required number of parking
spaces is good. However, he warned that the Planning Board actions would
"micro-manage" the situation and would remove the flexibility that is part of
the current By-Law. He suggested that the By-Law allow permitted uses to
locate in any existing building in the Center without needing to comply with
any parking requirements. He said the Board should concentrate on applying
parking standards to new buildings only.
The Chamber of Commerce urged that the Planning Board delay for a year the
proposed section C to allow more discussion and study of the issue.
Section D. Mr. Williams explained that this amendment, that deals with
seating on the sidewalk, is designed for those times of the year, essentially
the summer months, when parking demand in the center is traditionally at its
lowest. Mr. Grant stated that he felt that the amendment lacks flexibility
The amendment, in practice, would apply only to one side of Massachusetts
((( Avenue
The meeting was adjourned at 9 35 p m
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David G Williams, Clerk