HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1991-04-08 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 1991
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building, was called to order at 7 05 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Wood, with
members, Davison, Grant, Williams, Planning Director Bowyer and Assistant
Planner Marino present. Mr. Williams left after Item 89. Mr. Domnitz arrived
during Item 90.
89. Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of
March 18 and 25, 1991. On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Grant,
it was voted 4-0 to approve the minutes, as written.
The Board reviewed and edited the minutes for the meeting of April 1, 1991.
On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted 4-0 to
approve the minutes, as amended.
****************************** REPORTS ******************************
90. Planning Director
a. Preserving Rural Character Mr. Bowyer distributed copies of a
report from the APA Planning Advisory Service. Mr. Bowyer noted the
report contains good ideas on site planning and criteria for reviewing
cluster and conventional subdivisions. He added copies also will be
given to some developers. Mr. Bowyer also reported that another report
from the APA was received today, entitled "Reinventing the Village",
about preserving the character of villages and small towns. Copies of
this report will also be distributed to the Board.
b. APA Bulletin Board: Mr. Bowyer reported that he and Mr. Marino
had attended the first session of a continuing education program
sponsored by the New England Chapter of APA. John Thomas of Beals and
Thomas made a very informative presentation of the public regulation of
site planning. Among other things, he stressed it was more important to
be concerned about water quality than water quantity, particularly '
relating to water runoff in subdivisions.
********************* STATE LEGISLATION **************************************
91. Planning Board Positions on Zoning Bills in the Legislature: Mr. Bowyer
reviewed the background of Senate Bill 800, which deals with changes in the
grandfathering/vesting of subdivision plans. APA has been working on this
bill for about three years, including dialogue with the Mass. Homebuilders
Association and thinks this bill, admittedly a compromise, is about as good as
it can get. The bill would reduce the time period of vesting from 7-8 years
to 4 years, and would move the trigger date back from the date of the enact-
ment to the date of publication of the public hearing notice.
The Board also agreed to support House Bill 1954 which would eliminate the
three years use provision grandfathering through an ANR plan.
On the motion of Mr. Domnitz, seconded by Mrs. Davison, it was voted unani-
mously to send letters to appropriate committees in support of the two bills
Minutes for the Meeting of April 8, 1991 2
discussed above. It was agreed to send copies to Representative Doran and
Senator Bayern. Mr. Domnitz pointed out a potential technical problem which
Mr. Bowyer will pursue with the APA Legislative Committee members working on
the bill.
************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ***************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
92. Hearing Scheduled for Mav 9. 1991: Mrs. Wood gave an oral review and
the Board agreed to make no comment on the following application scheduled to
be heard by the Board of Appeals.
46 Downing Street, John and Anne Wilson, variance, side yard setback
****************** ARTICLES FOR THE 1991 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING **************
93. Article 31. Parking Factors: Mrs. Wood announced that at tonight's Town
Meeting session, Selectman McSweeney will move reconsideration on Part D of
Article 31. On the motion of Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted
unanimously that the Planning Board support the motion for reconsideration of
Part D. Mr. Domnitz reported he did not plan to move reconsideration of Part
C tonight, although he had served notice of reconsideration.
94. Article 40 Automatic Sprinklers Mrs. Davison noted, for future follow-
up, that there was a need for the provisions of this article, requiring
sprinkler systems in multiple dwelling units, to apply to Bed and Breakfast
establishments.
***************** PLANNING BOARD SCHEDULE ******************************
94. Planning Board Anril Schedule Mrs. Wood announced that since the Town
Meeting schedule has changed, the next meeting of the Board will be held April
29, 1991 and will begin at 7 30. On the agenda will be three informational
meetings on 1) a resubmission of a preliminary plan on Munroe Village; 2) a
sketch plan for a two lot subdivision at the end of Wright Street and 3) a
preliminary plan for a four lot subdivision, entitled Taylor Lane, off Revere
Street.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 55 p.m.
9.734 614
David G. Wil lams, Clerk
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