HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Minutes, 1993-06-07 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 7, 1993
IThe meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
l Building, was called to order at 7 41 p.m. by Chairman Williams, with members
Canale, Davison, Domnitz, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner
Marino present. Mr. Grant was absent.
***************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
86 Lowell Street Subdivision On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr.
Domnitz, the Board voted unanimously to approve Woodhaven Realty's June 7,
1993 request for an extension of time to act on the Lowell Street (Emanon
Lane) subdivision from June 9, 1993 to September 7, 1993.
************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS *************************
87. Revision of Development Regulations The Board reviewed a draft, dated
June 7, 1993, of Chapter One, General Provisions, of the Development Regula-
tions. The Board edited the draft and completed its review
****************************** COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ***************************
88 Stens in Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Bowyer distributed notebooks contain-
ing materials describing the preparation of a Comprehensive Plan. He de-
scribed the elements of a master plan required by Ch. 41, Sect. 81D of the
Massachusetts General Laws
Mr. Williams inquired whether the Open Space and Recreation Plan prepared for
the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Committee, was the same as the
Open Space and Recreation element required by Section 81D. Mr. Bowyer
explained that the Planting Board should anticipate collaborating with various
Town boards, committees and departments, in preparing the elements of the
Comprehensive Plan. For instance, the Board might work with the Transportation
Advisory Committee on the Transportation Element, or with the Housing Authori-
ty and LexHAB on the Housing Element. He suggested perhaps 95% of the
material in the Open Space and Recreation plan may be included in the Open
Space and Recreation Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
But the Comprehensive Plan has to be more than a collection of program plans
prepared by different boards, committees and departments. Section 81D
requires that the Comprehensive Plan be internally consistent. For instance,
advocates of housing, open space and recreation, economic development, schools
and transportation might all propose a use for the same piece of land. Part
of the Planning Board's responsibility is to reconcile competing interests so
that the Plan is internally consistent.
Several members asked whether the Town Meeting needs to adopt the Comprehen-
sive Plan and whether a Comprehensive Plan is realistic. Mr. Bowyer explained
that the Planning Board adoption is required; Town Meeting action is optional.
Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan requires dozens of actions by Town
Meeting over the years to adopt or amend regulations and to make appropria-
Minutes for the Meeting of June 7, 1993 2
tions The test of the "realism" of the plan is its ability to persuade Town
Meeting to take the numerous actions necessary to implement it.
The schedule submitted to the Town Manager in January calls for the Board to
complete the Land Use Element during 1993 Mr Bowyer suggested, and the
Board agreed, that at least one meeting a month be devoted exclusively to the
Comprehensive Plan and the Development Regulations and that no zoning or
subdivision matters be included in those meetings.
Mr. Bowyer explained a diagram of the steps for preparation of the Land Use
Element. The staff will prepare several studies, statistical analyses, and
questionnaires that the Board will discuss. From those discussions the staff
will prepare a first draft of the Land Use Element representing what it
believes to be a consensus of the Board on the issues discussed. Then the
first draft will be discussed and after editing and modification by the Board
to achieve a consensus, will constitue the second draft of the Land Use
Element
Mr. Bowyer alerted the Board that this stage is often difficult for Planning
Boards because it requires more free thinking and discussion of controversial
issues. That requires a different approach than reviewing a plan for compli-
ance with zoning or subdivision regulations where there are specific rules.
The Board reviewed an outline, dated June 7, 1993, of work for a build-out
analysis. Applying computer techniques to the Assessor's data base of real
property, the staff can identify all vacant and underdeveloped land in town.
Mr. Domnitz thought the Board should concentrate on the larger, more signifi-
cant parcels rather than becoming bogged down in detail on a large number of
parcels The staff and Board will concentrate a more detailed review on
larger parcels of land - more than 50,000 square feet in the RS and RT zone
and more than 100,000 square feet in the RO zone
************************* PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *************
89 Schedule Meeting with Representatives of Middlesex County Mr. Domnitz
reported he attended a meeting in Waltham about a proposed golf driving range
on the Middlesex County Hospital land. Mr Domnitz arranged to have represen-
tatives of the Middlesex County Commissioners attend a meeting in Lexington to
explain the proposal. The Board agreed to have an informational meeting on
that subject on Tuesday, June 22, 1993
The meeting was adjourned at 10 13 p m. ''
,
Edmund C ' . ant, 'Jerk