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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 18, 2017
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Battin Hall, Cary Memorial Building was
called to order 7:00 p.m. by Chair, Richard Canale with members Charles Hornig, Nancy Corcoran-
Ronchetti, Tim Dunn, and Ginna Johnson and planning staff Aaron Henry, and David Fields
present.
*********2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING INFORMATION SESSION*****************
Discussion and Review of POTENTIAL Warrant Articles for 2017 ATM:
The Board and staff prepared a PowerPoint presentation detailing all of the proposals described
below and is included in the documents attached to these minutes.
Zoning Articles:
Special Permit Residential Developments:
Mr. Henry described the general outline of the changes that modify the Special Permit Residential
Developments. These center on eliminating Public Benefit Developments, requiring affordable
units, reviewing the sizes of the units and the allowable gross floor area within them.
Several audience members had questions about the current bylaw and concerns they perceive with
them; these included the number of units, the sales prices of the units, and the impact of these
developments on Town services and quality of living.
Definitions Updates
As many of the comments on SPRDs had to do with the measurement of Gross Floor Area, Mr.
Canale requested that staff explain this proposed article. Mr. Fields then walked the audience
through the proposed changes to several definitions that relate to the implementation of Gross Floor
Area limitation adopted by the Town at ATM 2016.
Two-Family Homes
Ms. Johnson described the current draft article to permit two-family homes in the RO and RS
zoning districts by special permit. There were a few questions from the audience, which was
generally supportive.
Economic Development Refinements
Mr. Hornig led the overview of the Board’s proposed Economic Development refinements, largely
pertaining to the CRO District. Principally these changes deal with FAR, additional uses (including
CM), adjustments to district boundaries (including GC), and transportation management overlays
in the Forbes Road and Spring Street-Hayden Avenue area.
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of January 18, 2017
The audience questions were targeted mostly at clarifications of elements of the proposal with few
substantive issues raised.
General Bylaws:
Scenic Roads
Ms. Johnson described the current proposal for the designation of four Town ways as Scenic Roads.
Public comment was mixed, ranging from supportive (including suggestions for additional streets)
to outright opposition.
Blasting
The Board’s exploration to prohibit blasting in Town was described by Ms. Johnson. Public
comment was generally supportive but opposition to the article was voiced. Many (regardless of
their view of the article) thought the proposal should nuance the complete prohibition.
NCD Technical Changes
Mr. Canale explained the technical changes to the NCD General Bylaw identified over the last year
as its implementation has begun.
****************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION*************************
Upcoming meeting schedule and known agenda items:
Mr. Henry described the upcoming agendas.
Board Reports:
Mr. Canale shared a pending report from CTPS regarding pedestrian level of service. It was
requested that this be forwarded to staff.
Minutes:
The Board deferred action on minutes.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Mr. Hornig requested that the Board spend some additional time on the two-family proposal, as
there remains some differences on the substance of the article and the public hearing is scheduled
for its next meeting.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to adjourn at 10:10 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by LexMedia.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
PowerPoint Presentation
Ginna Johnson, Clerk