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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-27-HATS-min HATS Minutes Thursday, May 27, 2010 Lincoln Town Offices Attending: Michael Rosenberg, Bedford Selectmen, Chair, Sara Mattes, Lincoln Selectmen, Deb Mauger, Lexington Selectmen, Rita Walsh, Vanasse Hangen Brusthn, Inc , Manlyn Fenollosa, Lexing- ton Historical Commission, Lucretia Giese, Lincoln Historical Commission. At 7:30 pm the meeting was called to order. Mr. Rosenberg introduced the first topic of the evening, the Hanscom Air Force Base housing. Impact of new Hanscom Air Force Base (HAFB) housing In attendance was Rita Walsh, a senior preservation planner from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB). Marilyn Fenollosa and Lucretia Giese, members of the historical commissions of Lexington and Lincoln, respectively,were invited to join at the table for the presentation. There was discussion in connection with the upcoming filing from local historical commissions to the Massachusetts Histor- ical Commission (MHC) regarding the HAFB housing project Ms. Walsh introduced her colleagues, Tim Stengel from the Hunt Building Company and Matt Myl- lykangas from the Hunt Development Group. A project notification form was submitted to MHC and local historical commissions under Section 106 of the National Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The filing was related to the 50-year lease for privatization of military housing. The project is a replacement of a number of older houses with newer houses in the center of the existing development, which was built in the 1980's. Map exhibits were used to demon- strate the scope and location of the project. There was a short discussion on the scope, elevation and location of the project The east area of the project has internal renovations only. MHC was onsite and the Lincoln and Lexington Historical Commissions walked the area to get a sense of the impact of the new construction on the national park. The tree buffer between the park and housing was discussed. The National Park Service put in screen- ing on park property The construction is close to where Hanscom Drive meets Route 2A This is al- so the point at which the elevation changes slightly It was agreed the Air Force should have initiated communication according to Section 106 at the start of the original privatization project; that contractor subsequently went bankrupt. The Board inquired if an objection could be filed to this oversight. Ms. Fenollosa referred the Board to the MHC regarding this The Board discussed having the Lincoln, Bedford, Concord and Lexington Boards cosign a letter to be drafted and circulated with input and objections Two commissions already filed non-objections to MHC which might cause some difficulty now filing objections. Ms. Mattes wanted to go on record in objection to the oversight. Lincoln has not submitted a final set of comments to the MHC and wanted to hear further discussion at this meeting first. It was agreed that the concerns raised and aired at the April site meeting remain. These include the visual appropriateness of the height, colors and materials used; the landscape screen- ing at lower corner of Liberty Road; and increased traffic impacting the visual and psychological expe- rience of the area There was a discussion regarding the complexion of the new housing, which is dif- ferent as a result of an increased number of single family houses. This will create a different usage of the roads. Town bylaws requires a site review and has restrictions if newly constructed buildings from a national boundaries are within a certain distance. Henry Hoover, an alternate for the Lincoln Historical Commission, raised a traffic concern, especially during commuter hours, as there is no report of the net change in jobs and no traffic study data as of yet from VHB. There is agreement that if there is traffic flow on Hanscom Drive through Airport Road, this would have serious adverse effects on visitors to Minuteman National Park. Discussion centered on traffic generated by occupants of the housing. There are no non-military families living on base right now but there will be in the future. The question was raised as to whether traffic could be regulated by family members through a particular base gate A traffic analysis has been considered to include information regarding traffic flow and laws impacting nearby roadways If a traffic study shows adverse impacts, MHC is obligated to find ways to avoid, minimize and mitigate the issues. Richard Canale, Lexington Planning Board, referenced the Battle Road corridor plan study, which gave the designation of a scenic byway. There might be funding available from the Metropolitan Area Planning Committee to develop a management plan to minimize the number of access points for motor vehicles, ensuring that Airport Road remains off limits For example, the least impact would be if res- idents leave through the Hartwell gate. A management plan would need to be developed in order to facilitate a solution such as this. Mr. Canale requested to be a consulting partner of the project. There was a discussing regarding the planned occupancy of the units and some discrepancy in the in- formation given prior regarding the number of houses Some believe the number of people will be lower as the housing was typically occupied by military personnel who mainly stayed on base At the time there were changes on base, the Board was briefed by base personnel that the number of housing units would drop to under 500 but that additional units would be available for use and inhabited by non-military occupants. If this is the case the impact on surrounding roadways would be significantly more and the greatest concern is on Battle Road If a traffic analysis is done it should include num- bers given by base personnel for probable occupancy The houses will be bigger and the bedrooms larger, even though the number of homes may be lower. Mr. Stengel from Hunt Building Company addressed the traffic analysis. He said it would require ma- jor assumptions on the part of the base and is unsure about the availability of longer term projections from the base An analysis would not take into consideration that some people can exercise the option to live off base He mentioned the following • 152 units are in the same footprint as current housing units • Flintlock Ridge remains with only internal renovations to be done • 91 units are conversion units (2 addresses will be combined into 1) • 88 units started by American Eagle will be completed Mr. Rosenberg raised the questions of security and segregating civilian residents. Mr. Myllykangas of Hunt Development suggested everything is workable, as this type of housing is happening around the country on various bases However, elsewhere less than one-half of one percent are civilians living on bases Ms Mattes suggested the Memorandum of Understanding build in that residents only use Hartwell Gate. One issue this housing helps resolve is military families often have to live off base because of limited capacity on the base. Some smaller homes are also for officers required to live on base. Ms Mattes reminded that the Board have always been close partners with the base and is still a strong supporter, along with a desire to build partnership with the private sector. The main concern is that the civilian population may be moving on base and will have a detrimental impact on traffic. This is not a Department of Defense question but one that has to do with local and state responsibility. The Sec- tion 106 process could determine reasonable alternatives. The decision will ultimately be up to the base commander The Lincoln Historical Commission has not yet filed a statement of concern with MHC. They agreed to include additional information when they file regarding the need to address the traffic issue, requir- ing a particular egress, as well as landscape screening within the subdivision area. It was suggested to use a traffic light but the state would then be involved. If the area is a national histonc landmark it be- comes a federal issue and the secretary of the interior should be involved Ms Mattes urged the Lex- ington and Lincoln Historic Commissions to hold off on its submission until we are further into the process, realizing, however they are required to respond in a timely manner. She asked them to consult with the Board before providing a statement to give them the opportunity to include comments and they agreed. Mr. Rosenberg reminded that Section 106 is not a process that stops or thwarts develop- ment but provides an avenue for communication and mitigation. The new housing is both one and two stones It was two stories prior to the subdivision changes so the elevations are not changing. There will be denser housing in one corner and this could be an area of impact to a park visitor. There is a landscape plan for the new construction area. The screening should be effective with vertical elevation so that one would have to be on top of the slope to see the devel- opment Everything is currently screened with foliage and a goal is to have effective screening How- ever, screening cannot be from abutting landscape Despite screening put in place, the rooflmes might be visible in winter months. Mr. Rosenberg stated this discussion was helpful,providing information regarding regional impact. Revisions to State Open Meeting Law The Board wanted to review changes to the state Open Meeting Law that go into effect July 1. Mr. Rosenberg circulated a document from Murphy, Hess, Toomey and Lehane LLC, Bedford town coun- sel, detailing the changes -- for example,posting meetings 48 hours in advance, with postings accessi- ble at all times. Website postings have been considered but are not all inclusive. Postings can be used if they are supplemented with a sign pointing toward a police station, for example, which is open at all times. There are also issues with cable television. Other options that would not require supplemental signs are audio recorded messages with options to hear about meeting notices as well as display boards in Town Hall windows There are newly developed, more stringent requirements of content of post- ings to include agenda outlines. There was discussion regarding what is considered a public meeting and using more specific wording when moving for executive session. Members should be careful when meeting or emailing more than one person at a time However, there is no violation if attending a conference, training program, or media, social or other event where members do not deliberate Whether a public meeting regarding purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate would have a detrimental impact on the negotiating position of the public should also be considered. The Division of Open Government at the Attorney General's Office, is requesting public comment on proposed alternatives to the notice posting requirement in the Open Meeting Law Fines will be im- plemented for intentional violations It was noted that these requirements could be onerous The Board Chair is responsible to post agendas, minutes, and any public meeting information when there is no support staff. The requirements could discourage volunteerism in smaller towns. Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) Report Massport provided a detailed description of noise level measurements related to arrivals and depar- tures, the different aircrafts and how this is monitored. April is the fifth consecutive month of in- creased jet traffic on the airfield, an indicator of gradual economic recovery. Transportation Update Sara Mattes was not able to attend the last Route 128 meeting where there was a discussion of the most recent iteration of the draft quarterly plan. The point of contention is around what are the vehicles in- tended to reduce traffic. Open road tolling has potential to monitor cars going on and off 128. In order to do this more cars will bypass the tolling, using side roads increasing traffic through the communi- ties This has a higher negative impact on the communities, creating an environment where there is then no political will to address Route 128 congestion This could also impacts local companies' abil- ity to hire people who cannot commute effectively. There was a transit summit at the Federal Reserve on May 25. Directors were there from around the country. As a result of tax cuts between 2000 and 2006, revenue has been reduced by 20%. Thus there is not enough money to cover needed work on infrastructure, bridges and roads There was a discussion about state land use reform and a statement put out by State Sen Jamie El- dridge. This is the furthest land use reform has gotten in 30 years. The amalgamation of two bills will not be enacted this year, but maybe next year. Future meeting topics Impact of rolling back the sales tax and local option taxes, as proposed in a statewide referendum. The Board decided to invite representatives of town Finance Committees to help evaluate this. The ques- tion was raised whether legislators would need to be involved to address the many variables It was agreed this was a discussion for September It was agreed that discussions in the past around affordable housing was productive and that the local Conservation Commission should have a representative at each meeting. They should be invited for the meeting in July. New mobility policy from the Secretary of Transportation for pedestrian and bicycle access Assignments to coordinate future attendance • All members to talk within individual towns with Boards, Committees, subcommittees contacts and basions to see what would be useful • Deb Mauger to recruit representatives from the Conservation Commissions for the June meeting. • Sara Mattes to find representatives from the Finance Committee for the September meeting. •Mike Rosenberg will bring Elise Woodward, Concord Selectmen, up-to-date on this evenings discus- sion • Deb Mauger and Mike Rosenberg will work to get possible Senator representation. There was discussion of no future Thunderbirds Air Show because of safety issues Minutes The March, April and May minutes will be voted at the June 24 meeting, assuming a quorum is pre- sent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.