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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-07-28-HATSII-min.pdf Minutes HATS II Working Group July 28, 1988 PRESENT. Betsey J Andersen, Selectman, Bedford Richard Reed, Town Administrator, Bedford Richard Joly, Planning Director, Bedford William Sullivan, Selectman, Concord Alan Edmon, Town Manager, Concord Warren F Flint, Selectman, Lincoln Elizabeth Corcoran, Planning Dept. , Lincoln Richard White, Town Manager, Lexington Robert Bowyer, Planning Director, Lexington Joseph Marino, Planning Dept., Lexington John C. Eddison, Selectman, Lexington Chairman Eddison welcomed the members of the HATS II Working Group, and for the benefit of those attending for the first time, reviewed the origin and purpose of HATS II. He briefly outlined the currently proposed Air Force construction plan for Hanscom Field, as discussed at previous meetings of HATS II, for approximately 1,000,000 sq ft. of office and R. and D space, which will impact the area with 2,200+ more workers and 1,500 cars. Mr Eddison referred to a letter from Base Commander Charles Seifert, Hanscom AFB, received July 8th, which accompanied a development plan map for Hanscom. Col. Seifert noted that one component of the plan would be a complete traffic study and analysis on circulation internal to the Base and in the Hanscom region. In September, a 35% submission of the plan will be available for review and comments It is expected that the plan will be 100% complete in May of 1989, at which time an environmental assessment, covering the entire operation of the Base and including traffic will be done. Mr Eddison asked for a sense of direction from the Working Group regarding an assessment of the resultant impact of the new construction on the four towns and on the area as well as what action should be taken. Richard White suggested that, as a first step, exploration should be made as to areas of impact common to the four towns with information to be developed by each town's planning and other staff He felt that dialogue should begin now regarding impact on the individual towns and on the area as a whole. Mr White reported that the Air Force has requested the MWRA to declare the Base a separate political entity i.e. an WRA community with independent water and sewer systems An informal Administrative Request for Opinion has been filed with the Authority Mr White noted that if the Base were no longer dependent on area towns for water/sewer, that would remove some degree of leverage the towns now have with the Base Commander Another issue Mn White felt should be explored is the private/public partner- ship concept under which Mitre is planning its new construction. As a non-federal use, he saw no reason that Mitre should not comply with local zoning laws, despite the fact that it will be located on federal property - 2 - Mr White felt that those were the nest critical issues to be faced. He said, regarding the development of information by Town Planners, that he would prefer to minimize the amount of work and responsibilities assigned to Planning departments because of heavy work loads relative to Town issues to be dealt with. Warren Flint noted the unsatisfactory experience of Lincoln when dealing with the Air Force on housing construction. There had been no opportunity for review of plans and no regard for zoning laws or subdivision regulations. He said that in the event the property should be declared surplus, it could be offered to private developers There had been no response to Lincoln's request that the houses revert to affordable in that case. Mr Flint felt that the issue of local review and levels of local jurisdiction over the Air Force and Massport needs to be addressed. He added that legislation filed by Senator Amick in efforts to assist the four towns never seems to go anywhere. Mr White said that mitigating measures i. e road systems/accesses, need to be explored regarding their effects on area towns, and their potential identified. Robert Bowyer questioned whether, after all impacts had been assessed and regulatory powers established, the Air Force would actually take them into consideration. Mr Flint wondered whether the Air Force should be asked to identify the nccd for moving the Mitre operation to the Base. Robert Nash urged the HATS towns to tie in their responses to the Air Force with the draft Management Plan for Minute Man National Historic Park. Alan Ednon suggested getting at the Air Force through the budget process It was felt that the Air Force must bepressed to look into off-base impacts and to take step to offset them. Mr Bowyer suggested that determination should be made as to where the Air Base's work force is living, from which directions they will approach the Base, He also suggested that the Air Force be asked to supply that information. William Sullivan doubted that any Town pressures would be effective in influencing the Air Force but saw possible leverage through the MWRA or the NEPA process. Betsey Anderson saw the need at this time, while the proposed construction is still in the planning stages, to establish the needs to offset regional impacts, noting that federal funding would be more difficult to obtain after completion of the projects. Elizabeth Corcoran felt that it would be an important first step to make the federal government aware of current traffic problems in the area. Mr White, with reference to the limited time of Town staffs, suggested that the federal government should be urged to cooperate as much as possible in the gathering of information. He felt that a formal 4-town resolution, defining all concerns in a single document, would be effective. P -3- Mr Eddison asked for opinion on whether HATS whould take the initiative in preparing a resolution, noting that information frau all towns on their concerns would be needed (to be supplied by each town's staffs) Mr Bowyer asked if the Air Force should be given a bibliography of existing information on which to base projections Mr White advised an assessment of what actual clout towns have. Ms Corcoran felt that the greatest strength will be in the 4-town effort which should be made quickly Mr Eddison suggested a conference with Lincoln Lab regarding their planned construction. Richard Joly queried whether the federal government is subject to MEPA regulations and whether, if warranted MEPA could stop a federal project. At the close of the meeting, it was agreed that staffs in the four towns will define the impact areas, will outline issues felt to be important and will share that information with the Working Group by the end of August in order to form a comprehensive plan. A full HATS II meeting will be scheduled for September, when draft recom endations will have been prepared by the Working Group. It was suggested that Paul Levy, MWRA, and Senator Michael Barrett could be helpful in this effort. The mooting was adjourned at 10 00 a.m. Respectfully submitted Marion H. Snow