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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-11-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 11, 2016 A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Parker Room was called to order 5:35 p.m. by Chair Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, with members Charles Hornig, Tim Dunn, Richard Canale, and Ginna Johnson in attendance. The meeting was staffed by the Planning Director, Aaron Henry, and the Assistant Planning Director, David Kucharsky. ********************** STAFF REPORTS ********************** th The Board of Selectmen asked the Planning Board to attend its April 13 meeting to discuss the status of Brookhaven’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Planning is tracking all initiatives and will be prepared to discuss Article 10(G) and the Two-Family article. ***** UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE ***** The Board’s next meeting is Wednesday (April 13, 2016). The Board will need to complete work on Articles 42 and 44. th Anticipated work for the Board’s meeting on April 20, includes finalizing the Town Meeting reports and focus on Development Administration, notably finalizing the Lincoln Street Special Permit decision. Staff expects that two Street determinations will be submitted by then. th April 25 the Board is set to meet before Town Meeting at 5:30. There are no Board-related Town Meeting articles that night, although convening at 6 PM may be necessary to discuss the Brookhaven article. ****** 2016 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING – PREPARATIONS ****** A45,B: RTICLE ROOKHAVEN It is evident that the developer understood the Town’s position regarding their tax-exempt status and indicated that the loss of tax status is a non-starter. The developer is considering postponing the article. The Board of Selectmen meeting on April 13 may clarify the next steps. Ms. Johnson feels uncomfortable voting on the PSDUP without seeing the MOU, which will discuss the issue. A second matter is the affordable housing component. Other concerns include transportation, noise, and the on-site trails and paths. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 11, 2016 The treatment of the proposed (second) entrance was discussed at some length. Police and Fire are satisfied with access being left open and the Engineering Office had, in its review of an earlier iteration of the plan, required an adjustment to its location based on a sight line analysis. Mr. Canale has a problem with it being a two-way and feels it should only be used as emergency access. Ms. Johnson agreed. The proposed signage will indicate emergency access only, but there is no physical impediment proposed. There is nothing in writing, as this point was discussed at an earlier meeting of the staff-led Development Review Team and incorporated into the plans. The Board’s draft Report on the article will be revised to reflect that signage will be placed on the road and the plans updated to reflect this conversation. Given the current schedule, the Board’s report on the zoning elements of the proposal must be finalized by Wednesday (4/13/16). The Planning Board discussed the current draft of the report and provided comments, including more on the history of the land itself as well as the zoning. Staff welcomed the Board to submit additional comments up to Wednesday. A43,BRESCBD: RTICLE ANKING AND EAL STATE ERVICES IN THE ISTRICT There is substantial agreement among the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, and the Center Committee. There was concern that work on an amendment from the Town Meeting floor was underway, but as of today no amendments have been proposed to the Moderator. O THER ITEMS The Planning Board support for Article 10, parts G, H, J, L, P, and Q is unanimous. Part G authorizes the Town to pursue the construction easements necessary to build the signals and related street work. A no vote on this part of the article would effectively end the project. Mr. Canale will speak to Article 10, part G, on behalf of the Board. It was determined that a report discussing the Board’s rationale for requesting the postponement of Article 42, Two-Family Homes, should be provided to Town Meeting. Ms. Johnson would like to have more time to conduct a more detailed analysis, and ideally hold additional workshops to get specific feedback from the public. Mr. Canale voiced concerned with the current political climate. Staff will craft a statement on this article for a board member to read at Town Meeting. The Board requested that the report on Article 44, Planned Development Districts, be recirculated. The conversation started looking forward into the next fiscal year (2017): Ms. Johnson expressed interest in putting together a committee to look at attainable housing. Mr. Hornig would like to focus on commercial initiatives. Completion of the Development Regulations is critical. The Board Minutes for the Meeting of April 11, 2016 Page 3 of Selectmen have asked staff to look at Town wide parking revisions. Mr. Henry would like to have a workshop in the fall and perhaps one in December before the warrant closes on the 2017 ATM. ********************** ADJOURNMENT ********************** At 7:15 PM, on a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia. Ginna Johnson, Clerk