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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was called to
order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair, Richard Canale, with members Charles Hornig, Ginna Johnson,
Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti and Bob Creech, and planning staff Aaron Henry and David
Kucharsky present.
*******************************STAFF REPORTS********************************
General Updates:
Mr. Henry reported that the developer of 443 Lincoln St had received a letter from Eversource
giving approval to use the land under the existing power lines for the purpose of constructing a
roadway to access potential development on the property. Developer currently has a conventional
sketch plan as well as a cluster development option. Board should expect to see this over the next
few months.
Mr. Henry noted that the new hire did not work out and staff are determining how to move
forward with a new search.
Mr. Kucharsky indicated that a public meeting for the Mass Avenue/Worthen Rd intersection will
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be taking place on October 3 (7PM) in Estabrook Hall. Mr. Kucharsky will also be attending
the transportation conference Moving Together tomorrow in Boston.
Comprehensive Plan Update:
Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Land Use Development, provided the Board with
an outline for the formation of the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
***************UPCOMING MEETINGS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS*************
Anticipated Meetings:
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Planning Board will be meeting next Wednesday, October 4 as well as prior to Special Town
Meeting. It has not been determined yet if the Board will meet on both October 16th and 18th or
just one night.
*********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************
Cedar Street Subdivision – proposed street names:
Planning Board continued discussions regarding naming of subdivision roads. Ben Finnegan, the
applicant was joined by Fred Gilgun, attorney, and Ms. Staecker, the property owner. The
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of September 27, 2017
applicant requested that the two streets serving this development be named Winding Road (outer
road) and Penny Lane (inner road). A survey was conducted by the applicant which showed
support for Abbey Road and Penny Lane. However, Abbey Road was removed by public safety
over concerns it sounded too similar to the existing Abbott Rd. On a motion of Ms. Corcoran-
Ronchetti, seconded by Mr. Hornig, it was voted, 5-0 for Winding Road for outer road and Penny
Lane for inner road.
*************************SPECIAL TOWN MEETING*****************************
PUBLIC HEARING
45-65 Hayden Avenue, Planned Development District:
The continued hearing was opened at approximately 7:15 p.m., with approximately five people in
the audience. Present from the applicant team was Mr. Thomas Ragno, principal and CEO of
King Street Properties, Mr. Robert Albro, King Street’s Managing Director, Doug Hartnett of
Highpoint Engineering, Christian Lemon and Brooke Whiting Cash of Lemon Brooke LLC, the
landscape architects, and Robert Michaud of MDM Transportation Consultants.
The applicant refined their PSDUP submission based on feedback received during the September
13 Planning Board meeting. The project team reviewed the updates made to the submission,
which included identifying maximum dimensions and parking spaces, an update on the traffic
analysis, landscaping plans, and provided an update on the status of the MOU.
There was discussion between the Board and the applicant on the specifics of what Zoning
Regulations would govern the review of the site plan, if Town Meeting approves the project.
There was also further conversation about the details on the public access and parking for the
trailhead to Hayden Woods.
It is expected that the applicant will file a formal amendment to its PSDUP application by
September 29, in order to allow the Planning Board to see all the comments that have been
discussed throughout the hearing, including the MOU for its meeting of October 4, at which time
the Board is expected to take a position on this article. On a motion of Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti,
seconded by Mr. Hornig, it was voted 5-0 to close the public hearing.
The Board discussed providing some guidance to staff regarding content of the Board’s report on
this article. On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted 4-0
(Mr. Canale abstained) that the Planning Board recommend to Town Meeting, with such
conditions as discussed, to approve the motion under Article 2.
Recreational Marijuana, Proposed Zoning Bylaw
Chair, Mr. Canale, opened the public hearing at 8:30 p.m. with 1 person in the audience.
Minutes for the Meeting of September 27, 2017 Page 3
Mr. Henry explained to the Board that the recent legislation passed by the State Legislature
allows municipalities, who voted against last year’s referendum, the opportunity to pass a bylaw
which will prohibit recreational marijuana establishments. If the bylaw, which requires a
majority vote, passes then the proposed zoning bylaw which seeks to establish a moratorium will
be indefinitely postponed. If the general bylaw does not pass then the moratorium will be
brought forward for vote (requires 2/3 majority). If passed the moratorium would be in effect
until December 31, 2018. Mr. Hornig did not feel moratorium was necessary as there is
adequate time to address in the Spring Town Meeting of 2018. On a motion of Mr. Hornig,
seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted 5-0 to close the public hearing. On a motion
of Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, seconded by Mr. Creech, it was voted 4-1 (Mr. Hornig voted against)
to recommend to Town Meeting passage of the moratorium if the general bylaw is not passed and
indefinitely postpone the moratorium if the general bylaw is passed. It was agreed that the board’s
report to Town Meeting would be given verbally.
*************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION****************************
Board Member reports:
The Planning Board met with Board of Selectmen recently to discuss the 2020 survey. The
findings were interesting and awaiting receipt of a link to view all the results of the survey.
Mr. Canale recently had a phone conversation with other members of the MAGIC subregion and
CTPS staff regarding transportation planning. They are looking to schedule a workshop in the
near future on this subject.
Lexington is on the ballot for the MPO to serve a three year term. We should know in next few
weeks if any other communities are on the ballot.
Minutes Review and Approval:
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted 5-0 to approve the
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minutes of August 162017.
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The minutes of August 30 and September 13 still need additional edits before approval.
On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by LexMedia.
Bob Creech, Clerk