HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-16-NCDTM-min Town of Lexington
Meeting Minutes: Turning Mill NCD Study Committee
May 16, 2017 at 7pm in the Parker Room in Town Hall
Attendees from Committee: Richard Canale, Diane Pursley, Bob Creech, Sally Cassells
Public: Tina McBride
Scribe for Minutes: Diane Pursley
Motion to adopt Meeting Minutes from 5/2/2017 by Richard Canale, second by Bob Creech
Vote: 4-0 in favor to accept minutes
A series of five in-person neighbor meetings were held to get feedback on the current draft of
the bylaw. Approximately 25 neighbors were in attendance.
The most significant concerns voiced were:
• We need to specifically allow for modern, contemporary architectural materials to
update the homes. There should not be an expectation that homeowners need to
replace with original materials.
• Questions about landscaping requirements. The emphasis in the bylaw is around
maintaining the woodland character and current privacy screening norms. There will be
guidelines regarding the specific plant types, but the requirements are around
maintaining the "naturalistic setting"
• Process for nominating the neighbor members of the Commission. It is defined in the
enabling bylaw as "appointed by the Town Manager" but neighbors would want to have
a say over the names submitted to the Town Manager for approval. In response, a note
has been added to the bylaw stating that there will be a popular neighborhood vote to
nominate Commission members and there will be limits to length of service.
• There was confusion and discussion around regulations and advisory guidelines. Work
will be done to better define what is a regulation and what is just advisory(not
required).
• In addition to the bylaw, if the bylaw is approved, there must be a significant
supplementary guideline document maintained similar to the HDC.
Plan for dates is dependent on the Fall Town Meeting. Currently, the dates are not definite.
We will allow 21 days for the official opt-out period after the Public Hearing, but people will
have from the time of receipt of the certified mailing to 11/22 to opt out.
We have to hold the Public Hearing within 60 days of the submission of the Study Report to the
Planning Board and Historical Commission.
Diane will contact Carol Kowalski to set up some meetings with the Town Staff and Town
Counsel and discuss the logistics of the certified mailing.
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Richard Canale, second by Bob Creech
Vote: 4-0 in favor to adjourn