HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-18-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MAY 18, 2016
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room was called to
order 7:01 p.m. by Chair Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, with members Charles Hornig, Tim Dunn,
Richard Canale, and Ginna Johnson and planning staff Aaron Henry and Lori Kaufman present.
****************************STAFF MEMBER REPORTS**************************
General updates:
The open space plan has been accepted by the state.
Next Wednesday evening there will be a meeting at Clarke School regarding traffic calming
related to the East Mass Ave. project.
475 Bedford Street
:
The owner of the property wants the community’s preliminary thoughts on a potential plan for a
mixed use development if the existing tenant Boston Sports Club does not renew their lease. The
Economic Development Advisory Committee was hoping for a proposal incorporating more retail
instead of all residential or office use. Board Members felt commercial use might be a good idea
for this site, which is currently in the RO District. The Board liked that the applicant is putting
this forward way in advance to allow time for review and process on designs of the proposals that
might come up. Board Members should forward comments to staff.
GFA Special Permit Request
:
The first application to exceed the FAR limits has been filed. Staff will forward a summary to
Planning Board Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) application to allow for
discussion and comment as needed prior to the ZBA meeting.
************* UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE**************
Discussion of upcoming meeting schedule and known agenda items:
Tuesday, June 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a meeting during the day for staff
and Board Members in Parker Room. The next meeting will be June 1 and look to finalize the
next section of the regulation that will be forwarded to the Board for review. The following
meeting will be Wednesday, June 15 and continue with the Development Regulations and
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of May 18, 2016
reorganization. If Board Members have anything they want addressed at the June 14 meeting
please forward to staff.
*********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************
Ridge Road, Street Determination:
Ms. Ginna Johnson recused herself from this project.
The applicant has requested a continuance to the June 15 meeting and the action deadline is June
18. On May 31 the applicant is meeting with Conservation and meeting with staff on June 1 and
the Board Members will be updated that evening at their meeting. Abutters will be noticed for the
new date.
The Board will take no action tonight and discuss the proposal on Wednesday, June 1.
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, informal meeting on a potential redevelopment in the Center:
A key member of this project has fallen ill and the applicant will not be able to present the project
this evening. The proposal will add residential units above the retail shops and underground
parking.
Regulatory updates:
Review of proposed Zoning regulations, Section 1-4:
The Board discussed the comments submitted by Members after review.
The following changes were proposed:
Write language with appropriate boundaries;
Fees are being reevaluated by staff to set appropriate amounts based on the cost to review
the plans;
The language should be gender neutral;
Purpose and objectives 1.2 add reference to protect the environment; and
Get rid of mylars and go digital.
Staff will make these changes and send out to the Board before for the next meeting.
Review of Planning Board’s procedural Rules (updated):
There were no comments from Board members so staff will provide a clean copy for the June 15
meeting.
****************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS************************
Ms. Johnson will have the final meeting of the RPC for final minutes and report next Wednesday,
May 25 at 7:15 p.m. in the Parker Room.
Minutes for the Meeting of May 18, 2016 Page 3
Next Wednesday, May 25, MAPC will meet in Boxborough to discuss the new storm water
regulations. Staff explained that the new storm water regulations for Lexington are very strong,
and will be going to the Board of Selectmen in approximately one month for adoption.
**************************************MINUTES*******************************
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the minutes of February 3,
10, and 24 as amended.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to adjourn at 8:43 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by LexMedia.
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
Draft Planning Board Zoning regulations dated May 16, 2016. (13 pages).
475 Bedford Street image of the site (1 page).
Draft Planning Board procedural Rules (9 pages).
Letter from John Farrington regarding Ridge Road asking to continue to June 15 (1
page).
Ginna Johnson, Clerk