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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-29-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF NOVEMBER 29, 2017 A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Estabrook Hall was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair, Richard Canale with members Charles Hornig, Ginna Johnson, and Bob Creech. Planning staff Aaron Henry, David Fields, and Lori Kaufman were present. Nancy Corcoran- Ronchetti was absent. Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Land Use and Melisa Tintocalis, Economic Development Director were present. *******************************STAFF REPORTS******************************** Economic Development Update: Ms. Tintocalis gave the Board a status update regarding a possible rezoning initiative for the northern part of Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street. Staff have been working with consultants and members of the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board to develop some general concepts to determine what could be done in this area to support the Town’s commercial base. On December th 18 the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board will meet with staff and the consultants to discuss the findings of a marketing analysis and some recommendations based on the current real estate cycle and potential for the Town. *****************************COMPREHENSIVE PLAN*************************** Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) Update: Mr. Canale explained to the Board that the selection committee met last week to review and th approve a slate of potential committee members recommended by staff. On December 13 the Planning Board will have an opportunity to review the potential committee members and hopefully approve their selection. Comprehensive Plan Update: Mr. Henry provided a status update on the comprehensive plan and proposed schedule for the process including a draft of the committee charge. The Board discussed the charge and staff asked that members provide them with additional comments before the next meeting. Ms. Kowalski will be happy to assist with the CPAC charge. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 29, 2017 ***************NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (NCD)************** A meeting of the Historical Commission held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, David Kelland, with members Samuel Levi Doran, Diane Pursley, Marilyn Fenollosa, and Wendell Kaslow present. Pierce-Lockwood Neighborhood Conservation District: There are 21 parcels in the study area, six opted-out, which is 28% and does not meet the criteria or redraw the study area to see if it can still meet the criteria. In a generic NCD there needs to be a 75% to be opt in. The question is whether to redraw boundaries of the study area? Individual Board Comments:  Does it pay to use this mechanism involving the whole Town government or to do private restrictions?  20 parcels seems to be workable in the Wellesley model.  Redraw the study area district lines eliminating the most northern property and will still keep the districts integrity.  Six of the properties are already in the Historic District with regulatory restrictions. This would double the restrictions and the seven houses that are not in the Historic District should be advised and see if they still want to be in the district. Is this truly a NCD for the seven houses not included in the Historic District already?  With the removal of the northern house it appears to be a cohesive district. Audience comments:  Ms. Moultrup said she resides at 10 Lockwood which is in the Historic District along with three other homes. We see that one Board could say yes and one could say no, but will work closely with the Historic District Commission. Those opting out were new and afraid and the other was an elderly resident and wants the maximum value for their home. Some residents were concerned about being doubly regulated.  One important thing was that when the additional property opted-out Ms. Moultroup notified all the opted-in owners and they all still wanted to be included in the NCD. This is also about a social piece to this proposed district. On a motion of Ginna Johnson, seconded by Wendell Kaslow, it was voted, 9-0, to redraw the study area removing the northern house and then achieve the 75% needed to opt in and recommend to the BOS to move this forward to Town Meeting. Turning Mill NCD: Minutes for the Meeting of November 29, 2017 Page 3 Ms. Pursley recused herself from the Turning Mill NCD. Mr. Creech recused himself from the Turning Mill NCD. A map was presented identifying 162 parcels in the study area. Five certified letters were returned to sender. There were more than 25% opt-out letters received. One resident thought the deadline was extended and submitted their opt-out after the deadline. Another resident was still waiting before handing in the letter and also thought the deadline was extended. As there is more than 25% opt-out, Boards discussed whether we can get a proposal tonight or the next meeting. Individual Board Comments:  If we wanted to move forward with this we still can, but we have to decide if this district still maintains its’ integrity and accept it as is or redraw the study area, which is looking like Swiss cheese.  It was believed that there needs to be 75% to proceed.  This district even with the Swiss cheese impact still has the cohesiveness and the bylaw does not require contiguous properties.  Saddened about the Swiss cheese impact, but the values would remain good and this is a volunteer process. Support this to move forward.  Would not like to redrawn the study area if it excludes properties that have not opted-out.  Need to figure out and relook at the bylaw to see what can or can’t be done with the five letters returned to sender, and for the one person who opted-out late, and anyone else who thought the opt out was extended by two weeks. Audience Comments:  Section 78-A-4 what happens with jointly owned property how does the vote work? Legal Counsel has not gotten back to us yet with a response.  Do the people in the NCD get to choose the committee? Not been decided yet.  How would building plans be implemented? Plans would be submitted to the Building Commissioner if they are different then what was approved by the committee it will be shut down if not compliant. There would be a cease and desist work stop order and penalties for violation, but residents can go to the commission for modifications/amendments.  This feels like this is misleading if 75% have to vote for it to go to Town Meeting. If people need 30 days to make a decision they should have 30 days. To change this now to where 75% no longer required is cause for concern. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of November 29, 2017  There is large numbers in the Turning Mill NCD and almost similar to Pierce-Lockwood and not so bad. There will be a Planning Board Member and Historical Commission to oversee this and maintain the requirements.  Consider redrawing the study area and leave out the contiguous parcels that opted-out.  One of the homes that is in 28 Partridge was demolished and still wants to be part of the NCD. On the map shown included all the roads and parcels and remove the black parcel on Dewey Road, 22 Turning Mill Lane is a new owner and wants to be included. We do not want to exclude those who want to be in just like do not want to include those who want to be out. Individual Board Comments:  The Boards can relook at the five parcels and late opt-outs for the additional two weeks and decide what to do about returned letters, late opt-outs, what to do about the formation of the commission.  How do we make these decisions in an open meeting?  Members can send comments to staff so they can be presented at the next meeting and reviewed by Board Members before the next meeting.  The Boards will not turn away public comments.  Want to redraw the lines, but keep the study area as large as possible.  The Planning Board will attend the Historical Commission meeting on December 20, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the Historical Commission Meeting at 9:05 p.m. *********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************ 2 Fairland Street, street determination: The applicant applied for a demolition permit, which planning staff was not initially made aware of, so a portion of the house was demolished before the street determination was requested. The lot is located next to 2 Rolling Lane. No street plans were provided with the application. Staff provided recommended improvements based on measures identified in the 2 Rolling Lane decision. The Board determined they need a proposed street plan to make a determination and to discuss possible maintenance of a drainage system. The applicant said they would work with the engineer working on 2 Rolling Lane to get a plan developed as soon as possible. Applicant should also get a surety based on estimate provided by town engineering staff. Minutes for the Meeting of November 29, 2017 Page 5 th The Board will hear this matter on December 13 to review the plan and discuss surety. An abutter to the 2 Fairland Street and 2 Rolling Lane was concerned about what will happen especially regarding drainage for the road. ***************UPCOMING MEETINGS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS************* Anticipated Meetings: The next meetings are 12/13, 12/18, 12/20 & 1/10. Mr. Creech will be unable to attend December thth 20. Mr. Canale will not be able to attend January 10. *************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION**************************** Board Member reports: CPC is meeting tomorrow regarding the Douglas House renovations for the Annual Town Meeting. Street naming policy research has been inconclusive. Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti will have other updates from Concord. There might be five rezoning articles but not on track for the Annual Town Meeting. Minutes Review and Approval: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Mr. Creech, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the minutes of September 13 and November 11, 2017. On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia. The following documents used at the meeting can be found on the Planning Board website in Planning Board packets.  Comprehensive Plan draft mission.  Pierce-Lockwood NCD study area map opt-in/opt-out.  Turning Mill NCD study area map opt-in/opt-out.  2 Fairland Street determination staff recommendations. Bob Creech, Clerk