HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-07-HPB-min
Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for March 7, 2025
Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Wendy Manz (Chair), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Joyce
Murphy, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice-Chair)
Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison),
Margaret Heitz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), John Zhao (COA)
Guest: Dawn McKenna (Article 2 proponent), Jerold Michaelson (Lexington Center Committee)
The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by
Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference.
1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting
Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. The roll was called.
2. Discussion and next steps after March 5, 2025 Planning Board Hearing on Article 2 to Amend
section 7.5 of the Zoning Bylaw to Reduce Multi Family Dwelling Unit Capacity
Mr. Hornig, Ms. Thompson, and Abby McCabe (Planning Director) met with Ms. McKenna’s
group to review areas of difference. There is one technical issue outstanding. Other differences
between the Planning Board and the proponents of Article 2 appear to be resolved. Ms. McCabe
agrees that this is the case.
The draft motion will be available shortly for review prior to the Planning Board meeting on June
12, which will take up the draft motion. The Select Board will review the draft motion on March
10.
If the motion is approved, there will be less housing built than under the original MBTA
Communities Act zoning and probably fewer inclusionary units.
The draft motion does not include either Lexington Center or the area around the intersection
of Bedford Street and Worthen Street. The Lexington Center Committee will meet with the
proponents of Article 2 to understand why Lexington Center was removed from the motion.
Ms. McKenna pointed out that Lexington Center is not a “one size fits all” area for housing.
Some portions of the Center are much more conducive to housing than other areas. The MBTA
Communities Act requires one parking space per housing unit. If a substantial number of units
are built in the center, an equivalent number of parking spaces will need to be created. In
response, Ms. Byrnes made a strong case for housing in Lexington Center and keeping Lexington
Center in Article 2. Ms. McKenna reiterated her support for creating zoning for housing in
Lexington Center outside the MBTA Communities Act zoning requirements.
The Planning Board will not work on zoning for Lexington Center but will, of course, review any
zoning proposals made to the Planning Board regarding Lexington Center.
There was additional discussion between the HPB and Ms. McKenna about Article 2. There was
further discussion among HPB members regarding the need for housing in Lexington Center and
the best way to zone for that housing.
3. Set Next Meeting Date
The HPB will meet on March 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm on Zoom.
4. HPB Adjournment
Ms. Weiss moved adjournment. Mr. Linton seconded the motion.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 8-0-0 to approve the
motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm.