HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-PB-ATM-rpt (Article 38 Recommendation) rvj,e, Town of Lexington
a .. ` . PLANNING BOARD `
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
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. 'g',t � + �l 1 Richard L.Canale,Chair
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Lexington,MA 02420 Ginna Johnson,Vice-Chair
r 4:1 (781)698-4560 ' Bob Creech,Clerk
i. m‘,..zo planning@lexingtonma.gov L E i-61 ,i' a.l,-s Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti
444114o e ` www.lexingtonma.gov/planning Charles Hornig
Michael Leon,Associate
RECOMMENDATION REPORT
ARTICLE 38 — CS DISTRICT TO CSX DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATION
This report was accepted by a vote of 4-1 by the Planning Board on March 14, 2018.
At its meeting of February 28, 2018,the Planning Board, by a vote of 4-1, recommended that
Town Meeting REFER THE ARTICLE TO THE PLANNING BOARD.
BACKGROUND
The genesis of this article was a desire to increase commercial development opportunities in the
Marrett Road-Spring Street intersection area. The original proposal included new uses and
relaxed dimensional controls. A new business district was envisioned to replace the current
commercial zoning on both sides of the street, simplifying and modernizing the land use controls
of the area.
SUMMARY OF THE MOTION
The changes currently proposed under Article 38 will:
1. Create a new zoning district—CSX. The CSX District is based on the CS district, but
with additional uses, hence the moniker CS eXpanded.
2. Move five parcels of land from the CS District to the new CSX District.
3. When contrasted to the CS District, allow the following uses by right:
o Office uses (3 types)
o Outpatient medical clinic
o Real estate uses
o Travel, insurance, or ticket agencies
o General retail (2 classes)
o Grocery store
o Clothing store
o Home goods (home appliances, furnishings)
o Artisan work
4. When contrasted to the CS District, allow the following uses by special permit:
o Sit down restaurants
o Fast food restaurants
o Package stores
o Office uses (when one entity occupies an entire building)
Planning Board Recommendation Report
Article 38—CS District to CSX District
Page 2 of 2
PUBLIC PROCESS
As required by State law, the Planning Board opened a public hearing for this petition on January
31, 2018. Among the many comments voiced by individual Board members, a majority felt that
the lack of public process was a severe inadequacy of the proposal. Many residents were
concerned over the lack of communication given its broad scope. After discussion, the Board
continued the matter to its meeting of February 28, 2018. At that time the scope of the motion
was significantly reduced, consisting only of a handful of new uses, in response to the concerns
voiced at the first session of the hearing. At the conclusion of this session, the Board determined
that it had received all the necessary information to deliberate on the proposed motion and voted
to close the hearing.
The proponent of the article also made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at its meeting of
January 28, 2018. The Board understands that outside of the formal public hearing process,the
proponent of the Article has met with area abutters and other interested citizens, holding a
question and answer session at the Aloft Hotel on January 30, 2018, as well as informal meetings
and phone calls to address comments and concerns. The proponent is expected to present to the
TMMA Information Meeting on March 21, 2018.
CONCLUSION
For years, the Planning Board has been aware that the small commercial districts in town (CLO,
CN, CRS, and CS) are in need of a rigorous review. In 2015, it brought a multi-part article
forward to adjust the zoning district lines of these properties to align with their parcel lines. This
was the first step in better understanding these essential parts of the community. Mr. Minasian's
petition was ambitious but lacked the outreach necessary to validate the effort. By referring this
motion back to the Board, the dialogue that has now begun may continue with the hopes that the
petitioner,the neighborhood, and the Board can return to Town Meeting at or before the 2019
Annual Town Meeting with a proposal that meets not just the needs of the proponents but those
of the area and the Town.
One member of the Board feels that the significant outreach done by the proponent was adequate
for the relatively minor change proposed.
RECORD OF VOTES
Signatures of a majority of the Board,
Richard L. Canale, Chair Bob Creech, Clerk
Ginna Johnson, Vice-Chair Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti