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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-08-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 8, 2017 A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Battin Hall, Cary Memorial Building was called to order 7:03 p.m. by Chair, Richard Canale with members Charles Hornig, Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Bob Creech, and Ginna Johnson and planning staff Aaron Henry present. *******************************STAFF REPORTS******************************** General Updates: A group of abutters to the Grove Street property has filed an appeal and Mr. Henry forwarded it to the Board and advised them to be careful of what you discuss regarding this matter. ***********2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING PUBLIC HEARINGS******************** Discussion of Article 37, Trees with members of the Tree Committee: There was a presentation to the Planning Board regarding the tree bylaw being proposed to Town Meeting. The main goal is to replant and the retention of large canopy/shade trees. This is to create a provision for protected trees 24 inches in diameter or more that are removed or die within two years of final inspection. Individual Board Comments:  Can you address parking of contractors near trees? Will look into that.  How would you enforce maintenance? Would count on being reported by a neighbor.  Need to set some guidelines for a maximum rather than referencing a book and under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen (BOS).  Fully support this proposal which needs to be done. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-1 (Mr. Hornig opposed), to recommend to Town Meeting approval of Article 37 as presented. ************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION***************************** Minutes: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0-1 (Mr. Creech abstained), to approve the minutes of January 4, 5, and 18, 2017, as amended. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 8, 2017 ***********2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING PUBLIC HEARINGS******************** CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING Special Permit Residential Development, Article 40: Chair Richard Canale opened the continued public hearing at 7:30 p.m. with approximately 5 people in the audience. Mr. Canale spoke with the Moderator and said there was also a citizen’s petition so both will be heard. The Planning Board needs to come up with a proposal that the Board can agree on. Audience Comments:  Put these in the Subdivision Development Regulations from the instead of the Zoning Bylaw so if it doesn’t work after one year it can be changed without going back to Town Meeting. Board Discussion: The Board discussed Board Member’s proposed changes to the original proposal from staff that would combine the Balanced Housing and Public Benefit Developments, with smaller houses, affordable units, 50 % open space, and 80% of the allowable the GFA for that parcel, the proof plan definition for developable area, multipliers for the proof plan, and open space ownership. There was discussion if the numbers should be run again to make sure this would be attractive to developers as opposed to the conventional developments. Audience Comments:  If you kept the Site Sensitive Developments (SSD) separate you would be down to one line.  Believe SSD should remain the way they are at present. Individual Board Member Comments:  Need to add predictability on the high end and the low end for development unit counts.  The Board would give the developer at the sketch level direction on the multiplier allowed for that specific site. Need an Article by next Wednesday staff was asked to model the multiplier at 1.8 at 80% of the allowable GFA with the other things that were added that may or may not be negotiable. The Board Members also want the modeling with the assumptions provided and a multiplier at 1.5. On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to continue the public hearing to March 15, at 6:00 p.m. in Battin Hall, in Cary Memorial Building. Minutes for the Meeting of March 8, 2017 Page 3 **********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION*********************** 29 Hayes Lane, Street Adequacy Determination: The applicant, Walter Scott, said he believed the road was 16-17 feet wide with big trees that go right into the road and there are no berms but there are stone walls present. Mr. Scott said two cars can pass if they go slow. There will be curbing and the existing width of the road will be maintained. If the fire chief does not like the road the tear down cannot be built. On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, that Hayes Lane in the vicinity of 29 Hayes Lane is currently not of adequate grade and construction, but will be if the street is completely reconstructed to full depth as shown in the plans given submitted following Engineering’s standards and conditioned on getting the Fire Chief’s written approval that the width of the road is acceptable for emergency access. ***********2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING PUBLIC HEARINGS******************** Continued discussion of Town Meeting Articles: The Board discussed the upcoming Town Meeting Schedule and when the Zoning Articles would be going. Article 33, Scenic Byway: Mr. Canale recused himself from this discussion. Ms. Johnson opened the discussion. Individual Board Member Comments:  Have there been any comments from residents on Shade Street? Mr. Henry heard from two or three residents objecting. Audience Comments:  One resident was in favor of this Article. Individual Board Member Comments:  Some residents approached a Board Member voicing concerns that this is just one more restriction on their property.  The report should be respectful since this has gone largely under the radar and the Planning Board believes there was wide-spread support of residents on those streets of this proposal and would not do this if there was significant opposition of residents on any of the streets included. On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 4-0, to bring this proposal forward to Town Meeting with the report reflecting the conditions discussed above. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of March 8, 2017 On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 4-0, to recommend approval of this Article with the report reflecting the conditions discussed above to Town Meeting. Article 35, Neighborhood Conservation District, Technical Changes: Mr. Henry said there may be a scope issue and is waiting to hear from Town Counsel On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to bring this to Town Meeting and recommend approval. The Board should review the warrant and let staff know what articles they would like to make recommendations on to Town Meeting. Article 46, Medical Marijuana: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 4-0, to not recommend approval of the proposal in its current form, but would approve with amendments to definitions and changes in the use table that will be reflected in the Planning Board’s report to Town Meeting. Article 41, Revised Definitions: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to bring forward Article 41 in the form discussed at the last meeting and approve to Town Meeting. Article 44, Brookhaven: The applicant is aware they need to address the language change and complete a MOU addressing the mitigation and affordable housing components and be sure the Board approves the entire packet. Article 42, Two-Family Homes: The Board discussed Mr. Hornig’s and Ms. Johnson’s changes to the article. Mr. Hornig will meet with Ms. Johnson before the TMMA meeting and discuss the opposite opinions and then come back to the Board to present their alternative changes. Article 42, Economic Development Refinements: Staff needs to check on some of the refinements with Town Manager’s Office first regarding zoning changes of some parcels. There was discussion of the FAR, dimensional changes with a special permit, and some uses were of concern to Board Members. There was a significant outreach with letters sent to all abutters of the properties. There was concern expressed that this should be done through the Comprehensive Plan. Minutes for the Meeting of March 8, 2017 Page 5 Next week the Board should look at the three items of concern and will address next week. Article 34, Blasting: Mr. Canale will consult with the Board of Selectmen, chair, Ms. Barry regarding this Article since they would be the Special Permit Granting Authority. Article 7, Comprehensive Plan: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Johnson, it was voted, 5-0, to recommend approval of this Article to Town Meeting. ************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION***************************** Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Schedule: The next meeting will be March 15, in Battin Hall at 6:00p.m. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia. Ginna Johnson, Clerk