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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-10-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY10, 2018 A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Hudson Room, in the Cary Memorial building was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair, Richard Canale with members Ginna Johnson, Charles Hornig, Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, and Bob Creech, and planning staff Aaron Henry, David Kucharsky, and Lori Kaufman present. Mr. Carl Valente, Town Manager was present. *******************************STAFF REPORTS******************************** Upcoming Meetings & Anticipated Meetings: The next three Planning Board meetings are May 24, June 7 and 21. Other upcoming meetings are May 22, CPAC Meeting, May 23, Economic Development Panel #2, May 29, Housing Panel #2, May 30, Joint BOS and PB- Hartwell Avenue Initiative, and June 4, Comprehensive Plan Kick Off Event. Comprehensive Plan Update: The RFP deadline was April 20 and a decision will be made next week and shared at the next meeting. Board Members can send staff recommendations on the RFP. *************************COMMUNITY UPDATE******************************* Planning Director Position: Mr. Valente explained the transition plan for the departure of Mr. Henry, Planning Director. The recruitment process began last week with a closing date of June 8, 2018 and are looking at Labor Day to have a new director in place. In the meantime Mr. Valente recommended Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development serve as the interim Planning Director. Board Comments:  There was concern about the additional work since a full time staff member is needed and wants to make sure there will enough time for Ms. Kowalski to be able to handle the work load that would be required.  Board members are delighted to work with her more closely.  If additional resources are needed can the extra monies from salary be used for additional help? Can go to Town Meeting and can be done if needed. On a motion of Ms. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the Town Manager’s recommendation of Carol Kowalski as the interim Planning Director. SPRD Committee: The Board discussed the draft charge for the Special Permit Residential Development Committee and Mr. Canale’s proposed changes. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of May 10, 2018 Board Comments:  The charge needs to be clear about what was meant by joint and if both boards do not agree that does not stop the process.  Would like Board of Selectmen (BOS) Member be a voting member as well as Residential Policy Committee Members.  This committee would be subject to open meeting law.  Need to see data and documentation.  The committee should go back to basics and should leave the scope broad.  The feasibility piece has been hard to get, the focus should be on what the Board wants to get from the project and what is being built and not the amount of money made by the developer for the project.  Do you see this as a policy making committee or a stakeholder committee?  Having a Real Estate agent on the committee would not be balanced.  Bring in seven people as committee members and others to participate.  Advocate moving this forward as soon as possible since this was promised to be brought back for the Fall Special Town Meeting.  Mr. Canale will speak with Ms. Hai and the Town Manager to get things moving. Net Zero Plan Update: Mr. Mark Sandeen presented Getting Net Zero Emissions Road map and recommendations to update the Planning Board. The presentation can be found in the meeting packet for May 10, 2018. The goal would be how to get this incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. *********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************ 17 Tower Road, ANR: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to endorse the plan as it does not show a subdivision. Belmont Country Club Land, ANR: On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Johnson, it was voted, 5-0, to endorse the plan as it does not show a subdivision. 7 Hartwell Avenue, Sketch PSDUP: Mr. Bob Buckley, attorney from Riemer and Braunstein representing the Russian School of mathematics was present.