HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-23-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2019
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was called
to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Ginna Johnson with members Richard Canale, Charles Hornig,
Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Bob Creech and planning staff Sheila Page and Lori Kaufman
present. Michael Leon, Associate Planning Board Member joined the meeting during the 15-17
Fairland matter.
*****************************STAFF REPORTS**********************************
Comprehensive Plan Update:
Chair, Ms. Johnson said that the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) met last
week and discussed, Transportation, Housing and Economic Development.
**********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION***********************
Presentation of Citizen’s Petition proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment for limited site plan
review for protected uses under MGL Chapter 40A Sec.3:
Town Counsel is reviewing the proposal and the public hearing is scheduled for February 13,
2019.
497 Concord Avenue, Pubic Hearing Definitive Subdivision:
Chair, Ms. Johnson, opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. with approximately 4 people in the
audience.
The applicant has requested that the public hearing be continued to February 27, 2019.
The applicant has requested that the review period be extended for 90 days from January 30 to
April 30, 2019.
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to continue
the public hearing to February 27, 2019, in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at 7:00p.m.
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the
request of applicant and agree to extend the review period 90 days to April 30, 2019.
124 Laconia Street Approval Not Required (ANR):
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, it was voted
to endorse the ANR plan showing the property at 124 Laconia Street as it does not require
approval under the Subdivision Control Law.
609 and 0 Waltham Street, Approval Not Required (ANR):
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of January 23, 2019
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 5-0, it was voted
to endorse the ANR plan showing the property at 609 and 0 Waltham Street as it does not require
approval under the Subdivision Control Law.
Discussion of Citizen’s Petition to change the Community Preservation Act surtax:
Mr. Hornig, the Planning Board’s representative to the Community Preservation Committee
(CPC), gave a brief overview of this proposed Citizen’s petition for Town Meeting. He said that
he CPC does not support this petition.
He explained that if the tax was reduced, the next five years CPC funding would be going only to
debt service with a very small amount left for new projects. If the Town reduces the tax below
3% we would lose the matching bonus provided by the state and CPC projects would then need to
rely on the general fund.
15-17 Fairland Street, Preliminary Subdivision Plan Review Continued from January 9,
2019:
Ms. Johnson recused herself from this matter. Vice Chair, Mr. Creech, opened the public
information meeting. Mr. John Farrington, attorney, Mr. James Burke and Mr. James DeCelle,
engineers of DeCelle-Burke-Sala & Associates, and Mark Barons, applicant were present. Mr.
DeCelle said they picked up additional lots/land which added depth and allowed them to add two
more house lots.
Planning Board Comments:
What are you doing to improve Fairland Street? Mr. DeCelle said they will improve
Fairland Street from the project site to Eastern Avenue.
Will they now need to request waivers? Mr. Farrington said that it is a determination of
street adequacy rather than a waiver request.
What is difference in the fill needed for the conventional subdivision verses the Balanced
Housing project? The proposed road is the same as the previous 7-lot preliminary plan
and would need approximately 10,000 yards of fill while the balanced housing plan
would need approximately 6,000 yards.
How will the drainage system be maintained? A requirement will be added to the deed.
Mr. Barons, the applicant, will cover the first five years of maintenance. This will ensure
that it is working to full capacity and allow the owners to fill their fund. Since this is a
private way, the applicant will turn the annual maintenance and ownership over to the
property owners. Ownership and maintenance will be written into the deed. The Town
will require a covenant to allow the Town to enter and repair in an emergency and assess
the Homeowners Association for the cost.
Minutes for the Meeting of January 23, 2019 Page 3
Audience Comments:
Is the rest of the road going to be built to town standards? Yes.
The neighbor letter sent to Planning Board was also sent to abutters.
On a motion of Mr. Hornig, seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted, 4-0, to approve plan with the
condition the applicant would show that the improvements to Fairland Street from the site to
Eastern Avenue meet Town standards or waivers requested.
On a motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, it was voted, 4-0, to authorize
the acting Planning Director to sign on behalf of the Board.
17 Fairland Street, continued sketch plan for Balanced Housing Development (BHD):
Ms. Johnson recused herself from this matter and asked Mr. Leon, Associate Planning Board
Member to sit in her place. Vice Chair, Mr. Creech, opened the public information meeting. Mr.
John Farrington, attorney, Mr. James Burke and Jim DeCelle are engineers of DeCelle-Burke-
Sala & Associates, and Mark Barons, applicant were present.
Mr. Farrington said this was a continuation of the January 9 discussion. Mr. Farrington explained
that at the last meeting Board members were concerned that the trail would not meet accessibility
standards. Mr. Burke explained that the proposed trail was not subject to federal and state
standards. The explanation is laid out in landscape architect’s memo submitted to the Board. The
applicant would like to build the trail but does have concerns about a safety and whether
constructing a sidewalk to a crosswalk is feasible. Mr. Farrington said that they will continue to
work with the Engineering Division regarding the drainage system to ensure that the system and
mounding will not negatively impact abutting properties. Maintenance would be paid for by the
Homeowner’s Association with a mandatory fee that would be paid annually by each homeowner
Mr. Barons will cover the first five years so that a capital reserve fund can be created.
Mr. Burke presented information on the drainage system and the ground water for the
development. Mr. Burke said that building the roadway at a 5% slope rather than then 8% slope
would require a substantial amount of fill for the road and for some of the house lots. In addition,
many of the houses would be below the road way. Mr. Burk said that mounding of about 16 feet
would occur under the infiltration system but the mounding drops away quickly.
Individual Board Member comments:
Prefer the BHD as opposed to the conventional development.
Prefer the Public Benefit Development (PBD) with one or two affordable units.
The roadway slope of both 5% or 8% work and the applicant is on the right track with
this proposal.
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of January 23, 2019
The trail for public access is feasible but the safety issues on Lincoln needs to be
satisfied.
The information on mounding and ground water was helpful but concerns still remain.
Affordable units are desirable and/or the number of units reduced.
Funding and responsibility of the drainage system beyond the five years will need careful
documentation so that proper maintenance and repairs are guaranteed.
It is an appealing friendly design.
In the BHD will each house will sit on individual lots? Yes.
185 Lincoln Street is already built and should be considered for an affordable unit.
Public Comment:
Thank you for looking deeply at this project.
Appreciate continue raising the issue of affordable housing.
*************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION****************************
Planning agenda roles for February 12 Planning Board Workshop:
The Planning Board and CPAC will jointly hold a public workshop on February 12 and will be
posted as a public meeting.
The Board discussed how the public workshop will run, the proposed agenda and Board
assignments.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Schedule:
February 6 meeting will be the next meeting 186 Bedford Street public hearing and discussion of
the Planning Board workshop are on the agenda.
Board Member Updates:
The CPC has adopted its proposed warrant articles and Mr. Hornig gave a brief overview.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) made a recommendation for a micro transit-multiple
pick up service pilot program (similar to Uber) and changing the Lexpress routes.
The Center Committee created a how-to flow chart for people who want to start a business in
Lexington. They discussed pop up shops for temporary use of spaces.
The Tree Committee discussed location of species of tree that were recently planted.
On a motion, duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
The meeting was recorded by LexMedia.
Minutes for the Meeting of January 23, 2019 Page 5
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on the Planning Board website in
Planning Board packets.
15-17 Fairland Street BHD
Applicant’s response dated January 16, 2019 (3 pages).
Accessibility Memo from Applicant, dated January 15, 2019 (3 pages).
Sketch Plans Engineering Comments (2 pages).
5% grade for road plans (3 pages).
Engineering Comments regarding stormwater (1 page).
15-17 Fairland Street Preliminary Conventional Plan
Engineering comments amended January 18, 2018 (2 pages).
Citizens Petition for Site Plan review for exempt Uses:
Proposed Citizen petition for site plan review for exempt uses under MGL c.40A s.3 (1
page)
Citizen’s Petition to change the Community Preservation Act Surtax:
Proposed Citizen’s Petition to change the Community Preservation surtax (1 page).
497 Concord Avenue:
Letter requesting to continue the public hearing to February 27 and extend the Planning
Board’s period for review and action for 90 days.
124 Laconia Street:
Form A Application (5 pages).
ANR Plan (1 page).
609 and 0 Waltham Street:
Form A Application (5 pages).
ANR Plan (1 page).
Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Clerk