HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-10-RPC-min
PLANNING BOARD RESIDENTIAL POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 10, 2015 MEETING
A meeting of the Lexington Planning Board Residential Policy Committee, held in the Reed
Room at the Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Members present: Richard Canale, Jeri Foutter, Tom Harden, and Ginna Johnson.
The following members of the public also participated per sign-in sheet.
Minutes
for 8/25, 9/8, 10/15 and 10/28 were approved and copies distributed prior to posting on
the website.
next meeting
The is scheduled for Tuesday before Thanksgiving – 11/24.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Discussion on the proposed FAR restriction among RPC members, residents and Ms. Johnson
read a statement from Mr. Leon. Discussion covered large houses on small lots and using the
appropriate Gross Floor Area (GFA) numbers. Questions raised on the integrity/veracity of the
database source or the assessor’s database. Consensus on GAF definition – use the same
definition in current bylaws.
Ms. Foutter shared copies of the results of Concord’s Mansionization Study and research done by
a Concord summer intern on Height Definition and Gross Floor Area Definiton across several
neighboring towns.
Mr. Cataldo, a member of the FAR working group, indicated that there are varying points of view
on the specific FAR to use. In addition, Mr. Cataldo indicated that 50% of the houses he has built
have incorrect numbers in the database.
Mr. Furman indicated that large homes on small lots impact the character of the neighborhood.
Thought FAR proposal should be a balanced plan with reasonable/constrained development, with
particular attention to small lots.
Mr. Canale indicated that the RPC proposal is a good principle and we are trying to find a
reasonable set of numbers, possibly set-back and height are better measures than FAR and
suggested we look at setback, if we don’t have a FAR.
The RPC members voted to have Mr. Harden refine FAR proposal and present to the Planning
Board/RPC.
Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs)
Mr. Canale and Ms. Zimmerman provided copies and discussed the proposed NCD Bylaw.
Tree Bylaw
Ms. Johnson indicated that the Tree Bylaw will be discussed at the Tree Committee at the DPW
next Thursday.
Page 2 June 9, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Height Proposal
Discussion of the temporary reduction to 34/36 feet height limits on non-conforming lots based
on side set-backs, from present 40 foot limit.
Massachusetts 40R & 40S
Ms. Foutter distributed copies of the following and discussed 40R & 40S - Chapter 40R
encourages cities and towns to zone for compact residential and mixed use development in “smart
growth” locations by offering financial incentives and control over design.
http://www.mapc.org/sites/default/files/Chapter_40R_Report.pdf
http://www.concordsqdev.com/pdfs/050522_CHTF_School_Funding.pdf
http://www.mass.gov/hed/docs/dhcd/cd/ch40r/760-cmr-59.pdf
Ms. Cocoran-Ronchetti indicated that the deadline for articles is the end of December.
Meeting adjourned at 10:25 PM
Clerk pro temp:
Jeri Foutter