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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-14-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 2020 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on October 14, 2020, Virtual Meeting per Governor Baker's Order at 6:00 pm Present: Robert Creech, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Ginna Johnson, Clerk; Richard Canale; and Charles Hornig. Also present was Amanda Loomis, Planning Director. Robert Creech, Chair, read the agenda into the record, introduced members of the Planning Board and Planning Department Staff, and called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Mr. Creech read the following statement relative to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Good evening. Consistent with Governor Baker's Executive Order of March 12, 2020, suspending specific provisions of MGL. c. 30A, §18 due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak of COVID-19, this meeting of the Lexington Planning Board is being conducted remotely. In-person attendance is not permitted at this time. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event access cannot be provided, an audio or video recording of this meeting will be available for review on the Town of Lexington website or through LexMedia as soon as possible after the meeting. For this meeting, the Lexington Planning Board is convening by video conference via Zoom. Specific information for remote participation by the public can be found on the Planning Office’s web page. Please note that this meeting is being recorded. At this time, I will provide a brief review of the meeting proceedings. 1. For each public hearing, the Planning Board will request a presentation from the Applicant or petitioner, followed by an opportunity for the Planning Board to ask questions or provide comments. Then the floor will be open for public comments. 2. All comments during public participation need to be limited to 2 minutes or less and must be respectful. 3. When the time comes for public participation, if you are dialing in, you may use *6 to mute or unmute yourself and *9 to raise or lower your hand. 4. If at any time during the meeting you have a question, please use the Q&A feature, and staff will respond. 1. Town Meeting a. Review and reconsideration of Special Town Meeting Articles 16 & 17 Article 16 Charles Hornig provided a brief review of updates and conversations since the public hearings for Article 16. Mr. Hornig presented updates made to the proposed language for Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 14, 2020 Article 16, relative to dimensional standards and sustainability. The proposed amendment included the requirement for structures to meet the standards for LEED Silver. Mr. Creech requested comments from the Planning Board. The following comments were provided.  Richard Canale stated that he did not have any comments.  Robert Peters questioned the metrics for LEED Silver standards and if it evolves. Mr. Hornig provided a review of how LEED standards are updated over time.  Ginna Johnson requested clarification as to what types of structures and types of construction have to comply. Ms. Johnson further questioned why not LEED Gold? Mr. Hornig provided examples of other communities, such as Somerville, and requirements relative to LEED Gold. Ms. Johnson provided input regarding LEED Silver, which is not a high standard. Ms. Johnson requested a need to wait for the public process to ensure consistency with the staff proposal. Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. The following statements were made.  A statement was made that the focus is on the electrification of buildings— further noting attendance at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Mr. Canale stated that Hartwell District Area efforts start tomorrow with the first staff public outreach session. Mr. Canale provided a historical review of efforts relative to Hartwell District Area. Charles Hornig moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve the revised motion for Article 16 to include the sustainability items. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 3-1-1 (Roll Call: Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Richard Canale – abstain; Ginna Johnson – no; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED Article 16, Richard Canale motion to Amend Mr. Creech requested that the Planning Board review the amendment proposed by Mr. Canale. Mr. Canale presented the Article 16 – Richard Canale motion to Amend, which moved that Town Meeting refer Article 16 to the Select Board, the Planning Board, and Town Manager so that a complete rezoning article of the Hartwell district area will be developed and proposed to the 2021 Annual Town Meeting that accomplishes Town goals in a mixed-use development as proposed by Town Staff at the September 2, 2020, joint Select Board/Planning Board/Economic Development Committee meeting. Mr. Canale provided information as to the reason for his amendments. The Planning Board discussed their position regarding a recommendation to Town Meeting. Three Planning Board members decided that their position supporting Article 16 was sufficient. Article 17 Robert Peters recused himself from the discussion. Minutes for the Meeting of October 14, 2020 Page 3 Charles Hornig wanted to know if there were any concerns from the Planning Board regarding the addition of an effective date. The Planning Board did not make any objection, nor did they change their positions. b. Review Town Meeting Articles in preparation for STM-2 and STM-3 Bob Creech, Chair, presented a PowerPoint slide that showed Article 2: Short Term Rental Impact Fee; Article 3: Noise Control; Article: Declare Climate Emergency; Article 6: Surcharge for Community Housing; Article 8: Systemic Racism Resolution. Mr. Creech questioned if the Planning Board members wanted to take a position on any of the identified Articles. Ginna Johnson moved that the Planning Board provided a favorable recommendation to Town Meeting on Article 2: Short Term Rental Impact Fee. Richard Canale seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll Call: Ginna Johnson – yes; Richard Canale – yes; Bob Creech – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Charles Hornig – yes). MOTION PASSED Charles Hornig question if the Planning Board wanted him to present on Article 7. Mr. Hornig provided a review of Article 7. Richard Canale requested clarification as to what was being purchased. Richard Canale supports the purchase of the identified parcel with the identified funding source. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll Call: Richard Canale – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Ginna Johnson – yes; Bob Creech – yes). MOTION PASSED 2. Board Administration a. Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Schedule The Planning Board discussed how members would communicate during Town Meeting. Adjournment Richard Canale moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of October 14, 2020. Robert Peters seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll Call: Richard Canale – yes; Robert Peters – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Bob Creech – yes) MOTION PASSED Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm Ginna Johnson, Clerk of the Planning Board