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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-27-SLC-min Town of Lexington Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of Meeting of October 27, 2020 A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of nine was present. Members Present: Cindy Arens, Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Archana Dayalu, Marcia Gens, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss (chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: None Other Attendees: Stella Carr (Sustainability Director), Joe Pato (Select Board), Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Suzie Barry (Select Board), Mary Hutton (Mothers Out Front), Ricki Pappo (Lexington GWAC), Paul Gromer (Peregrine Energy), Judith Glixon, Lin Jensen, Tina McBride, Susan Foster, Charles Hornig. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm. Todd referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk, and all members responded that they could hear. 1. Previous minutes. The minutes of September 22 and October 20, 2020, circulated previously, were approved as written, with the exception of one correction to the attendance list at the October 20 meeting. 2. Comments from residents; new business. None. 3. Peregrine Energy Group Update. Paul Gromer of Peregrine Energy presented a brief summary of the final version of the energy inventory report. Several changes were made based on discussion at our September meeting: the report excludes from town energy use an estimate of the energy used at the two large federal facilities in town (Hanscom and Lincoln Labs), the data was upgraded with current assessor's office data, and the emissions factor used to calculate CO2 emissions from natural gas was modified to reflect gas leaks as well as gas combustion. Paul G. took questions and comments from the committee, as a result of which he agreed to make two additional changes: to break out the contribution of Class I RECs (which is about to change for the 100% Green default option), and to look at per capita(and perhaps square footage) energy use. He expects to deliver a final report by week's end. 4. Sustainability Director's Report. Stella gave a quick recap of the major points in her written report. She is working to identify projects from the Getting to Net Zero report requiring funding that can tap the funds remaining from Town Meeting's appropriation; the DPU letter is now ready to go to the Select Board;public meetings for the Hartwell Avenue Rezoning Initiative are beginning; she is recommending that(1)the Climate 1. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 27, 2020 Emergency warrant article, passed by Town Meeting, should be followed up with the creation of a task force to identify and advocate for specific measures; and (2)the SAP should be modified with the addition of a community engagement piece and integrated with racial equity initiatives. She has worked with Dan to clarify the respective roles of the Director and the Committee in taking recommendations to the Select Board, and to explore the need for additional strategic planning. Several committee members endorsed the idea of a task force to follow up the Climate Emergency declaration. Celis asked if the declaration triggers any specific emergency procedures, which Joe answered in the negative. Stella mentioned and recommended the online Equity Foundations training she is taking, hosted by the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. 5. Proposed Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Bylaw. Judith Glixon, on behalf of the Noise Advisory Committee (she is a regular attendee but not an official member) explained the committee's proposal to limit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) in Lexington, and asked for our feedback and support. They will be presenting their proposal to the Select Board at the end of November in anticipation of an article on the spring ATM warrant. She gave a brief presentation on the noise and emissions impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, noting that many communities have limited or prohibited their use. The committee proposes to limit their use to 31/2 months during spring and fall clean-up and to specific hours and days within those windows, and to put a cap on the noise level. Committee feedback was largely positive. Rick noted that the town has been a leader in the adoption of electric landscaping equipment and has been proselytizing to other towns. Archana noted that 4-7 million people die every year worldwide from poor air quality. Several people expressed concern for the workers using this equipment, who suffer the most, and who tend to come from poorer communities, making this an environmental justice and equity issue; Celis also expressed concern for the financial impact on these workers and suggested the possibility of a pilot project with feedback. Todd thanked Judith for the presentation, noted the feedback for her, and said the committee looks forward to hearing more as Town Meeting approaches. A quick poll of the committee's sentiment yielded 6 in favor, none opposed, with two abstentions. 6. Article 16 Hartwell Zoning Warrant Article discussion. Charles Hornig presented his Article 16 Citizens' Petition for rezoning of Hartwell Avenue. Its main purpose is to increase allowable density to permit and attract redevelopment, with the target being life sciences buildings. Charles walked the committee through many of the details. Planning staff has said the article is consistent with the Hartwell Avenue rezoning initiative and the more comprehensive proposal it plans to bring to Town Meeting in the spring, and the Planning Board is supportive. A long discussion with committee members ensued, with the focus on committee members' desire to see additional sustainability standards in return for the proposal's greater density limits, particularly regarding HVAC fuel use. Charles explained that he inserted a LEED Silver certification requirement but was opposed to an all-electric requirement as impractical for lab buildings to achieve. In light of the Attorney General's ruling on the Brookline gas ban, there is agreement that fuel use regulation must be achieved through incentives rather than an outright ban. 2. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 27, 2020 A number of visitors as well as committee members expressed their perspectives and concerns. The main issues were the desire to reduce fossil fuel combustion and compel greater use of electricity in building operations, concern about relaxing development limits now but relying on further Town Meeting action in the spring to impose desired sustainability standards, and what needs to be in the zoning by-law and what can be achieved through regulations and the site plan review process. The Planning Board is meeting the following night, at which time the language for Town Meeting is expected to be locked in; Charles offered that if he could reach a compromise with the opponents before then, he was open to amending the language, but would not alter it otherwise. After further debate, it was moved, seconded and voted to express the committee's support of Article 16 "if amended to include a requirement for all-electric HVAC systems for buildings over six stories and if the Planning Board and staff work with Sustainable Lexington and the public to consider other zoning amendments and/or to amend regulations to achieve additional sustainability goals and to achieve high performance buildings in the CM district." The vote was seven in favor, none opposed, with two abstentions. 7. Article 7 Land Acquisition "Ashley property" 39 Highland Avenue discussion. Charlie presented the Conservation Commission's proposed purchase of 41/2 acres on Highland Avenue adjacent to the Upper Vine Brook conservation area that will be coming before Town Meeting under Article 7 of Special Town Meeting 2020-3 on November 9. It was noted that Celis recuses himself from the committee's consideration of this matter, as he is an abutter. Charlie and Marcia presented a proposed statement of support, which the committee adopted by an 8-0 vote. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee will be on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at 6 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 3.