HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-22 SB Packet - Released SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 22, 2021
Conducted by Remote Participation*
6:00 PM
AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Water and Sewer Commitments and Adjustments
2. Letter of Support Regarding Bill HD.1263:An Act to Amend the Definition of Hate
Crime
3. Select Board Committee Resignations
4. Appointment of Town Counsel
5. Lexington Council for the Arts Request- Go Out Doors II
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Reserve Fund Transfer Request for Peer Review Map for FEMA Letter of Map 6:00pm
Revision(LOMR)
2. 2021 Annual Town Meeting-Article Discussion/Positions/Select Board Report 6:05pm
ADJOURN
1. Anticipated Adjournment 6:45pm
*as per Executive Order regarding remote participation:https://www.mass.gov/doc/open-meeting-
law-order-march-12-2020/download
Members of the public can view the meeting webinar from their computer or tablet by
clicking on the following link at the time of the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/92589228666?pwd=enilMY3djdEdRaI VueFN4c3g4Y21Xdz09
iPhone one-tap:
+13017158592„92589228666# or+13126266799„92589228666#
Telephone:+1 301 715 8592 or+1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID:925 8922 8666
Passcode: 212250
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Select Board will be held by remote participation on
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 6:00pm.
Hearing Assistance Devices Available on Request
All agenda time and the order of items are approximate and
subject to change. Lege-la
Recorded by LexMedia
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Water and Sewer Commitments and Adjustments
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Doug Lucente, Select Board Chair
C.1
SUMMARY:
Water and Sewer Adjustments ( $ 40,523.49)
Water and Sewer Reversal Oct Finals ($ 33,381.59)
Water and Sewer Reversal Dec Finals ( $ 7,499.68)
Water and Sewer Nov Finals $ 10,644.64
Water and Sewer F eb ruary Finals $ 6,679.32
Water and Sewer Adj August Finals $ 4,299.38
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve the above Water and Sewer Commitments and Adjustments as proposed
FOLLOW-UP:
Treasurer/Collector
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
D WSAB2 V�211 Bzwkup Moenzd
D Oct finals reven.il llulup Ma te6,al
D Dec,reversal 113aackupr Mate6al
D Nov Fhiak 113,wkup Ma[enal
D Feb fimals BOCkup Matetial
D AugActj Lkickup Malunal
177S FY2021
ADJUSTMENTS TO WATER/SEWER
yTW AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WATER AND SEWER ABATEMENT BOARD
PAGE 1 OF 2
AMlifr
WSAB FEBRUARY 10,2021 SB MARCH 22,2021
.0300674100 7 PATTERSON ROAD_ $ (14.42) $ (65.24) $ (79.66)_ 994839 2020 TOILET LEAK
0100074500 10 BARTLETT AVE $ (34818) $ (1,14156) $ jjjLl,74j 980120 2020 TOILET LEAK ........FT IF."
77
_T5,(LOQ _§OpMARRETT ROAD (857.22) 997440 2020 TOILET LEAK
0300830700 6 DEMAR ROAD _L 107 161A 336401 44 5�j TOILET LEAK
G301021000 507 BEDFORD STREET $ (114.76) $ 356.87) $ (471.63) 999026 2020 TOILET LEAK
0200353200 261 WALTHAM STREET $ (46648) $ (1,545 17)_L 2.01 1� 984500 2020 TOILET LEAK ........
939073_7600 LD EL 7 995667 2020 TOILETLEAK
R PONE KNOLL ROAD jE__ _ -___. � —
_L__ _§ (2,92282) (3,794�O )
0300848600 20 BIRCH HILL LANE $ (80.60) $ (24825) $ (328.75) 997085 2020 TOILET LEAK
0300726200 449 BEDFORD STREET $ (16884) $ (547.58) $ (716.42) 995545 2020 TOILET LEAK
0300979200 561 CONCORD AVE $ .....L97.491_I ......308.26 B719 _202 OILET LEAK
0300873700 45.6 MARR-E-T.T.-ROAD _§ LI 1 $_70 22 (543.21) $ (713.43) 997423 201912020 TOILET LEAK
0300758200 156 REED STREET $ (57.25 $ (24815) 305.50 995942 2019/2020 BROKEN METER
0200979000 8 TIDD CIRCLE $ (688.45) $ (2,283.00). $ (2,971.45) 988269 2020 BROKENWATERHEATER
0300901200 37 WACHUSETT DRIVE- $ ...........J210,12 391)I_.$...........J6 . 4__ ......14L Q1 MULTI LEAKS
0300674400 15 PATTERSON ROAD $ (290.59) $ (952.49) $ (1,243.08) 9941344 2019 BATH/SHOWER LEAK
0200569200 56 MERIAM STREET 2�4 24 987496 2020 BROKEN AC UNIT__ L _22�j_4--
.Q300890402 6 FAIR OAKS DRIVE $ _I 485031 997650 2020 IRRIGATION LEAK
0300988802 15 HOBBS BROOK LANE $ (15.99) $ $ (15.99) 998844 2020 BROKEN IRRIGATION VALVE
0100087602 21 WINCHESTER DRIVE $ (447.72) $ $ 447.72 980286 2020 BROKEN HOSE
0200396402 7 DEE ROAD $ 119721 ,$_....__.........__...........=_._ 1 1) 985073 2020 IRRIGATION LEAK
0300913300 96 OUTLOOK DRIVE $ 48.53 $ (1,849.47) $ (1,800.94) 9979711 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0300754600 79 REED STREET $ 48.42 $ (236.68) $ 188.26 9958951 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0300681400 70 PAUL REVERE ROAD $ 613.23 A ......(132 4938..... IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0300929100 15 WOODCLIFFE ROAD $ 56.97 $ (735.35) $ (678.38) 998183 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0301003200 5 ROYAL.CIRCLE $ 12,66 641 $ 977.88 998942 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
IRRIGATION
0300824500 4 TURNING MILL ROAD $ 50.64 $ (326B4) $ (276.00) 9967741 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0300737400 5 PINE KNOLL ROAD $ 46A2 $ 299A2 $ (253.00) 995665 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
0200433400 5 WHITTIER $ (214,78) $ (608,421_i 23.201.. 95562, 2020,fSTIMATF ADJUSTMENT_,__,_,___
0300783800 14 FIFER LANE $ 87,14) $ (21733)1_§ ......J304,971 996268 2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
0300884900 52 CARY AVE —_§......j265.901_L_ (534,01) $ (739.91 .997568 2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT-...--------
LwnO8 W13 21700 30 DEWEY ROAD $ QI)l $ (894,91)[L JL 21_ 11 996736E-2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMADJUSTMENT ----------
_
1775 FY2021
ADJUSTMENTS TO WATER/SEWER
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WATER AND SEWER ABATEMENT BOARD
PAGE 1 OF 2
WSAB FEBRUARY 10,2021 SB MARCH 22,2021
0300910800 34 OUTLOOK DRIVE $ (163.36) $ (454.78). $ (618.14) ........9979235 2024 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
0200988200 102 MANOR TERRACE-__ $ 23.1a $ (479,14) $ 988299 2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
_L _._. (702.27)
0200983000 425 WOBURN STREET BLDG_j 322.081 $ (711.96 Lu 88292 2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
............
0300702100 26 HOMESTEAD STREET $ (44.13) $ 93.96) $ (138,09) 9952181 2020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
0300988100 1 HOBBS BROOK LANE $ (10164) $ (287.10)_§ ........388.741 ......998829—-----1020 ESTIMATE ADJUSTMENT
0101014200 205 MARRETT ROAD _ $ (868.79) $ (2,927.48) $ (3,79627)1 983619 2020 TOILET LEAK
0200472600 65 SOLOMON PIERCE _E,1.4�0 $ 6.300, (6,216,24) 986108 2020 IRRIGATION ON DOMESTIC
.............
0200307402 1429 MASSACHUSETTS AVE $ i $ 983813 2020 INTERST ONLY
0300800600 3 MARVIN STREET $ $ $ 996444 2020 INTEREST ONLY
0300933000 26 NORMANDY ROAD $ $ $ 998251 2020 INTEREST ONLY
........ ....-------- -------------
0300933002 26 NORMANDY ROAD $ $ 9982521 2020 INTEREST ONLY
01000B0100 3 PATRICIA TERRACE $ $ $ 980189 2020 INTEREST ONLY
$ (7,740.05) $ (32,783.44) ($40,523.49)
It is the recommendation of the Water and Sewer Abatement Board that the Town Collector be authorized to waive interest that has accrued on
the bills included herein,unless stated here otherwise,from the due date of the bill until 30 calendar days after the date of written notification to
applicant of the Selectmen's action.
.......................
THE SUM SET AGAINST THE ABOVE ACCOUNTS IS HEREBY ADJUSTED.
WATER SEWER TOTAL
($7,740.05) ($32,783.44) ($40,523.49)
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SELECT BOARD MARCH 22, 2021
Department of Public Works
Town of Lexington
177S
`gip a"iE
Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds
FISCAL YEAR 2021
FINALS GRAND TOTAL$
FEBRUARY 2021
WATER $ 4,388.89 $4,388.89
SEWER $ 2,290.43 $2,290.43
TOTAL: $6,679.32 $6,679.32
To the Collector of Revenue for the Town of Lexington:
You are hereby authorized and required to levy and collect of the persons named
in the list of water/sewer charges herewith committed to you and each one of his/her
respective portion herein set down of the sum total of such list. Said sum being:
Six thousandsix hundredseventy nine 321100
And pay the same into the treasury of the Town of Lexington
and to exercise the powers conferred by law in regard thereto.
DIRECTOVOIF PUBLIC WORKS SELECTBOARD MARCH 22, 2021
Treasurer/Collector, Director of Public Works, Water/Sewer Billing
Department of Public Works
Town of Lexington
Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds
0
FISCAL YEAR 2021
FINALS GRAND TOTALS
AUGUST 2020
ADJUSTMENT
PREY. APPROVED AMOUNT $34,678.61 $34,678.61
ACTUAL AUGUST AMOUNT $38,977.99 $38,977.99
TOTAL ADJUSTMENT: $4,299.38 $4,299.38
To the Collector of Revenue for the Town of Lexington:
You are hereby authorized and required to levy and collect of the persons named
in the list of water/sewer charges herewith committed to you and each one of his/her
respective portion herein set down of the sum total of such list. Said sum being:
Four thousandtwo hundredninety nine 381100
And pay the some into the treasury of the Town of Lexington
and to exercise the powers conferred by low in regard thereto.
3 , [b°Dq
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SELECTBOARD MARCH 22, 2021
Treasurer/Col lector, Director of Public Works,Water/Sewer Billing
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Letter of Support Regarding Bill HD.1263: An Act to Amend the Definition of Hate Crime
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Doug Lucente, Select Board Chair
C.2
SUMMARY:
The Board is being asked to approve and send a letter to Senators Friedman and Barrett and Representative
Ciccolo, which indicates Lexington's support of HD 1263 and SD 721,An Act to Amend the Definition of
Hate Crime, and also requests the State support of the bill.
Note: The Human Rights committee voted unanimously at its meeting on 3111121 to send a letter of support
to our state house delegation asking for support. Their vote included sending the letter in whatever form the
Select Board opted.
HD 1263 and SD 721:
Paragraph (a) of Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 official edition,
is hereby amended by replacing the words "of a person" in Line 2 with the words "of another" and
replacing the words "such person" in Line 3 with the words "a person."
Paragraph (a) of said Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 official
edition, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph: "If restitution is ordered under the
provisions of this section for purposes of repairing the damage done to the real or personal property with
intent to intimidate a person because of such person's race, color, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or disability, such restitution shall be used to repair the damage done to the
property "
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve and send a letter to Senators Friedman and Barrett and Representative Ciccolo, which indicates
Lexington's support of HD 1263 and SD 721, Act to Amend the Definition of Hate Crime, and also requests
the State support of the bill.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Draft t.A,i erof`upt,,)o t P.:kia°kup lVTate6al
0
EoWn of lexin ton,g Al000cfju!5ettg
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
DOUGLAS M.LUCENTE,CHAIR
JOSEPH N.PATO
SUZANNE E.BARRY
JILL I.HAI TEL: (781)698-4580
MARK D.SANDEEN FAX: (781)863-9468
March 22,2021
Senator Cindy Friedman
Senator Mike Barrett
Representative Ciccolo
Via email
RE: HD.1263 and SD.721, An Act to Amend the Definition of Hate Crime
Dear Senators Friedman and Barrett and Representative Ciccolo,
The Lexington Select Board writes to request your support for SD.721 and HD.1263,which would amend the current
statutory definition of hate crime in Paragraph(a) of Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the General Laws. The proposal
would fix a gap in the current statute,which provides that a person can be charged with a hate crime for damaging
property only if the victim they intend to intimidate owns the property damaged. SD.721 and HD.1263 will address
this gap by decoupling the hate crime victim and the damaged property. It will provide for criminalization of damage
occurring to the property of another with intent to intimidate,without regard to ownership of the property damaged.
Currently,the statute does not apply if damage is done to either rental property or an adjacent fixture or structure with
the intent to intimidate.
Both the Lexington Select Board and the Lexington Human Rights Committee fully support this amendment's
clarification and the elimination of the gap in the current statute. The Select Board extends its thanks for your ongoing
work on behalf of our community and respectfully requests your support of this important amendment.
Sincerely,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M.Lucente,Chair Joseph N.Pato
Suzanne E.Barry Jill I.Hai
Mark D. Sandeen
cc: Lexington Human Rights Committee
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE• LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420
e-mail selectboard@lexingtonma.gov
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Select Board Committee Resignations
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Doug Lucente, Select Board Chair
C.3
SUMMARY:
Resignations
Town Celebrations Committee
• The Select Board is being asked to accept the resignation of Karen Gaughan from the Town
Celebrations Committee effective immediately.
Sustainable Lexington Committee
. The Select Board is being asked to accept the resignation of Marcia Gens from the Sustainable
Lexington Committee effective April 1, 2021.
On behalf of the Town of Lexington, the Select Board Members would like to extend their many thanks to Ms.
Gaughan and Ms. Gens for their time and many years of service to the community.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To accept the resignation of Karen Gaughan from the Town Celebrations Committee effective immediately.
To accept the resignation of Marcia Gens from the Sustainable Lexington Committee effective April 1, 2021.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
D Ros�gnation ILklter IC(hughan Backup malemd
D Res ugrmn ion ILetten M Uu,nn Il3sna kup malemd
DouulasM8. Lucu'te
Town Office Bui|ding,, 2"" Floor
|625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, M/\ 0242O
March | l' 2O2|
Dear Doug,
l regret to inform you that l am resigning from the Town Celebrations Committee effective immediately.
Due to my health, l can no longer fulfill my responsibilities iothe committee and to the town. For nver4O
years, [ have had the pleasure of working with some dedicated citizens of this town and wish them the
best �oingforward.
Sincerely,
'
L � .
^
Karen Gaughan
6O3 Lowell Street#28
Lcxin�tou, MA 02420
From: Select Board
To: Stacey Prizio
Subject: FW: Web contact form submission
Date: Tuesday,March 16,2021 4:56:49 PM
From: Marcia Gens via Town of Lexington MA [mailto:crosmailer@civicplus.com]
Sent:Tuesday, March 16, 20214:47 PM
To: Select Board <selectboard@lexingtonma.gov>
Subject: Web contact form submission
Submitted on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 - 4:47pm
Submitted values are:
Name: Marcia Gens
Email:
Question or comment:
To the Select Board,
I am writing to let the you know that I will be resigning from the Sustainable Lexington
Committee as of April 1 st. I look forward to attending meetings as a community member who
is interested in the environment and climate change, however I feel there are others in our
community who can offer a more specific set of skills and expertise in service of advising the
SB. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve and, more importantly for the incredible
amount of work each of you do on behalf of Lexington. It is hard to imagine a more
committed and community minded group.
Best regards,
Marcia Gens
Sustainable Lexington Committee
Attach a file (optional):
The results of this submission may be viewed at:
htti2s://www.lexingtonma.gov/node/86313/submission/174596
0
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Appointment of Town Counsel
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Doug Lucente, Select Board Chair
C.4
SUMMARY:
The Select Board shall each year, within thirty days after the annual election of Town officers appoint some
attorney-at-law as Town Counsel, who shall serve for the term of one year.
Town Counsel's appointment is for a one year term. In 2020, the Town reviewed Town Counsel's services in
detail and issued an RFP and selected Anderson Krieger as Town Counsel.
The Board is being asked to reappoint Anderson& Kreiger as the Town of Lexington's Town Counsel
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To re-appoint Anderson& Kreiger, LLP as Town Counsel for the Town of Lexington for a one year term to
expire March 31, 2022.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Lexington Council for the Arts Request - Go Out Doors II
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Doug Lucente, Select Board Chair
C.5
SUMMARY:
Attached letter of request from Lexington Council for the Arts (LCA) for a project: "Go Out Doors II"
Go Out Doors II will reinstall the original four doors (from the 2020 Go Out Doors project) and will add four new
doors to the exhibit. It is planned to group all eight doors at a new site near the Farmers' Market location along the
Bikeway between Cary Hall and Fletcher Street. It is possible that the project will expand even further to a second
site along the Bikeway TBD, ideally somewhere in East Lexington.
The doors are targeted be installed sometime in May 2021 and will remain in place throughout the summer.
LCA requests Select Board approval to move ahead with the project as outlined. Additionally, LCA seeks
installation assistance from the DPW for this project.
Dave Pinsonneault, DP W Director has indicated no concerns with installing this outdoor artwork.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve the installation of the Go Out Doors II art installation as proposed in the attached 3-10-21 memo
from the Lexington Counsel on the Arts.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
➢2(,cgu e,4 Gnxnnd K) Arts Qc Out Doors fl flo Sc4e fl Board 11.3la,kup Mzft4 nzd
r1lexington Council for the Arts
"Go Out Doors II" Public Art Project
Request for Authorization to Town of Lexington Select Board
Submitted By: Steve Poltorzycki &Jillian Tung (Co-Chairs, LCA)
March 10, 2020
Proposed project:
• "Go Out Doors II"is an expansion of a public art project ("Go Out Doors I) installed along
the Minuteman Bikeway between the Visitor's Center and Hancock Street. Sponsored by the
Lexington Council for the Arts, the show ran from mid-October 2020 to mid-December 2020.
Local artists were commissioned to paint four old doors with artistic designs, which were then
installed in a manner allowing for socially-distanced viewing. The show was very well
received by the community and visitors to the town.
• Photos of the pieces in Go Out Doors I:
o ,.
77
ro
r
• Go Out Doors II will reinstall the original four doors and will add four new doors to the
exhibit. It is planned to group all eight doors at a new site near the Farmers' Market location
along the Bikeway between Cary Hall and Fletcher Street. It is possible that the project will
expand even further to a second site along the Bikeway TBD, ideally somewhere in East
Lexington.
• This project will dovetail with similar projects in Concord(https:Htheumbrellaarts.or /ag rts
environment/go-out-doors) and Arlington. An installation in Lexington will serve as a bridge
between Concord and Arlington in creating a region-wide public art project that will enrich the
cultural lives of residents and promote tourism and economic development. Doors in Concord
were installed along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (a local bikeway) and the Concord Visitor's
Center. Doors in Arlington were installed at the Arlington Visitor's Center and other locations.
• The doors will be installed sometime in May 2021 and will remain in place throughout the
summer.
• At the close of the show, the doors will be auctioned off, with part of the proceeds shared with
the artists and the remainder used to fund future public art projects.
Purpose: This project will bring a spark of art and culture into the lives of our residents,promote
tourism and economic development, and add to the enjoyment of users of the Bikeway. Members
of our community who are eager to experience visual art firsthand,yet who are reluctant to
venture into the closed space of a museum, will appreciate the opportunity to partake of art in an
outdoor environment. This project will also support local artists, whose ability to show work has
been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Artists will be asked to consider the theme of
"celebrating nature, our senses and outdoor activity."
Collaboration opportunity: Concord and Arlington already have or are planning to have similar
"Go Out Doors" installations, featuring the respective Visitor's Centers and Bikeway locations.
This project will present an opportunity to collaborate with Concord, Arlington, and possibly other
nearby towns in a region-wide art project. Concord has expressed an interest in engaging in cross
promotion with other towns undertaking "Go Out Doors," and indications are that Arlington will be
interested in this as well.
Safety and community considerations: The Tourism Committee (per Dawn McKenna, Chair)
voted unanimously to endorse the project and will send a note of support directly to the Select
Board. The Historic District Commission (per Anne Eccles, Chair) is supportive of the project, on
the condition that it will be a temporary installation. The Bikeway Advisory Committee(per Kevin
Falcone, Chair) is supportive of the project and a letter of support will be forwarded to the Select
Board under separate cover. The Lexington Police Department (per Captain Mike McLean) has
cleared the project on the condition that the doors will be installed at least six feet from the
Bikeway.
Funding and implementation: The Lexington Council for the Arts will dedicate part of its budget
to fully fund the project. The Lexington Council for the Arts, with assistance from Cristina Burwell
at the Munroe Center for the Arts, will implement the project.
Additional project expansion: The Lexington Council for the Arts is also seeking to commission
LHS students to paint several doors for an installation at a suitable location to be determined near
the High School. Select Board action is not requested at this time for the LHS project.
Select Board Action Requested
• LCA requests that the Select Board approve moving ahead with the project(given that the
Select Board has jurisdiction over the Bikeway).
• LCA requests that the Select Board ask the Town Manager to arrange for DPW to provide
installation assistance with the project.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Reserve Fund Transfer Request for Peer Review Map for FEMA Letter of Map Revision
(LOMR)
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Jim Malloy, Town Manager
I.1
SUMMARY:
Attached please find a reserve fund transfer request from the Conservation Department with support from our
Engineering Department. The Conservation Department is seeking a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of
$15,000 to pay the cost of a peer review of work that is being done at a former landfill in the Town of Belmont,
which is further explained in the attached memorandum from Karen Mullins.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021 6:00pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
a5�°a°f he
Town of Lexington m
Y.
iRG'r'cr� ,
TO: Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
SUBJECT: Request for Transfer from the Reserve Fund
Request is hereby made for the following transfer from the Reserve Fund in accordance with M.G.
L. Chapter 40, Section 6.
1. Amount requested: $15,000.00
2. To be transferred to:
Conservation - Professional Services 11171002-530000
Account Name Account Number
3. Explanation for purpose and reasons why the expenditure is extraordinary
and/or unforeseen.
See attached memo from Conservation Director requesting funding to respond
to a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) from the Town of Belmont.
Department Head
Action of Select Board:
Date
Requested Not-Requested
Chair, Select Board
Action of Appropriation Committee:
Date
Approved Disapproved
Transfer voted in the sum of: $15,000.00
Chair, Appropriation Committee
Reserve Fund Transfer- Conservation LOMR
`OVS MOO?
O� 1775 tiC
T
Q D
APRIL I9"'
�FXING'CO�
MEMORANDUM
TO: Appropriation Committee
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance
CC: James Malloy, Town Manager
FROM: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director
DATE: March 16, 2021
SUBJECT: Reserve Fund Transfer Request for Peer Review Services
Town of Belmont Request for FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
Recently, Lexington learned that the Town of Belmont submitted a Request for a Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR) to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) in support of the Town of Belmont's closure of the Concord
Avenue Landfill and potential re-development of the property at 1034 Concord Avenue,
Belmont, Massachusetts. The purpose of the LOMR is to revise the floodplain elevations in the
vicinity of the Concord Avenue Landfill that is being capped and closed per Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Since some of the mapping included in the
LOMR extends into Lexington and Lexington is affected by the changes, Lexington is required
to approve of any changes by signing the Community Acknowledgement Form.
For reference, I am enclosing a USGS Site Locus Map (Figure 1 from the LOMR Report) and
the existing FEMA National Flood Hazard FIRMette showing the Site and surrounding area
falling in a Zone A Special Flood Hazard Area without a designated Base Flood Elevation. The
LOMR will change the FIRM by designating a Base Flood Elevation in this area.
Due to the complexity of the detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses in support of the LOMR
and the potential for Lexington to be adversely impacted by any change to FEMA's flood
insurance mapping, it is in the best interest of Lexington to engage a peer review to conduct a
comprehensive review of the LOMR with supporting analyses submittal before approving the
Community Acknowledgement Form. Therefore, I am requesting a reserve fund transfer in the
amount of$15,000 for the purpose of engaging the Town's consultant, Woodard& Curran, to
provide these unanticipated peer review services.
Thank you in advance for considering this reserve fund transfer request for these unanticipated
peer review services.
1,r'� 1:� zv
77
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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
2021 Annual Town Meeting- Article Discussion/Positions/Select Board Report
PRESENTER: ITEM
NUMBER:
Board Discussion
L2
SUMMARY:
The Planning Board reports for Article 44 and 45 are attached.
The motion for Article 33 has been revised upon recommendation of the Tree Committee. They vote to
recommend to IP ARticle 33, motion 2.
The EDAC has updated their recommendations for Articles 36, 44, and 45- attached.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to Indefinitely postpone Article 33, motion 2 for Annual Town Meeting, March 22, 2021.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/22/2021 6:05pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
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N
SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
t
APRlt,
REPORT TO THE
2021 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Select Board:
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair,Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair,
Joseph N. Pato, Suzanne E. Barry, Mark D. Sandeen
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Year of Unprecedented Challenges Page 2
Budgetary Concerns and Stresses Page 2
Social Racial Equity Initiatives Page 3
Center Streetscape Update Page 4
Municipal & School Building Projects Page 5
Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD)
Referral to the Select Board Page 7
Update on recent Home Rule Petitions Page 8
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Page 9
March 2021
Message from the Select Board
The Select Board has prepared this written report to Annual Town Meeting 2021 under Article 2.
This report contains an update to Town Meeting on the status of several topics the Board felt
would be of interest to Town Meeting Members. These topics include: A COVID-19 update, an
overview of Fiscal issues raised this past year, how the Board is moving forward with Social
Racial Equity Initiatives, the current status of the Center Streetscape Project, an update on
Municipal and School Building Projects, an update on Article 42-Special Permit Residential
Development zoning that was referred back to the Board at Annual Town Meeting 2018, status of
recent actions at Town Meeting regarding Home Rule Petitions and the progress on the
Semiquincentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lexington coming in 2025.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, the Board encourages you to
get in touch with any member of the Board via email (below) or by calling the Select Board Office
(781-698-4580) to schedule a phone meeting. Due to the restrictions surrounding COIVD-19 all
five members of the Board have suspended there in person regularly scheduled office hours in
the Select Board Office at Town Office Building.
• Doug Lucente, Chair: dlucente@lexin tog nma.gov
• Jill Hai, Vice-Chair: ljhai@lexingtonma.gov
• Joe Pato: jpato@lexin tonma.gov
• Suzie Barry: sbarry@lexin tog nma.gov
• Mark Sandeen: msandeen@lexin tog nma.gov
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair
Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair
Joseph N. Pato
Suzanne E. Barry
Mark D. Sandeen
1
Year of Unprecedented Challenges
Between a global pandemic, economic crisis, and emphatic calls to address systemic racism, this
past year was a year of unprecedented challenges for the Town of Lexington and the Select Board.
In March 2020, business as usual changed quickly. The Board's focus quickly shifted to
responding to the pandemic. The State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak
of COVID-19 forced changes to all municipal business practices. In an effort to help struggling
residents, the Board voted to extend second quarter property tax due dates. The Select Board, in
conjunction with the Town Moderator, pushed back the date for the March 2020 Annual Town
Meeting while alternatives were contemplated on how to proceed. All public meetings were
transitioned to a virtual format accessible by the public using the application Zoom so the Town
could continue to operate our municipality while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Since
March of 2020,all in person Town events have been canceled and many events moved to an online
virtual platform. In June of 2020 we were able to successfully hold the first virtual Annual Town
Meeting in the Commonwealth due to the efforts of the Town Moderator Deborah Brown, Town
Counsel Mina Makarious,Select Board Chair Doug Lucente,Select Board Member Joe Pato,Town
Manager Jim Malloy, Deputy Town Manager Kelly Axtell, Management Fellow Kat Labrecque,
Lexington's State Representative Michelle Ciccolo, Town Clerk Nadie Rice and many members
of the municipal staff. Following on that success we held two virtual Special Town Meetings in
October/November 2020 enabling Town government to continue functioning on a close to pre-
pandemic timeline. This past year has been quite different in terms of look and feel and the
challenges have been great and we are grateful to the entire municipal staff for continuing to
adjust to deliver quality and creative services across the board to our residents. We would be
remiss if we didn't make special mention of the tireless work of the front line staff involved in
COVID-19 related efforts and also acknowledge the over 1000 residents that have been diagnosed
with COVID-19 including the fifty six deaths (88% associated with long-term care facilities); may
their memory being a blessing to those they left behind and may we as a community continue to
work together to address the challenges of the pandemic.
Budgetary Concerns and Stresses
Ongoing budgetary concerns:
The Select Board is committed to avoiding an operating budget tax override. However,managing
operating expenses to align with revenue growth is becoming increasingly challenging and may
require realigning the municipal, school, and shared expense budgets in future years.
For the past decade, the School Department budget - largely driven by enrollment growth and
regulatory requirements-has grown at a faster rate than have Town revenues.The FY2022 School
Department operating budget needs are proposed to be met using non-recurring revenues drawn
from the Free Cash account and a $500,000 transfer from the Special Education (SPED)
Stabilization Fund. Use of these funds for FY2022 will make closing budget shortfalls in future
years that much more difficult.
2
Extraordinary concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Many residents have asked about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the town budget.
Despite the constantly changing landscape the Town ended fiscal 2020 in a strong financial
position and has remained stable throughout fiscal 2021.
Lexington has continued to see healthy real-estate tax collections. As in previous economic
downturns collection rates were minimally affected and, in the past, they bounced back quickly.
Property tax collections would most likely be compromised in a protracted commercial downturn
where vacancy rates in commercial districts increase significantly and corresponding abatements
are granted. At this point we have not seen such changes nor have we seen a reduction in new
growth. This may be a factor a year or two from now should commercial or residential growth
shrink. A significant commercial downturn would hit us harder than some communities with
small to non-existent commercial sectors (e.g., Lexington (11.73% of value/ 20.5% of revenue),
Lincoln (3.56% of value / 3.56% of revenue) and not as hard as communities with larger
commercial sectors (e.g.,Woburn(27.6% of value/ 48.3% of revenue),Cambridge (43.3% of value
/ 60.8% of revenue)).
Unlike some other communities the percentage of state aid for the budget (e.g.,Lawrence (70.2%),
Springfield (59.9%),etc.)for Lexington(6.47%) is small.We rely primarily on local revenues rather
than state aid. Of local receipts the vast majority are property taxes. We have, however, seen a
decline in other local receipts (e.g., hotel/motel and meal taxes, jet fuel fees (Hanscom). These
local receipts fell by $234K or 1.4% in FY20 before much impact from the pandemic but are
projected to fall about $4.7M or another 28% in FY21. For FY22 we are projecting a return to
growth of about 6% or $720K but will still leave us about $4.2M below the FY19 revenue. While
this has some impact, this is still a small percentage of the Towri s available revenues for FY22.
This loss of local receipts for next year is somewhat offset by the fact the town cut spending on
projects near the end of FY20 leaving unspent funds that flowed to our Free Cash account. This
can be and is planned to be used to offset some of the shortfalls this coming year and should the
pandemic ease and tourism related spending return in a few years leave us close to where we
would have expected to be.
Our projected state aid for next year (FY22) is essentially flat - which is better than we were
expecting during early budgetary planning when we were anticipating cuts.
The less rosy side of the ledger is that it is more expensive for us to operate in pandemic mode.
School expense projections are based on a substantial return to in-school programs, but it is
unclear that we will be able to fully return next year. Should we need to continue fully remote
learning or hybrid education our costs for next year are likely to increase and will absorb any
wiggle room in the budget.
Social Racial Equity Initiatives
Diversifying the municipal staff remains a High Priority Goal for the Select Board. In addition,
the Board is committed to ensuring that Lexington is a safe, equitable and just community for all.
In FY2021 we have taken the following steps toward furthering that goal:
3
• Beginning with the FY22 budget add a municipal position of Chief Equity Officer
Reporting to the Town Manager.
• Engaged Town Counsel services led by former US Attorney and current partner in Town
Counsel's firm, Carmen Ortiz to review our police department policies, and practices and
procedures for bias or discriminatory impacts. The review included broad interviews with
community stakeholders. Recommendations on opportunities and challenges is expected
this spring. Further work will include a similar review of additional town departments.
• Engaged All Aces, Inc. to serve as our Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Transformation
(DIET) partner. All Aces, Inc. is working with the Town to conduct a comprehensive
assessment, design strategic workshops for community members and professional staff
training and create an action plan for long term change.
• Created a centralized resource page on the town website for our equity related work and
links. https://www.lexin tog nma.gov/town-manager/pages/toward-equitable-and-just-
community
• Joined both the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (CARE) and the National League
of Cities (NLC) in order to take advantage of their collective Racial Equity resources.
• Applied for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Racial Equity Municipal
Action Plan (REMAP) Program grant.
• Special Town Meeting 2020-2 adopted Article 8, a resolution to consider racial and other
equity impacts in all decisions and planning processes.
• Added a standing Racial and Social Equity update item to every regular meeting agenda.
• Held a panel discussion on policing, moderated by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
consultant from Equity and Expectations in September 2020. The virtual event was
attended by over 200 residents and was broadcast live on LexMedia. There were over 80
questions received and answered on the topic. The questions and answers are published
on the Town website. The Police Department has also prepared a series of videos on the
current police services offered to residents. The series of videos are also published on the
Police Department page of the Town website.
Center Streetscape Update
The Center Streetscape project design is complete, the Invitation for Bid (IFB) has been released,
and vendor selection is expected to be completed in March 2021. It is anticipated that project
construction will commence sometime after Patriots Day 2021 and that the project will take
approximately two construction seasons to complete. The Town has hired Environmental
Partners to provide full time oversight throughout the duration of the project. The Town has
planned for proactive outreach and communication throughout the project to keep residents and
direct abutters informed of the construction status. This communication plan includes but is not
limited to; mailings, emails, constant contact, and weekly website updates. The Battle Green
Streetscape project will be brought to 100% design over the next two years with construction
targeted to begin once the Center Streetscape Project is complete. The goal is to have all of the
Streetscape completed by fall 2024 in anticipation of the 2025 Town Celebration.
4
Municipal & School Buildings
Lexington Fire Department Headquarters
Construction Start Date: November 2018
Project Completion Date: October 2020
Project Budget: $19,943,700
Funding: STM 1 2017-Article 2/STM 4 2017-Article 4/ATM 2018-Article 13
The Fire Department Headquarters building construction has been completed and the
department moved in to their new facility in mid-October of 2020.
Visitors Center
Start Date: May 2019
Project Completion Date:July 2020
Project Budget: $5,100,000
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 18/STM 2017 3-Article 8/ATM 2018-Article 22
The new Visitors Center construction began in June of 2019 and opened to the public in July 2020.
Westview Cemetery Administration Building
Start Date: Design Development is complete, Construction documents have started
Estimated Project Completion Date: Spring 2022
Project Budget: $3,290,000 for construction
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 12o (design)/ATM 2020-Article 16k
Construction funding for the new Westview Cemetery Administration Building was approved
at ATM 2020 under Article 16k. The Westview project is currently in the construction document
phase and the design team expects construction to begin in April 2021. The project is expected
to be completed by early 2022.
Lexington Police Station
Start Date: Schematic Design is complete. Construction Design paused.
Estimated Project Completion Date: TBD
Project Budget: Currently $1,862,622 has been appropriated thru Construction Documents
Funding: ATM 2018-Article 14
The Select Board reaffirmed their decision that the new Lexington Police Station be located at 1575
Massachusetts Avenue in March of 2020. All members of the Select Board believe that the police
station building needs to be replaced. However, in October 2020 and March 2021, a majority of
the Select Board supported pausing further funding and additional design work on the police
station project until a point in time that the community could complete the planned
comprehensive conversations about the future of policing. The Select Board remains committed
to seeking ways to fully engage the larger Lexington community in these comprehensive
conversations and expects those conversations to continue over the course of the next several
months.
The Select Board wants to ensure that transparent information is provided to the community
about the current type and level of police services that the Town provides, the expected type and
5
level of police services in the future, the staffing for those services, and the training requirements
for our public safety staff.Further,the Select Board is committed to allowing ample opportunities
for residents to ask questions about policing and for the Town to provide comprehensive
responses.
Based on these decisions, the police station project will not be coming to Town Meeting for
funding at ATM 2021.
Hosmer House
Appropriation: $50,000
Funding: STM12018-Article 5 / ATM 2020-Article 10m(2) Not approved
Article 5 of the 2018 Special Town Meeting appropriated $50,000 for a study regarding relocation
or renovation of the Hammond A. Hosmer house, located at 1557 Massachusetts Ave. A
committee was formed with representatives of the Select Board, Permanent Building Committee,
Historical Commission, Historic Districts Commission, Public Facilities Department and the
Architectural firm LDa. After reviewing the recommendations of that committee, the Board felt
strongly that the Hosmer House should be returned to its intended use as a home and were in
support of moving the Hosmer House to enable construction of the Police Station project.
Article 10m(2) of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting asked for an appropriation of $25,000 for
LexHAB to complete a feasibility study to reuse the house as affordable housing at Vine Street.
That motion was not approved by Town Meeting.
The Town Manager issued a request for proposals (RFP) in (need date) for the house to be moved
and/or acquired, and received one qualifying bid. After extensive review and evaluation, a
majority of the Select Board determined in (need date) that the bid did not meet the objectives of
the RFP. The Select Board has authorized the Town Manager in March 2021 to issue another RFP,
this time including a list of specific properties where the facility could be moved and encouraging
potential public/private partnerships.
Stone Building
The Select Board formed the Ad-hoc Stone Building Feasibility Re-use committee in August of
2020 to preserve the Stone Building and explore the feasibility of alternate uses for the Stone
Building, consistent with the deeded restrictions and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Select Board recruited a wide range of candidates,
ultimately considering 19 applicants for the 9 member committee. The committee had their first
meeting in November 2020 and is expected to deliver their recommendations to the Select Board
by September 2021.
Pine Meadows Club House
This project has been delayed to a future year within the current 5 year Recreation Department.
This delay was to better align with overall Town capital plan and funding in those years.
Old Reservoir Bath House Renovation
Appropriation: $620,000
Funding: ATM 2019-Article 10g
6
All bids received by the Town exceeded the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The
Department of Public Facilities and Recreation Department staff are evaluating next steps and
considering alternatives as the pandemic has drastically impacted projects costs.
Lexington High School
Funding: ATM 2021-Article 24 Appropriate for LHS Feasibility Study ($1,825,000)
The Superintendent, with support of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen, submitted a
Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on March 17, 2019,
requesting state support for a high school building project.
The response from the MSBA in December of 2019 was that while Lexington's case for a new high
school was compelling, they unfortunately did not invite Lexington to participate. Recognizing
the needs and challenges Lexington is facing,the MSBA strongly encouraged the Town to reapply
in 2020. The Superintendent resubmitted the Statement of Interest in (need month year). MSBA
has notified the Town that the funding decisions that were expected for 2020, have been delayed
until spring of 2021.
If Lexington were to be invited into the school building pipeline, a one-year feasibility period
would begin, during which time issues of scope,siting, and cost would be explored in partnership
with the MSBA. If Lexington is not invited into the pipeline, we will likely reapply in 2021 and
every year thereafter until our application is accepted. In the meantime, the School Department
is completing a School Master Plan which will include a phased plan to accommodate students
at Lexington High School (LHS) until a new or renovated building is available.
If the MSBA notifies the Town that the Statement of Interest has been accepted before ATM 2021
concludes, Town Meeting will consider approval of 2021 ATM Warrant Article 24 to appropriate
for a Lexington High School Feasibility Study. If MSBA does not accept the Statement of Interest
before ATM 2021, the Select Board recommends that Warrant Article 24 be indefinitely
postponed.
Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Referral
to the Select Board
ATM 2018 referred Article 42, a citizens article to revise the Special Permit Residential
Development (SPRD) Bylaw,back to the Select Board for further evaluation and work. The Board
allocated funds in its FY19 budget to cover the costs of a facilitator for the SPRD committee and
a consultant to draft any bylaw or regulation revisions. These funds were originally granted
through the TIF agreement with Shire, which provided contributions over 10 years, to be used at
the Board's direction.
The committee is charged with gathering stakeholder input,reviewing housing data and drafting
a statement of values, to inform the drafting of a zoning bylaw amendment and warrant article
to either revise or replace the current Special Permit Residential Development Zoning Bylaw. The
full charge approved by the Select Board, as well as meeting minutes and presentations are
available at: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/special-permit-residential-development-zoning-
bylaw- amendment-committee-ad-hoc
7
The appointed members of the Ad-Hoc SPRD Committee are: Jill Hai, Charles Hornig, Scott
Cooper,Matt Daggett,Heather Hartshorn,Joyce Murphy,Richard Perry,Taylor Singh and Betsey
Weiss. The committee meetings were filmed by LexMedia and available for viewing OnDemand.
Following community outreach and committee research, the committee presented a statement of
values in a report to Fall Special Town Meeting in November 2019. The Town then engaged a
consultant to work with the committee to develop a bylaw amendment to further those values.
The committee was to begin meeting with the consultant at the end of March 2020, to outline the
next phase of the work. Although that timeline was delayed by the pandemic, the Committee is
currently reviewing alternative zoning proposals and these presentations,as well as various draft
amendments are available on the committee's webpage. It is expected that outreach to the
planning board and community will begin in the spring of 2021, with a goal of bringing Articles
to the Fall 2021 Special Town Meeting.
The Committee's proposed revisions will seek to create the necessary incentives to increase
production of the housing stock Lexington desires,based on the value statement created in phase
one of its work. The statement reflects an increased focus on sustainability and accessibility and
reiterates the desire for increased diversity of housing stock.
The value statement reads as follows:
Lexington seeks to encourage greater diversity of housing opportunities to meet the needs of a
diverse population with respect to income, ability, accessibility needs, number of persons in a
household and stage of life. Lexington seeks to fulfill this goal while preserving its cultural and
historical values and promoting growth that is sustainable and sensitive to the natural
environment.
Lexington is mindful of supporting development that preserves historically or architecturally
significant buildings and landscape. The Town recognizes that not all of these values can be
applied to all sites but is committed to evaluating each site as an opportunity to contribute to
serving and promoting these values Town wide.
Update on recent Home Rule Petitions
There were three home rule petition requests approved at the 2020 Annual Town Meeting or
Special Town Meetings. Two of these requests have been approved by the legislature and signed
by the Governor:
ATM 2020:Article 7. Petition General Court to Amend Legislation Regarding Tax Deferrals
• An Act Relative to Real Property Tax Deferrals in The Town of Lexington
Approved, January 13, 2 02 1. Chapter 351 of the Acts of 2020
ATM 2020:Article 26: Amend Historic Districts Commission Enabling Legislation
• An Act Relative to The Historic Districts Commission in The Town of Lexington
Approved, January 8, 2021. Chapter 301 of the Acts of 2020
The third petition was submitted too late for consideration before the end of the legislative session
in 2020. This item has been submitted for consideration in the legislative session and has received
a docket number for processing:
8
STM 2020-2:Article 6 Authorize Special Legislation Development Surcharge for Community
Housing (Citizen Petition)
• HD 1715 -An Act authorizing a development surcharge for community housing in the
town of Lexington
Filed, February 10, 2021.
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
In anticipation of the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in year 2025, the Select Board
established the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) in January 2020 as the official Town
entity dedicated to helping the Town of Lexington plan events. Recruitment for membership on
the Commission was delayed in calendar year 2020 due to the disruptions of COVID-19 and is
currently underway with the anticipation of naming the members in the Spring of 2021. A
member of the Lexington Select Board has also joined with representatives from the Towns of
Concord, Lincoln, Bedford, Arlington and representatives from Minuteman National Historical
Park and Hanscom Field to begin information sharing regarding events that may be planned in
the Battle Road Communities in 2025. There will be ample opportunities for interested residents
and groups to volunteer as part of Lex250 events, be sure to watch the Town Website, Town E-
Newsletter "Link to Lexington" and local papers for updates.
9
SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
t
APRlt,
REPORT TO THE
2021 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Select Board:
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair,Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair,
Joseph N. Pato, Suzanne E. Barry, Mark D. Sandeen
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Year of Unprecedented Challenges Page 2
Budgetary Concerns and Stresses Page 2
Social Racial Equity Initiatives Page 3
Center Streetscape Update Page 4
Municipal & School Building Projects Page 5
Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD)
Referral to the Select Board Page 7
Update on recent Home Rule Petitions Page 8
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Page 9
March 2021
Message from the Select Board
The Select Board has prepared this written report to Annual Town Meeting 2021 under Article 2.
This report contains an update to Town Meeting on the status of several topics the Board felt
would be of interest to Town Meeting Members. These topics include: A COVID-19 update, an
overview of Fiscal issues raised this past year, how the Board is moving forward with Social
Racial Equity Initiatives, the current status of the Center Streetscape Project, an update on
Municipal and School Building Projects, an update on Article 42-Special Permit Residential
Development zoning that was referred back to the Board at Annual Town Meeting 2018, status of
recent actions at Town Meeting regarding Home Rule Petitions and the progress on the
Semiquincentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lexington coming in 2025.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, the Board encourages you to
get in touch with any member of the Board via email (below) or by calling the Select Board Office
(781-698-4580) to schedule a phone meeting. Due to the restrictions surrounding COIVD-19 all
five members of the Board have suspended there in person regularly scheduled office hours in
the Select Board Office at Town Office Building.
• Doug Lucente, Chair: dlucente@lexin tog nma.gov
• Jill Hai, Vice-Chair: ljhai@lexingtonma.gov
• Joe Pato: jpato@lexin tonma.gov
• Suzie Barry: sbarry@lexin tog nma.gov
• Mark Sandeen: msandeen@lexin tog nma.gov
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair
Jill L Hai, Vice-Chair
Joseph N. Pato
Suzanne E. Barry
Mark D. Sandeen
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Year of Unprecedented Challenges
Between a global pandemic, economic crisis, and emphatic calls to address systemic racism, this
past year was a year of unprecedented challenges for the Town of Lexington and the Select Board.
In March 2020, business as usual changed quickly. The Board's focus quickly shifted to
responding to the pandemic. The State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the outbreak
of COVID-19 forced changes to all municipal business practices. In an effort to help stru, ng
residents, the Board voted to extend second quarter due dates. The Select Board, in
conjunction with the Town Moderator, pushed back the date for the March 2020 Annual Town
Meeting while alternatives were contemplated on how to proceed. All public meetings were
transitioned to a virtual format accessible by the public using the application Zoom so the Town
could continue to operate our municipality while adhering to social distancing guidelines.-
_
,� Since March of 2020, all in person Town events have been canceled and many events
moved to an online virtual platform. In June of 2020 we were able to successfully hold the first
virtual Annual Town Meeting in the Commonwealth due to the efforts of the Town Moderator
Deborah Brown, Town Counsel Mina Makarious, Select Board Chair Doug Lucente, Select Board
Member Joe Pato, Town Manager Jim Malloy, Deputy Town Manager Kelly Axtell, Management
Fellow Kat Labrecque,Lexington's State Representative Michelle Ciccolo,Town Clerk Nadie Rice
and many members of the municipal staff. Following on that success we held two virtual Special
Town Meetings in October/November 2020 enabling Town government to continue functioning
on a close to pre-pandemic timeline. This past year has been quite different in terms of look and
feel and the challenges have been great and we are grateful to the entire municipal staff for
continuing to adjust to deliver quality and creative services across the board to our residents. We
would be remiss if we didn t make special mention of the tireless work of the front line staff
involved in COVID-19 related efforts and also acknowledge the over 1000 residents that have
been diagnosed with COVID-19 including the fifty six deaths (88% associated with long-term care
facilities); may their memory being a blessing to those they left behind and may we as a
community continue to work together to address the challenges of the pandemic.
Budgetary Concerns and Stresses
Onwinz budgetary concerns:
The Select Board is committed to avoiding an operating budget tax override. However,managing
operating expenses to align with revenue growth is becoming increasingly challenging and mav
require realigning the municipal, school, and shared expense budgets in future years.
For the past decade, the School Department budget - largely driven by enrollment growth and
re ulatory requirements-has Rrown at a faster rate than have Town revenues.The FY2022 School
Department operating budget needs are proposed to be met using non-recurring,revenues drawn
from the Free Cash account and a $500,000 transfer from the Special Education (SEE
Stabilization Fund. Use of these funds for FY2022 will make closing- budget shortfalls in future
years that much more difficult.
2
Extraordinary concerns due tot e Covid-19 pandernic
Many residents have asked about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the town budget.
Despite the constantly changing landscape the Town ended fiscal 200 in a strong financial
position and has remained stable throughout fiscal 2021.
Lexington has continued to see healthy real-estate tax collections. As in previous economic
downturns collection rates were minimally affected and, in the past, they bounced back quickly.
Property tax collections would most likely be compromised in a protracted commercial downturn
where vacancy rates in commercial districts increase significantly and corresponding abatements
are granted. At this point we have not seen such changes nor have we seen a reduction in new
growth. This may be a factor a year or two from now should commercial or residential growth
shrink. A significant commercial downturn would hit us harder than some communities with
small to non-existent commercial sectors (e.g., Lexington (11.73% of value/ 20.5% of revenue),
Lincoln (3.56% of value / 3.56% of revenue) and not as hard as communities with larger
commercial sectors (e.g., Woburn(27.6% of value/ 48.3% of revenue),Cambridge (43.3% of value
/ 60.8% of revenue)).
Unlike some other communities the percentage of state aid for the budget (e.g.,Lawrence (70.2%),
Springfield (59.9%),etc.) for Lexington(6.47%) is small.We rely primarily on local revenues rather
than state aid. Of local receipts the vast majority are property taxes. We have, however, seen a
decline in other local receipts (e.g., hotel/motel and meal taxes, jet fuel fees (Hanscom)). These
local receipts fell by $234K or 1.4% in FY20 before much impact from the pandemic but are
projected to fall about $4.7M or another 28% in FY21. For FY22 we are projecting a return to
growth of about 6% or $720K but will still leave us about $4.2M below the FY19 revenue. While
this has some impact, this is still a small percentage of the Towri s available revenues for FY22.
This loss of local receipts for next year is somewhat offset by the fact the town cut spending on
projects near the end of FY20 leaving unspent funds that flowed to our Free Cash account. This
can be and is planned to be used to offset some of the shortfalls this coming year and should the
pandemic ease and tourism related spending return in a few years leave us close to where we
would have expected to be.
Our projected state aid for next year (FY22) is essentially flat - which is better than we were
expecting during early budgetary planning when we were anticipating cuts.
The less rosy side of the ledger is that it is more expensive for us to operate in pandemic mode.
School expense projections are based on a substantial return to in-school programs, but it is
unclear that we will be able to fully return next year. Should we need to continue fully remote
learning or hybrid education our costs for next year are likely to increase and will absorb any
wiggle room in the budget.
Social Racial Equity Initiatives
Diversifying the municipal staff remains a High Priority Goal for the Select Board. In addition,
the Board is committed to ensuring that Lexington is a safe, equitable and just community for all.
In FY2021 we have taken the following steps toward furthering that goal:
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• Beginni with the FY22 budget aAdd a municipal position of Chief Equity Officer
Reporting to the Town Manager.
• E abed Town Counsel services led y for er US Attorney and current partner i
Town Counsel's firm, Carmen Ortiz to review our police department policies, and
practices and procedures for bias or discriminatory impacts. The review included broad
interviews with community stakeholders. Recommendations on opportunities and
challenges is expected this s rin . Further work will include a similar review of
additional town departments .
• Engaged All Aces, Inc. to serve as our Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Transformation
(DIET) partner. All Aces, Inc. is working with the Town to conduct a comprehensive
assessment, deli n strategic workshops for community members and professional staff
training and create an action plan for long term change.
• Created a centralized resource page on the town website for our equity related work and
links. https://www.lexingtonma.gov/town-manager/pages/toward-equitable-and�ust-
community
• Joined both the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (CARE) and the National League
of Cities (NLC) in order to take advantage of their collective Racial Equity resources.
•®Applied for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Racial Equity Municipal
Action Plan (REMAP) Program grant.
• Special Town Meeti 2020-2 adopted Article 8, a resolution to consider racial and other
equity impacts in all decisions and planning rocesses.
• Added a standing Racial and Social Equity update item to every regular meeting agenda.
Held a panel discussion on policing, moderated by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
consultant from Equity and Expectations in September 2020. The virtual event was
attended by over 200 residents and was broadcast live on LexMedia. There were over 80
questions received and answered on the topic. The questions and answers are published
on the Town website.
®The Police Department has also prepared a series of videos on the current police services
offered to residents. The series of videos are also published on the Police Department page
of the Town website.
Center Streetscape Update
The Center Streetscape project design is complete, the Invitation for Bid (IFB) has been released,
and vendor selection is expected to be completed in March 2021. It is anticipated that project
construction will commence sometime after Patriots Day 01 and that the project will take
approximately two construction seasons to complete. The Town has hired Environmental
Partners to provide full time oversight throughout the duration of the project. The Town has
planned for proactive outreach and communication throughout the project to keep residents and
direct abutters informed of the construction status. This communication plan includes but is not
limited to; mailings, emails, constant contact, and weekly website updates. The Battle Green
Streetscape project will be brought to 100% design over the next two years with construction
targeted to begin once the Center Streetscape Project is complete. The goal is to have all of the
Streetscape completed by fall 2024 in anticipation of the 2025 Town Celebration.
4
Municipal & School Buildings
Lexington Fire Department Headquarters
Construction Start Date: November 2018
Project Completion Date: October 2020
Project Budget: $19,943,700
Funding: STM 1 2017-Article 2/STM 4 2017-Article 4/ATM 2018-Article 13
The Fire Department Headquarters building construction has been completed and the
department moved in to their new facility in mid-October of 2020.
Visitors Center
Start Date: May 2019
Project Completion Date:July 2020
Project Budget: $5,100,000
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 18/STM 2017 3-Article 8/ATM 2018-Article 22
The new Visitors Center construction began in June of 2019 and opened to the public in July 2020.
Westview Cemetery Administration Building
Start Date: Design Development is complete, Construction documents have started
Estimated Project Completion Date: Spring 2022
Project Budget: $3,290,000 for construction
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 12o (design)/ATM 2020-Article 16k
Construction funding for the new Westview Cemetery Administration Building was approved
at ATM 2020 under Article 16k. The Westview project is currently in the construction document
phase and the design team expects construction to begin in April 2021. The project is expected
to be completed by early 2022.
Lexington Police Station
Start Date: Schematic Design is complete. Construction Design paused.
Estimated Project Completion Date: TBD
Project Budget: Currently $1,862,622 has been appropriated thru Construction Documents
Funding: ATM 2018-Article 14
The Select Board reaffirmed their decision that the new Lexington Police Station be located at 1575
Massachusetts Avenue in March of 2020. All members of the Select Board believe that the police
station building needs to be replaced. However, in October 2020 and March 2021, a majority of
the Select Board supported pausing further funding and additional design work on the police
station project until a point in time that the community could complete the planned
comprehensive conversations about the future of policing. The Select Board remains committed
to seeking ways to fully engage the larger Lexington community in these comprehensive
conversations and expects those conversations to continue over the course of the next several
months.
5
The Select Board wants to ensure that transparent information is provided to the community
about the current type and level of police services that the Town provides, the expected type and
level of police services in the future, the staffing for those services, and the training requirements
for our public safety staff. Further,the Select Board is committed to allowing ample opportunities
for residents to ask questions about policing and for the Town to provide comprehensive
responses.
Based on these decisions, the police station project will not be coming to Town Meeting for
funding at ATM 2021.
Hosmer House
Appropriation: $50,000
Funding: STM12018-Article 5 / ATM 2020-Article 10m(2) Not approved
Article 5 of the 2018 Special Town Meeting appropriated $50,000 for a study regarding relocation
or renovation of the Hammond A. Hosmer house, located at 1557 Massachusetts Ave. A
committee was formed with representatives of the Select Board, Permanent Building Committee,
Historical Commission, Historic Districts Commission, Public Facilities Department and the
Architectural firm LDa. After reviewing the recommendations of that committee, the Board felt
strongly that the Hosmer House should be returned to its intended use as a home and were in
support of moving the Hosmer House to enable construction of the Police Station project.
Article 10m(2) of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting asked for an appropriation of $25,000 for
LexHAB to complete a feasibility study to reuse the house as affordable housing at Vine Street.
That motion was not approved by Town Meeting.
The Town Manager issued a request for proposals (RFP) i need date) for the house to be
moved and/or acquired, and received one qualifying bid. After extensive review and evaluation,
a majority of the Select Board determined i need date)that the bid did not meet the objectives
of the RFP. The Select Board has authorized the Town Manager in March 2021 to issue another
RFP, this time including a list of specific properties where the facility could be moved and
encouraging potential public/private partnerships.
Stone Agilding
The Select Board formed the Ad-hoc Stone Building FeasibilityRe-use committee in August of
020 to preserve the Stone Building and explore the feasibility of alternate uses for the Stone
ilig, consistent with the deeded restrictions and the Secretary of the Interior`s Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Select Board recruited a wide range of candidates,
ultimately considering 19 applicants for the 9 member committee. The committee had their first
eeting in November 2020 and is expected to deliver their recommendations to the Select Board
by September 2021.
Pine Meadows Club House
This project has been delayed to a future year within the current 5 year Recreation
Department. This delay was to better align with overall Town capital plan and funding in those
years.
Old Reservoir Bath House Renovation
6
Appropriation: $620,000
Funding: ATM 2019-Article 10g
All bids received by the Town exceeded the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The
Department of Public Facilities and Recreation Department staff are evaluating next steps and
considering alternatives as the pandemic has drastically impacted projects costs.
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Lexington High School
Funding: ATM 2021-Article 24 Appropriate for LHS Feasibility Study ($1,825,000)
The Superintendent, with support of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen, submitted a
Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on March 17, 2019,
requesting state support for a high school building project.
The response from the MSBA in December of 2019 was that while Lexington's case for a new high
school was compelling, they unfortunately did not invite Lexington to participate. Recognizing
the needs and challenges Lexington is facing,the MSBA strongly encouraged the Town to reapply
in 2020. The Superintendent resubmitted the Statement of Interest in (need month year). MSBA
has notified the Town that the funding decisions that were expected for 2020, have been delayed
until spring of 2021.
If Lexington were to be invited into the school building pipeline, a one-year feasibility period
would begin, during which time issues of scope,siting, and cost would be explored in partnership
with the MSBA. If Lexington is not invited into the pipeline, we will likely reapply in 2021 and
7
every year thereafter until our application is accepted. In the meantime, the School Department
is completing a School Master Plan which will include a phased plan to accommodate students
at Lexington High School (LHS) until a new or renovated building is available.
If the MSBA notifies the Town that the Statement of Interest has been accepted before ATM 2021
concludes, Town Meeting will consider approval of 2021 ATM Warrant Article 24 to appropriate
for a Lexington High School Feasibility Study. If MSBA does not accept the Statement of Interest
before ATM 2021, the Select Board recommends that Warrant Article 24 be indefinitely
postponed.
Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Referral
to the Select Board
ATM 2018 referred Article 42, a citizen's article to revise the Special Permit Residential
Development (SPRD) Bylaw,back to the Select Board for further evaluation and work. The Board
allocated funds in its FY19 budget to cover the costs of a facilitator for the SPRD committee and
a consultant to draft any bylaw or regulation revisions. These funds were originally granted
through the TIF agreement with Shire, which provided contributions over 10 years, to be used at
the Board's direction.
The committee is charged with gathering stakeholder input,reviewing housing data and drafting
a statement of values, to inform the drafting of a zoning bylaw amendment and warrant article
to either revise or replace the current Special Permit Residential Development Zoning Bylaw. The
full charge approved by the Select Board, as well as meeting minutes and presentations are
available at: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/special-permit-residential-development-zoning-
bylaw- amendment-committee-ad-hoc
The appointed members of the Ad-Hoc SPRD Committee are: Jill Hai , Charles Hornig, Scott
Cooper,Matt Daggett,Heather Hartshorn,Joyce Murphy,Richard Perry,Taylor Singh and Betsey
Weiss. The committee meetings were filmed by LexMedia and available for viewing OnDemand.
Following community outreach and committee research, tThe committee presented a statement
of values in a report to Fall Special Town Meeting in November 2019. The Town then engaged a
consultant to work with the committee to develop a bylaw amendment- to further those values.
The committee was to begin meeting with the consultant at the end of March 2020, to outline the
next phase of the work. Although that timeline was delayed by the pandemic-, the Committee is
currently reviewing alternative zoning proposals and these presentations,as well as various draft
amendments are available on the committee's webpage. It is expected that outreach to the
planning board and community will begin sheftly in the spring of 01, with a goal of bringing
Articles to the Fall 2021 Special Town Meeting.
The Committee's proposed revisions will seek to create the necessary incentives to increase
production of the housing stock Lexington desires,based on the value statement created in phase
one of its work. The statement reflects an increased focus on sustainability and accessibility and
reiterates the desire for increased diversity of housing stock.
The value statement reads as follows:
8
Lexington seeks to encourage greater diversity of housing opportunities to meet the needs of a
diverse population with respect to income, ability, accessibility needs, number of persons in a
household and stage of life. Lexington seeks to fulfill this goal while preserving its cultural and
historical values and promoting growth that is sustainable and sensitive to the natural
environment.
Lexington is mindful of supporting development that preserves historically or architecturally
significant buildings and landscape. The Town recognizes that not all of these values can be
applied to all sites but is committed to evaluating each site as an opportunity to contribute to
serving and promoting these values Town wide.
Update on recent Home Rule Petitions
There were three home rule petition requests approved at the 2020 Annual Town Meeting or
Special Town Meetings. Two of these requests have been approved by the legislature and signed
by the Governor:
ATM 2020:Article 7. Petition General Court to Amend Legislation Regarding Tax Deferrals
• An Act Relative to Real Property Tax Deferrals in The Town of Lexington
Approved,January 13, 2021. Chapter 351 of the Acts of 2020
ATM 2020:Article 26: Amend Historic Districts Commission Enabling Legislation
• An Act Relative to The Historic Districts Commission in The Town of Lexington
Approved, January 8, 2021. Chapter 301 of the Acts of 2020
The third petition was submitted too late for consideration before the end of the legislative session
in 2020. This item has been submitted for consideration in the legislative session and has received
a docket number for processing:
STM 2020-2:Article 6 Authorize Special Legislation Development Surcharge for Community
Housing (Citizen Petition)
• HD 1715 -An Act authorizing a development surcharge for community housing in the
town of Lexington
Filed, February 10, 2021.
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
In anticipation of the 2501h Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in year 2025, the Select Board
established the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) in January 2020 as the official Town
entity dedicated to helping the Town of Lexington plan events. Recruitment for membership on
the Commission was delayed in calendar year 2020 due to the disruptions of COVID-19 and is
currently underway with the anticipation of naming the members in the Spring of 2021. A
member of the Lexington Select Board has also joined with representatives from the Towns of
Concord, Lincoln, Bedford, Arlington and representatives from Minuteman National Historical
Park and Hanscom Field to begin information sharing regarding events that may be planned in
the Battle Road Communities in 2025. There will be ample opportunities for interested residents
and groups to volunteer as part of Lex250 events, be sure to watch the Town Website, Town E-
Newsletter "Link to Lexington" and local papers for updates.
9
From: Deborah Brown
Sent:Thursday, March 18, 2021 1:27 PM
To: LexTMMA
Cc: Barry Orenstein
Subject: Important Town Meeting prep and proposed schedule
Hello, Town Meeting Members!
This is an important email so please read through to the end.
Below my signature in this email, you will find a proposed schedule of articles for the first
two nights of Town Meeting. In preparation, please review the motions and video presentations
for these items that you will find posted on the Town's website here:
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/town-meeting/pages/2021-annual-town-meeting-articles-reports-
and-presentations
In particular, please review all of the motions, presentation videos, and committee/board
reports for the Consent Agenda. These are items that will be voted as a group - a single vote
- and will not be debated at Town Meeting, nor will we view the presentation videos. You will,
however, have an opportunity to pose questions. Further information and explanation of the
Consent Agenda process can be found at the same link, above.
I'll send further updated schedules in future emails. Please understand that this schedule is
subject to change.
Deborah Brown
Preliminary schedule of Articles for ATM 2021
The Deputy Moderator and I are proposing that the following articles be taken up the first week
of our Annual Town Meeting:
Monday, March 22:
• Article 2 — Election of Deputy Moderator
• Article 26: Transportation Funding — Petition General Court
• Article 35: Scenic Roads
• Article 29: Clean Heat
• Article 2 — Report of the Town Manager
• Article 2 —Accept reports of Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures
Committee and place on file
Wednesday, March 24:
• Report of the LPS School Superintendent
• Report of the Minuteman Regional School Superintendent
• Article 4: Appropriate FY 2022 Operating Budget
• Article 10: FY2022 Community Preservation Committee:
o Article 2 report
o Article 1 Of: CPA Administrative Budget
o (The remainder of the CPA appropriation items are included in the Consent
Agenda, below.)
• ATM 2021- Consent Agenda:
- Article 6: Senior Services Program
- Article 10: Reserve funds for various uses by appropriating into "buckets"
- Article 10a: Community Center Mansion Sidewalk and Patio
- Article 10b: Park and Playground Improvements
- Article 10c: Park Improvements- Athletic fields
- Article 10d: Playground Enhancements-Pour-n-Place Surfaces
- Article 10e: CPA Debt Services
- Article 11: Recreation Capital
- Article 12a: Transportation Mitigation
- Article 12b: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement
- Article 12c: Townwide Culvert Replacement
- Article 12d: Equipment Replacement
- Article 12e: Sidewalk Improvements
- Article 12f Storm Drainage Improvement/NPDES Compliance
- Article 12g: Comprehensive Watershed Stormwater Management
- Article 12h: Street Improvements
- Article 12i: Hydrant Replacement Program
- Article 12m: Cary Library Network upgrade
- Article 13: Water System Improvements
- Article 14: Wastewater Improvements
- Article 15: Appropriate for School Capital Projects and Equipment
- Article 16a: Public Facilities Bid Documents
- Article 16b: Facility and Site improvements-Building Flooring program and School
Paving Program
- Article 16c: Public Facilities Mechanical/Electrical System Replacements
- Article 16d: Municipal Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
- Article 16e Townwide Roofing Program
- Article 16f: School Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
- Article 16i HVAC Improvements (IP)
- Article 18: Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations
- Article 20: Unpaid bills (IP)
- Article 22: Appropriate for Authorized Capital Improvements (IP)
- Article 23 Appropriate from Debt Service Stabilization Fund
- Article 25: Amend Borrowing Authorization Conservation Land Acquisition
- Article 27: Increase in Recreation Committee Membership
- Article 28: Reducing noise Landscaping equipment (IP)
- Article 37: Amend General Bylaws- Stormwater Management (Chapter 114)
- Article 38: Amend General Bylaws- Trees (Chapter 120) (IP)
- Article 40: Amend Zoning Bylaw- Retaining Walls (IP)
- Article 42: Amend Zoning Bylaw- Floodplain Management
- Article 43: Amend Zoning Bylaw- Technical Corrections (IP)
• Time permitting:
o Article 5: Appropriate FY2022 Enterprise Funds Budgets
o Article 7: Appropriate for Municipal Organizational Assessment
o Article 8: Appropriate for 20/20 Vision Survey
o Article 9: Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds
o Article 17: Appropriate to Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund
o Article 19: Specified Stabilization Funds
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 33 AMEND GENERAL BYLAWS- TREE BYLAW:
DATA COLLECTION AND EDUCATION
MOTION 1: That the Town's Tree Bylaw, Chapter 120 of the Code of the Town of Lexington,be
amended as follows:
(a) Rename § 120-8 to "Protection of Trees."
(b) Make the following edits to § 120-8.A: (1) delete the word"Scope." from the beginning of said
section; (2) delete the phrase "as set forth below" from the end of said section; and(3) add the phrase"as
set forth in subsections B through E below" at the end of said section.
(c)Add the following sentence after the first sentence of§ 120-8.B.1: "The owner shall also submit the
tree species, if known, location, DBH for all trees on the property of six-inch DBH or greater, whether or
not they are proposed to be removed, and for any trees that are proposed to be removed, the reason for
removal and alternatives to removal considered."
(d)Add the following § 120-8.F:
Upon removal of any tree of six-inch DBH or greater , the owner of the property on which the tree is
located shall provide information to the Town regarding the removal of that tree and the reason for its
removal. The owner shall also provide a plan identifying the location, species (if known), and DBH of
any trees so removed, remaining trees, and any trees planted as mitigation pursuant to Section 120-8.C.
MOTION 2: That this motion be indefinitely postponed.
(Revised 03/19/2021)
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Town of Lexington
Annual Town Meeting 2021
Article 35: Amend Scenic Roads Bylaw (Citizen
Petition)
Madam Moderator, the Select Board appreciates the time invested by the
Citizen in bringing this article forward and raising the awareness of scenic
roads in Lexington. The Board received a presentation on the article from the
proponent, has had a Board discussion and all 5 members of the Board still
have concerns and confusion surrounding the article.
Madam Moderator, the Select Board has voted unanimously to abstain on this
article.
Town of Lexington
Economic Development Advisory Committee
OS 'op .
0
APRIL 19"
MEMORANDUM
To: Lexington Select Board and Lexington Planning Board
cc: Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director; Casey Hagerty, Economic Development
Coordinator; Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director
From: Economic Development Advisory Committee
RE: EDAC Town Meeting Article Positions
Date: March 18, 2021
Article 36
The Economic Development Advisory Committee reviewed Annual Town Meeting 2021 Article
36 at their meeting on March 18, 2021. The Committee discussed affordable housing surcharge
on commercial development needs additional assessment and comprehensive analysis using
comparative communities based on the tax rate as well as the Triple Net Lease value in each
community. This discussion was followed by a motion not to recommend the approval of Article
36 to the Select Board made by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Burnell. The motion was
approved 6-0 by a roll call vote.
+� Town of Lexington
PLANNING BOARD Charles Hornig,Chair
Robert D.Peters,Vice Chair
+ 1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Michael Schanbacher,Clerk
i c Lexington,MA 02420 Robert Creech,Member
� f Tel(781)698-4560 Melanie Thompson,Member
r rLu9�, planningglexinetonma.ov Michael Leon,Associate
ki WWW.Iexin tog nma.gov/planning
RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF THE LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
TO THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF 2021
DATES LEGAL NOTICE PUBLISHED IN January 21, 2021, and January 28, 2021, in the
THE NEWSPAPER Lexington Minuteman Newspaper; and January 26,
2021, and February 2, 2021, in the Boston Globe
DATE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED February 10, 2021
DATES OF CONTINUED PUBLIC February 17, 2021; February 23, 2021; February 24,
HEARINGS 2021 (continued without testimony); March 3, 2021;
March 10, 2021
DATE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED March 10, 2021
DATE THE PLANNING BOARD VOTED A March 10, 2021
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION Approval
PRESENTERS WHO APPEARED DURING Charles Hornig, Member; Sandhya Iyer, Economic
THE PUBLIC HEARINGS Development Director; Sheila Page, Assistant Planning
Director; and Amanda Loomis, Planning Director
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS WHO Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-chair;
VOTED ON THE ARTICLE Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert Creech; and
Melanie Thompson
RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Board unanimously recommends that Town Meeting APPROVE the motion
under Article 44.
BACKGROUND
During the drafting and public outreach process for Article 45, Hartwell Innovation Park(C-
HIP), the Board identified several proposals that would be best practices for the entire Town,
rather than just the C-HIP District. Article 44 includes a variety of amendments described
below that will improve commercial areas across Lexington.
DESCRIPTION
The motion under Article 44 proposes the following changes:
• Allow breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries in the CM District(and the C-HIP
District should Article 45 be adopted). Like many other tourist destinations within the
Commonwealth, such addition would allow Lexington to diversify its attractions.
• Allow makerspaces (see the definition in the motion) in all commercial districts.
Communities with successful makerspaces include Brookline (The Makery—Makerspace
& STEM Program); Cambridge (The Possible Project Makerspace); Framingham
(Framingham MakerSpace); Jamaica Plan(Boston Makers); Somerville (Artisan's
Asylum); Watertown(HATCH Makerspace); and Portsmouth, NH (Port City
Makerspace).
• Reduce excessive requirements for loading bays and locate them on the side or rear of
buildings.
• Increase the number of parking spaces to be reserved for carpools or vanpools.
• Increase the number of required bicycle parking spaces.
• Permit required parking to be located off-site as long as there is reasonable access to it.
• Permit required parking that is not currently needed to be identified but not constructed to
decrease impervious surface.
• Require new trees in parking lots to be larger and be of a native or native hybrid species.
• Require construction of some electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and reservation of
space for more in newly-constructed parking spaces.
• Require that parking in front of a building be screened.
• Expand and clarify the areas to be covered by the Planning Board's site plan review
standards.
• Add or expand definitions for uses that Lexington wishes to attract.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS
Due to COVID-19, public hearings for Article 44 were held via Zoom. The Planning Board
held six (6)public hearings for Article 44. At the February 1 Oth, February 171h, February 23`d
and February 241h (continued without testimony) public hearings, Bob Creech, Chair; Robert
Peters, Vice-Chair; Ginna Johnson, Clerk; Charles Hornig; and Richard Canale were present.
On March 3rd and March 10th, Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael
Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert Creech; and Melanie Thompson were present and were the
voting members. Michael Leon was also present for the public hearing process as the
Associate Member.
( W
February 10, 2021 Bob Creech, Chair, opened the public hearing. Ms. Loomis presented a
PowerPoint presentation for the proposed Article 44. The presentation
included proposed amendments based on comments received.
2
Mr. Creech requested comments from the Planning Board throughout the
presentation based on the proposed Article's sub-section.
• The Planning Board reviewed the Manufacturing (CM) District and
requested that the C-HIP and associated new uses be limited to mitigate
unforeseen or problematic implications of such uses.
• The Planning Board reviewed and requested clarification of the
interpretation of the amended and new definitions.
Ms. Loomis presented the amendment §135.1.5 Table of Loading
Requirements to reduce the number of loading bays. The staff received
comments and based on a conversation with property owners in the
Hartwell Zoning Area.
Ms. Page presented the amendment §135-5.1.7 Preferential Rideshare
Parking, focusing on increasing the number of required carpool or vanpool
parking spaces town-wide.
Ms. Page presented the amendment §135-5.1.8 Bicycle Parking Facilities,
focusing on increasing the number of required bicycle parking spaces
town-wide.
Ms. Page presented the amendment §135-5.1.9 Location of Off-street
Parking Spaces and Loading Bays. The new section added was §135-
5.1.9.1 and was taken from Article 45 Hartwell Innovative Park(HIP),
which is meant to encourage shared parking lots everywhere and not just
in the HIP zoning area.
• The Planning Board requested clarification regarding the location of
accessible parking spaces, access to the site if off-street parking was
provided elsewhere, a review of shuttle frequency, and the actual
installation and demand for public transportation stops.
Ms. Loomis presented the amendment to §135-5.1.9.11 Design Standards.
There have been some recent changes based on discussions with the
Sustainable Lexington Committee and landowners about electric vehicle
charging stations. How many should be installed at the onset of the project
so what they install now will not be obsolete before the full need arises?
• The Planning Board discussed the numbers and the logistics relative to
EV charging. Members of the Planning Board were very supportive of
the concept but agreed the language needed work.
Ms. Loomis presented the proposed amendment §135-5.1.9.12 Design
Standards regarding parking between a structure and a public right-of-
way. The property has direct access not permitted, except if screened or
for accessible or temporary parking.
• The Planning Board requested case studies from other communities be
provided.
Ms.Page presented the proposed amendment§135-5.5.10 Traffic Standards
3
Circulation it was requested that bicycle entrances and amenities be
separated from car entrances for safety and comfort issues.
• The Planning Board discussed the need for bicycle separation for safety.
Ms. Loomis presented the proposed amendment §135-9.5.4.2 Procedures
for Site Plan Review and amendments to §135-9.5.5 Review Standards.
• The Planning Board reviewed both the procedures and the standards and
provided amendments.
Ms. Loomis presented the definitions for the Table of Use changes and
would send them to the Board.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments were
received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of February 10, 2021, or the
public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
February 17, 2021 Bob Creech, Chair,opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis briefly
presented a proposed amendment to the section on loading bays. No
Planning Board or public comments were provided.
February 23, 2021 Bob Creech, Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis
presented amendments made to Article 44 since February 17, 2021,public
hearing, which were based on comments received through the public
hearing process.
It was noted that amendments to the Table of Use, lines N. Manufacturing,
Research and Development, Life Science and Technology Principal Use
N.1.05 and N.1.06 and P. Open Air, Seasonal and Special Events Principal
Use P.1.03 were made.
• The Planning Board discussed the impacts of such lines on the
Manufacturing (CM) Zoning District near the Waltham-Lexington
municipal line.
Ms. Loomis presented changes for the General Regulations Table of
Loading Requirements, which confirmed removing items as per comments
previously made by the Planning Board and the public.
Ms. Loomis provided clarification regarding the orientation of building
(diagonal) loading bays being located in the side rear of the building, with
the front being adjacent to the principal right-of-way.
• The Planning Board reviewed the orientation of loading bays, whether
screening was necessary, and proximity to the public right-of-way
(ROW). The Planning Board concurred that the addition of screening
for loading bays was a good amendment.
Ms. Loomis discussed the proposed amendments to §135-5.1.13, relative to
the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Ms. Loomis noted the
4
importance of such technology, which is continually changing and
improving.
• The Planning Board took comments from Sustainable Lexington
relative to EV charging stations. A representative for Sustainable
Lexington provided input relative to the EV charging station language
and the numbers proposed.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments were
received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of February 23, 2021, or the
public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
February 24, 2021 The public hearing was continued without testimony to Wednesday, March
3, 2021, at 7:00 pm
March 3, 2021 Bob Creech, Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis
shared her screen to present the March 3, 2021 draft language of Article 44.
Mr. Creech stated that he would take public comment at the end of the
review of Article 44, while the Planning Board would provide comments
throughout the hearing.
• The Planning Board viewed each section independently, which
included a discussion on the proposed language. Sheila Page and Ms.
Loomis presented each subsection.
The Planning Board discussed the electric vehicle charging station and
infrastructure provisions, including Level One (1) vs. Level Two (2)
requirements.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments were
received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of March 3, 2021, or the
public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
March 10, 2021 Charles Hornig, Chair, opened the continued public hearing for Article 44.
Ms. Loomis presented the revised draft article based on comments from the
public hearing process, Town Counsel, and Planning Board. Ms. Loomis
said that Town Counsel Mina Makarious was present at the meeting tonight.
• The Planning Board requested clarification as to why Food Trucks
were removed.
• The Planning Board reviewed the electric vehicle (EV) charging station
language, which was amended based on the Sustainable Lexington
Committee and Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC)
meetings.
Mr. Hornig opened the floor for public comments. Public comments were
received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of March 10, 2021, or the
5
public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
Note: The Planning Board made the following amendments to Article 44
before voting on the Town Meeting recommendation.
• Article 44, Section 2, table: Board agreed to accept the change to
loading bays requirements.
• Article 44, Section 7: amend the language for EV charging stations to
reflect the language provided by Sustainable Lexington Committee.
PLANNING BOARD VOTE
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve the
motion under Article 44, as amended on March 10, 2021. Robert Creech seconded the
motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0. MOTION PASSED
Charles Hornig. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Robert Peters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Michael Schanbacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .yes
Robert Creech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Melanie Thompson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .yes
SIGNATURE OF THE PLANNING BOARD
Signatures of a majority of the Planning Board,
Charles Hornig, Chair
RECORD OF VOTE
On March 10, 2021, the Planning Board voted to allow the Planning Board Chair to sign
documents on behalf of the Planning Board.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board allow the Chair of the Planning Board to
sign all documents for the Planning Board during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Robert Creech seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-
0 (Roll Call.Robert Peters—yes;Michael Schanbacher—yes;Robert Creech —yes;
Melanie Thompson —yes; and Charles Hornig—yes). MOTION PASSED
6
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 44 AMEND ZONING BYLAW—USE AND GENERAL REGULATIONS
MOTION: That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington,be amended
as follows, where sttidek thfough text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added, except
where otherwise stated below, and further that non-substantive changes to the numbering of this
bylaw be permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the Code of the
Town of Lexington:
1. Amend §135-3.4 Table 1, Permitted Uses and Development Standards, section N, to add new rows and
modify existing rows as follows:
N. MANUFACTURING,RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,LIFE SCIENCE,AND TECHNOLOGY USES
N.1.0 AS A PRINCIPAL USE
GC RO RS RT CN CRS CS CB CLO CRO CM CSX
N.1.01 Light manufacturing N N N N N N N N N N Y N
expefimentalandt
N.1.02 f e , „N and prot,.t5Te,,but fie+ N N N N N N N N N Y Y N
the manufaeture of finished pfoduets-
Research and development R&D
N.1.03 reserved
N.1.04 Biotech manufacturing N N N N N N N N N SP Y N
N.1.05 Brewery,winery,distillery,ciders N N_ N_ N_ _N N_ _N N_ N_ N_ Y N_
N.1.06 Makerspace Y N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
2. Amend §135-5.1.5, Table of Loading Requirements, by replacing certain rows as follows:
Type of Use Loading Factor
Of e,
, f Y .A ,.,adifiar,,, 50 nnn SF
, f Y eaeh,., difiar,., 100,000 SF�h,,,-,,,,r+,,
Office uses ILess than 2,000 SF 0
2.000-150.000 SF 1
150,001-300,000 SF 2
More than 300,000 SF 3
r� , ttses
t ��1 pef eaeh ad4i4attfl! 15,00-0- S-F
Retail, shopping centers,business service uses, 15,000 to 50,000 SF 1
personal uses 150,000 to 150,000 SF 2
150,000 to 300,000 SF 3
More than 300,000 SF 4
S and 0�hef eating of feed sefviee 0
Manufacturing,research, construction, storage ILess than 150.000 SF 1
distribution and industrial service uses,research 150,001-300,000 SF 3
and development, light manufacturing
More than 300,000 SF 4
3. Amend §135-5.1.7, Preferential Rideshare Parking, as follows:
5.1.7 Preferential Rideshare Parking. To encourage the use of high-occupancy vehicles, office,
manufacturing, research, or laboratory uses of more than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area, as
defined in the parking and loading tables above, must provide preferential rideshare parking
spaces in compliance with the following standards:
1. One carpool or vanpool parking space must be provided for every 4-50 50 motor vehicle
parking spaces., with a minimum of two spaces.
2. Rideshare parking spaces may be provided by converting a parking space required by the
parking table.
3. Carpool and vanpool spaces must be signed and striped, and be located near the primary
entrance(s) of the building without displacing any handicapped parking.
2
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
4. Amend §135-5.1.8, Bicycle Parking Facilities, as follows:
1. Required spaces. In an office, manufacturing, research or laboratory use as defined in the
Table of Parking Requirements, a minimum of two bicycle parking
spaces shall be provided, and one additional bicycle parking space shall be provided for each
ilier-effieR4 a 15 motor vehicle parking spaces evef 40 vehiele spaees.
5. Amend §135-5.1.9, Location of Off-Street Parking Spaces and Loading Bays, as follows:
1. Except as provided below,Rrequired off-street parking spaces shall be provided on the same lot
as, and loading bays shall be provided next to or within the principal or accessory use they are
required to serve.
2. Except for accessible parking, required off-street parking, spaces serving a use on a lot may be
provided on a different lot, provided that:
a. the off-street parking space is dedicated to serve the use pursuant to a legal agreement in
a form acceptable to the Town; and
b. the parking space is either within 1,200 feet of the lot containing the use; or public
transportation, shuttle, car sharing, or non-motorized transportation service is available
between the off-street parking space and the use during business hours.
23. No area may be utilized and counted as both a required parking space and a required loading
bay. However, maneuvering aisles and driveways may serve both required parking and loading
bays if they meet the design standards of each. Existing areas used for both parking and loading
shall be counted for loading purposes.
34. Required off-street parking spaces or loading bays may be wholly or partly enclosed in a
structure.
45. Off-street parking spaces required for two or more buildings, uses, or establishments on a single
lot may be provided in a common lot.
6. Loading bays shall be located at the side or rear of a building.
7. Off-street surface parking spaces shown on the parking and loading plan may, with the
permission of the SPGA or Building Commissioner, be constructed following issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
6. Amend §135-5.1.13.9.c as follows:
c. Trees required by this section shall be at least three+we inches in diameter at a height four
feet above the ground at the time of planting. New trees shall be native or hybrid native
species.
To the extent practicable, existing trees shall be retained and used to satisfy this section.
3
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
7. Amend §135-5.1.13 to add new subsections as follows (new text is not underlined):
11. Electric vehicle (EV) charging. A parking lot with twenty-five (25) or more newly constructed
off-street parking spaces shall include Level 2 (or higher) electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
in a minimum of four percent(4%) of the total off-street parking spaces, but not more than the
total of the newly constructed parking spaces. In addition, the parking lot shall be constructed
with appropriate conduits and space for transformers and switchgear to allow for future
installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for a minimum of fifty (50)percent of the
total off-street parking spaces, but not more than the total of the newly constructed parking
spaces.
12. Surface parking between a building (other than a parking structure) and a public right-of-way to
which the property has direct access is not permitted, except if screened or required for
accessible and temporary parking.
8. Amend §135-9.5.5 as follows:
9.5.5 Review Standards. The Planning Board in its regulations shall establish standards for site plan
review of activities and uses not covered by §9.5.6 that will at a minimum address the following:
1. Siting of facilities;
2. Sustainable, climate-sensitive, and environmentally-conscious site Ddesign practices;
3. Open space, natural features, and the landscape, emphasizing the function of natural,
aesthetic, social, and reactional design;
4. Ecosystem function;
45. Circulation and connectivity that is safe and accessible for all;
6. Effective and efficient transportation systems and the adverse impacts of motor vehicle
transportation;
-57. Protection of surface and groundwater der quality;
68. Town character and historic significance;
�79. Impacts on public services and facilities;
-910. Signage;
-911. Safety;
site-design, and
4412. Potential adverse effects of development.
4
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
9. Amend §135-10.1, Definitions, to amend certain existing definitions as follows:
BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
A building or part thereof, for the transaction of business or the provision of services; exclusive
of the receipt, sale, storage, or processing of merchandise,but including office of a professional,
advertising, editing, composition (but not a printer), employment agency, civic or social
association, office of a manufacturer's representative or salesperson, flex office, and computer
software and technology development.
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
Fabrication, processing, clinical manufacturing, pharmaceutical contract manufacturing
outsourcing, or assembly employing only electric or other substantially noiseless and
inoffensive motive power, utilizing hand labor or quiet machinery and processes, and free from
neighborhood disturbing agents, such as odors, gas fumes, smoke, cinders, flashing, or
excessively bright lights, refuse matter, electromagnetic radiation,heat or vibration.
RESTAURANT
An establishment primarily for serving by a waiter or waitress and consumption of meals at
tables or at-a counter, on the premises. A brewpub serving at least twenty-five (25)percent of
the establishment's brewing_production capacity on-site shall be classified as a restaurant.
10. Amend §135-10.1, Definitions, to add the following new definitions (new text is not underlined):
CLINICAL MANUFACTURING
Early-stage clinical testing and manufacturing to achieve the development of drug product and
batch manufacturing.
FLEX OFFICE
A place where individual small business owners or employees, remote workers, or freelancers
can work alongside one another in a common space, or a business incubator, where
individuals working to launch a new business can rent space in which to perform office work
and access shared resources such as printers, scanners, and other tools and services such as
financial counseling and management training. A flex office may also be used for light
manufacturing or makerspace.
MAKERSPACE
A collaborative workspace inside a building or portion thereof that is used for the on-site
production of parts or finished products by an individual or shared use of hand tools,
mechanical tools, and electronic tools. Such space may allow for the design and prototyping
of new materials, fabrication methodologies, and products, as well as space for packaging,
incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products. Makerspaces may host classes or
networking events that are open either to the public or to current prospective members.
5
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
PHARMACEUTICAL CONTRACT MANUFACTURING OUTSOURCING
A business providing drug development and drug manufacturing services in the
pharmaceutical industry on a contract basis.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Research, development, and testing conducted in dry labs, wet labs, or other types of facilities
related to such fields as chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, electrical, transportation, and
engineering, which may include the development of mockups and prototypes but not the
manufacture of finished products, provided all activities are conducted within entirely
enclosed buildings and produce no noise, smoke, glare, vibration, or odor shall not be
detectable beyond the property lines of the property abutting a residential area and shall
otherwise comply with the Town's Noise Bylaw.
(03/16/2021)
6
Town of Lexington
Economic Development Advisory Committee
OS 'op .
0
APRIL 19"
MEMORANDUM
To: Lexington Select Board and Lexington Planning Board
cc: Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director; Casey Hagerty, Economic Development
Coordinator; Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director
From: Economic Development Advisory Committee
RE: EDAC Town Meeting Article Positions
Date: March 18, 2021
Article 44
The Economic Development Advisory Committee reviewed the Annual Town Meeting 2021
Article 44 at their meeting on March 18, 2021. A motion to recommend approval of Article 44 to
the Select Board and Planning Board by the committee was made by Mr. DeAngelis and
seconded by Mr. Pronchick. The motion was approved 5-0 and 1 absentee by a roll call vote.
+� Town of Lexington
PLANNING BOARD Charles Hornig,Chair
Robert D.Peters,Vice Chair
+ 1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Michael Schanbacher,Clerk
i c Lexington,MA 02420 Robert Creech,Member
� f Tel(781)698-4560 Melanie Thompson,Member
r rLu9�, planningglexinetonma.ov Michael Leon,Associate
ki www.lexin tog nma.gov/planning
RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF THE LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD
TO THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF 2021
DATES LEGAL NOTICE PUBLISHED IN January 14, 2021, and January 21, 2021, Boston Globe;
THE NEWSPAPER and January 21, 2 02 1, and January 28, 2 02 1, in the
Lexington Minuteman Newspaper
DATE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED February 4 2021
DATES OF CONTINUED PUBLIC February 17, 2021; February 23, 2021; February 24,
HEARINGS 2021 (continued without testimony); March 3, 2021;
March 10, 2021
DATE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED March 10, 2021
DATE THE PLANNING BOARD VOTED A March 10, 2021
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION Approval
PRESENTERS WHO APPEARED DURING Charles Hornig, Member; Sandhya Iyer, Economic
THE PUBLIC HEARINGS Development Director; Sheila Page, Assistant Planning
Director; and Amanda Loomis, Planning Director
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS WHO Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-chair;
VOTED ON THE ARTICLE Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; and Robert Creech; and
Melanie Thompson
RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Board unanimously recommends that Town Meeting APPROVE the motion
under Article 45.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, Lexington commenced an effort to develop a path forward to reenergize the
Hartwell Avenue-Bedford Street area as a mixed-use, economically viable area through
redevelopment and increased uses permitted by-right. Staff from the Land Use, Health, and
Development Department and the Sustainability Director worked in concert with public
members to develop the Hartwell Innovation Park (C-HIP) Zoning District.
In the fall of 2020, during Special Town Meeting, the Town voted to approve Article 16,
which allowed for increased density, requirements for sustainability efforts for buildings of a
certain height, and several design standards. The Staff has utilized and incorporated the
language approved in Article 16 into Article 45 for Annual Town Meeting.
In February of 2021, the Planning Board commenced the public hearing process built upon
Staffs public engagement sessions from September of 2020 through January 2021. The
Planning Board and Staff are incredibly grateful for all of the public comments received for
Articles 44 and 45. Although not all comments received were incorporated, all comments did
strengthen or improve other sections of these Articles.
DESCRIPTION
The motion under Article 45 proposes the following changes:
• Clear expectations for the Hartwell Innovation Park(C-HIP) Zoning Districts,
guiding both developers in developing project plans and the Planning Board when
making decisions.
• The development of Planning Board Regulations and C-HIP Design Guidelines.
These documents will further guide developers by setting clear project expectations,
against which the Planning Board and Staff will review projects.
• The inclusion of Development Standards to establish a framework for all C-HIP
projects as basic minimums. Development Standards include building height, design
mixture for diversity, site layout, outdoor amenities, surface off-street parking and
loading, site circulation, sustainable and net neutral environmental impacts,
infrastructure and utilities.
• Design requirements that aid in the activation of street frontages and increase
pedestrian activity while promoting alternative transportation options.
• A requirement that the entire project site be sustainable, including Low Impact
Development(LID) practices; best management practices in landscape design; green
site design features to reduce adverse impacts to the environment and public while
aiding in the mitigation and management of stormwater; and site design that manages
and protects the natural environment, thermal pollution, and non-point and point
source pollution.
• Many of the Development Standards include clear Goals for each topic. Many
amenities are desirable,but cannot be required due to conflict with the State Building
Code. Such goals set the Town's expectations for developers to exceed minimum
requirements.
• The requirement for a regular review of the C-HIP District and the Lexington Zoning
map by July 1, 2025 (this can commence before July 1, 2021,but not after December
31, 2025). A yearly review of the Planning Board Regulations and C-HIP Design
Guidelines will ensure these remain up to date.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS
Due to COVID-19,public hearings for Article 45 were held via Zoom. The Planning Board
held six (6)public hearings for Article 45. At the February 4th, February 17`h, February 23`d
2
February 241h (continued without testimony) public hearings, Bob Creech, Chair; Robert
Peters, Vice-Chair; Ginna Johnson, Clerk; Charles Hornig; Richard Canale were present. On
March 3rd and March 10`h, Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael
Schanbacher, Clerk; Robert Creech; and Melanie Thompson were present and were the
voting members. Michael Leon was also present for the public hearing process as the
Associate Member.
Wi
February 4, 2021 Bob Creech, Chair, opened the public hearing. Ms. Loomis presented a
PowerPoint presentation for the proposed Article 45. Article 45 would
add a new zoning district(Hartwell Innovation Park(C-HIP)).
Mr. Creech requested comments from the Planning Board. The
following comments were received.
• The Planning Board discussed the importance of sustainability and
the preservation of the Town's character.
• The Planning Board discussed the proposed sixty(60) day review
timeline for projects. In some cases, outside experts may be required
for certain areas of review. There is a need for predictability for
developers as to the expectations of the Planning Board.
• Members of the Planning Board discussed signage and what was
necessary for development projects within the proposed C-HIP
District.
• The Planning Board discussed the need for additional time to review
comments received and proposed amendments.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments
were received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of February 4, 2021,
or the public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
February17 2021 Bob Creech Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis
> P P g
briefly presented amendments made to Article 45 since the February 4th
public hearing. Ms. Loomis highlighted sections that were amended and
requested a discussion for each item by the Planning Board.
First, Ms. Loomis presented the amendments made to the front setbacks
and of the Dimensional Table.
• The Planning Board discussed requiring a ten (10) foot front
setback from the public right-of-way(ROW). There were
statements of concern that without such a ten (10) foot setback
that developers would not meet the expectations of the Town's
vision. Furthermore, the Planning Board requested clarification
about what was envisioned for the transportation improvement
project within the public ROW in Hartwell Street. After an in-
depth conversation, the Planning Board agreed to add a ten (10)
foot wide front setback. Members of the public agree with such a
requirement.
3
The Planning Board briefly discussed the allowed height of a
structure within the C-HIP District. It was noted that at the Fall
Town Meeting of 2020, under Article 16, the maximum height
was increased from sixty-five (65) feet to one-hundred and
fifteen (115)feet. Buildings at the allowed maximum height will
be five (5) to six (6) stories if the goal remains to attract life
sciences that need taller ceiling heights and rooftop mechanical
equipment.
Ms. Loomis presented amendments made to § 7.5.4 Development
Standards, which included an introduction statement to encourage
developers to go beyond what we were requesting.
Ms. Loomis presented the change regarding Circulation, which was
added back to Article 45 for scope purposes. Pedestrian and bicycle
routes and amenities would be physically separated from internal drives,
driveways, maneuvering aisles, and off-street parking spaces.
• The Planning Board discussed the need for more than a four(4)
foot-wide sidewalk separation for pedestrians and bicyclist safety
and support such amendments to this sub-section.
Ms. Loomis presented the amendment for Trees and Stormwater in
§7.5.4.6.c. Such amendments were discussed with Town Counsel. The
said conversation would be better to address trees and stormwater
through the General Bylaws.
A member of the Planning Board presented changes to §7.5.4.6,
Alternative Energy, Sustainability, and Best Management Practices,
based on a meeting with some committee members on sustainability,
Boston Properties and a Select Board member.
The Planning Board discussed the proposed language. It was noted
multiple times that such language developed outside of the planning or
public hearing process went well beyond land use and zoning issues and
was entering into building and building code issues. Such language
could result in the Town's Zoning Bylaws being inconsistent with the
State's emerging building code requirements.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments
were received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of February 17,
2021, or the public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
February 23, 2021 Present for the public hearing: Attorney Mina Makarious, Town Counsel
Bob Creech, Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis
presented revisions made to Article 45. The changes were based on the
public hearings, public information meetings, and letters of comment
from the public.
Ms. Loomis presented amendments made to §7.5.4.7 Sustainable
Building and Site Design. It was noted that one (1) of the goals of the C-
HIP was to focus on all aspects of sustainability, encourage new
4
sustainable development, and allow for flexibility of type redevelopment
vs. new construction.
Attorney Makarious said there were some limitations on the Town's
ability to require building-specific sustainability measures.
• The Planning Board requested clarification regarding the
proposed language. It was further discussed LEED Silver vs.
Gold. Several Planning Board members liked the proposed
language, where such a framework should be regulatory and not
in the bylaws and would provide flexibility. Still, the
measurement method was not going to be established today for
the next ten (10) years.
Ms. Loomis presented the Dimensional Table changes for the minimum
lot frontage in feet and the incentive to create a first-floor amenity space
for street activation.
• The Planning Board requested clarification regarding the fifty
(50) vs. one-hundred and twenty-five (125) vs. one-hundred and
fifty(150) foot frontage requirement.
• The Planning Board discussed the allowed heights of buildings
and what would be allowed on the roof, in addition to what uses
were expected to occupy the first floor relative to the proposed
incentive.
Ms. Loomis presented amendments to §7.5.1 Purpose and Intent and
§7.5.4.2.c.
• Members of the Planning Board felt the amendments to
§7.5.4.2.c. were good but needed additional review on how such
amendments would impact shared parking structures.
Ms. Loomis presented the new language in §7.5.3 Design Regulations
and Guidelines. Such amendment would put all references to the
Planning Board Regulations and C-HIP Design Guidelines in one
location to make it clear.
Ms. Loomis presented additional landscaping and tree requirements.
Ms. Loomis presented an amendment to §7.5.7 Hartwell Avenue
Innovation Park Review.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments
were received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of February 23,
2021, or the public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
February 24, 2021 The public hearing was continued without testimony to Wednesday,
March 3, 2021, at 7:00 pm.
March 3, 2021 Present for the public hearing, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development
Director
Bob Creech, Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms. Loomis
shared her screen to present the March 3, 2021 draft language of Article
5
45. The Planning Board viewed each section independently, which
included a discussion on the proposed language.
Ms. Loomis stated that the proposed amendments presented are based on
public comments received during the public hearing process. Ms.
Loomis stated that all provisions relative to sustainability from Article
16 remain and have been improved upon.
Ms. Iyer provided a background of the market and the need for Article
45.
Charles Hornig provided a review of the provision relative to the
additional review of uses within the C-HIP. The Planning Board further
supported the need to add new uses only in the C-HIP District. It was
noted that such review of uses would require a special permit, a four-
fifths vote to allow such new use.
The Planning Board reviewed the proposed amendments to the Table of
Uses.
The Planning Board reviewed the proposed Zoning Map.
Mr. Creech opened the floor for public comments. Public comments
were received and reviewed in the meeting minutes of March 3, 2021, or
the public hearing can be viewed on LexMedia.
March 10, 2021 Present for the public hearing: Attorney Mina Makarious, Town
Counsel; and Sandhya 1yer, Economic Development Director
Charles Hornig, Chair, opened the continued public hearing. Ms.
Loomis presented the revised draft article based on comments from the
public hearing process, Town Counsel, Planning Board, and other
stakeholders.
• The Planning Board reviewed the amendments that were
previously circulated. It was noted that there were several
proposed amendments circulated earlier in the day based on
meetings of the Sustainable Lexington Committee and
Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC).
• Mr. Schanbacher asked for clarification if the applicant would
only be required to show that the project could be LEED-
certified but not be certified.
Note: The Planning Board made the following amendments to Article 45
before voting on the Town Meeting recommendation.
• Article 45, Section 2—Table of Use: Request to amend and clean up
before sending to Town Meeting.
• Article 45, Section 3 - Schedule of Dimensional Controls:
Amendments proposed by Sustainable Lexington for foot note (i)
7.5.4.1, which referred a read to all the restrictions, is not necessary
and may create confusion since not all sections are referenced.
• Article 45, Section 7: The Planning Board discussed the wording
6
regarding LEED gold and silver standards requirements to clarify the
expectations. Based on such conversation, the Sustainable Checklist
and LEED Silver would achieve more than LEED Gold in the form
suggested by Sustainable Lexington.
PLANNING BOARD VOTE
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting approve the
motion under Article 45, as amended on March 10, 2021. Robert Creech seconded the
motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0. MOTION PASSED
Charles Hornig. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Robert Peters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Michael Schanbacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .yes
Robert Creech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yes
Melanie Thompson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .yes
SIGNATURE OF THE PLANNING BOARD
Signatures of a majority of the Planning Board,
Af
Charles Hornig, Chair
RECORD OF VOTE
On March 10, 2021, the Planning Board voted to allow the Planning Board Chair to sign
documents on behalf of the Planning Board.
Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board vote to allow the Chair of the Planning Board to
sign all documents for the Planning Board during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Robert
Creech seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll
Call: Robert Peters—yes;Michael Schanbacher—yes; Robert Creech —yes;Melanie
Thompson—yes; and Charles Hornig—yes). MOTION PASSED
7
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 45 AMEND ZONING BYLAW & ZONING MAP—
HARTWELL INNOVATION PARK
MOTION: That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, be amended as
follows, where stM e'r thfauo text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added, except where
otherwise stated below, and further that non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be
permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the Code of the Town of
Lexington:
1. Amend §135-2.2.3, Commercial Districts, by adding anew Hartwell Innovation Park(C-HIP) District
as follows:
CN Neighborhood Business
CRS Retail Shopping
CS Service Business
CB Central Business
CLO Local Office
CRO Regional Office
CM Manufacturing
CSX Commercial Service Expanded
C-HIP Hartwell Innovation Park
2. Amend §135-3.4 Table 1, Permitted Uses and Development Standards, by adding anew C-HIP
column as follows:
[Please see end of this document for Table of Use amendments]
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
3. Amend §135-4.0 Table 2, Schedule of Dimensional Controls,by adding anew C-HIP column as
follows:
Table 2
CHIP
Minimum lot area 20,000 SF
Minimum lot frontage in feet 125
Minimum front yard in feet(a), (b) 10
Minimum side yard in feet 1
Minimum rear yard in feet 1
Minimum side and rear yard adjacent to a residential district in 25
feet
Maximum nonresidential floor area ratio (FAR) NR
Maximum site coverage NR
Public and institutional buildings, maximum height:
In stories: NR i
In feet: 115 i
Other buildings, maximum height:
In stories: NR i
In feet: 115 t i
4. Amend §135-4.0 Table 2, Schedule of Dimensional Controls,by adding new footnotes as follows
(new text is not underlined):
i. See §7.5.4.1.
j. Required lot frontage may be decreased to a minimum of fifty(50) feet when a property is
accessed by a drive alley, shared curb cut, or shared driveway,provided it has been designed to
accommodate the Lexington Fire Department's largest fire apparatus.
5. Amend the table of parking space requirements in §135-5.1.11.3 by adding anew C-HIP row as
follows:
Residential All Other Lot Wall of a Principal
District Line Street Line Lines Building
District (feet) (feet) (feet) (feet)
RS, RO, RT N/A 25 5 5
RD N/A 25 8 5
CRO, CLO 50* 50 10 5
CM 50* 25 N/A N/A
C-HIP 15 15 N/A 5
2
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
Residential All Other Lot Wall of a Principal
District Line Street Line Lines Building
District (feet) (feet) (feet) (feet)
CRS, CS, CB, CN 20* 10 N/A 5
GC 0 25 5 5
CSX 20* 10 N/A 5
6. Amend §135-5.2.8.3 as follows:
Standing signs. In particular instances the SPGA may issue special permits for standing signs
in accordance with §5.2.10, if it is determined that the architecture of the building, the
location of the building with reference to the street, or the nature of the establishment is such
that the sign should be permitted in the public interest. No establishment shall be permitted
more than one standing sign other than signs directing traffic flow. In the C-HIP, CM-' and
CRO Districts, one standing sign,not to exceed 50 square feet in area and five feet in height,
shall be permitted by right on each lot.
7. Amend the table of required transition depths in §135-5.3., by adding new "C-HIP"rows and columns
as follows:
Adjacent District
District In
Which Lot is
Located GC RO RS RT RD CN CRS CS CSX CB CLO CRO CM C-HIP
GC 20 20 20 20
RO 25* 25* 25* 10* 15 15 20 20 20 20 15
RS 25* 25* 25* 10* 15 15 20 15 20
RT 25* 25* 25* 10* 10 10 10
RD 20* 20* 20* 20* 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 15
CN 20 20 20 20 10 15 20
CRS 20 20 20 20 10 15 10
CS 20 20 20 20 15 15 15
CSX 20 20 20 20 15 15
CB 20 20
CLO 50 50 50 50 10 10 10
CRO 50 50
3
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
Adjacent District
District In
Which Lot is
Located GC RO RS RT RD CN CRS CS CSX CB CLO CRO CM C-HIP
CM 50 50
C-HIP 25 25
(*)No requirement for an individual dwelling.
8. Add a new §7.5 as follows (new text is not underlined):
7.5 Hartwell Innovation Park(C-HIP District)
7.5.1 Purpose and Intent
The Hartwell Innovation Park(C-HIP District), one of Lexington's major employment
centers,possesses excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs and well-established
businesses that promote diversity for industries such as technology, light manufacturing,
research and development, and supporting businesses. The C-HIP District rejuvenates an
existing economic center by balancing a by-right permitting process for desired uses and
aggressive dimensional standards with strict adherence to sustainable building practices,
design guidelines, and other regulations.
7.5.2 Compliance
Projects within the C-HIP District shall comply with this section. Wherever a conflict
exists between two sections of this Bylaw, this §7.5 shall prevail.
7.5.3 Design Regulations and Guidelines
The Planning Board shall promulgate, after public notice and hearing, Planning Board
Regulations and C-HIP Design Guidelines to effectuate the purposes and intent of this
section. The Planning Board Regulations and the C-HIP Design Guidelines shall guide
Applicants when planning development and redevelopment projects. Such Planning
Board Regulations and C-HIP Guidelines shall provide requirements and guidance for,
among other things, designing sustainable projects, outdoor amenity space, landscaping,
site layout and design, and low energy device utilization.
7.5.4 Development Standards
The following C-HIP Development Standards are intended to promote development that
incorporates the design characteristics of a contemporary business park; is adaptive to
various commercial, office, life/science, R&D, and high-tech uses; and integrates
sustainable materials and best practices. These Development Standards shall be utilized
for new construction, including additions or major renovations to existing structures.
Where a project proposes a major renovation of a section of a building, the unrenovated
4
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
portion of the existing building and parking shall not be required to comply with these
Development Standards.
1. Building Heights,
Goal: The C-HIP defines expectations for new development, allowing for flexibility,
and fostering high-quality, sustainable design, as follows:
a. The difference between the upper elevation of each segment of a building or
structure and the centerline grade of any street or bikeway shall be no greater
than the distance from that segment to the centerline of a street multiplied by
1.0 or to the centerline of the Minuteman Bikeway multiplied by 2.0.
b. Portions of buildings within fifty(50) feet of a residential zoning district are
limited to fifty (50) feet in height.
c. Buildings that are not designed to meet the requirements to demonstrate
certifiability at the Silver level using the LEED v4 for Building Design and
Construction: Core and Shell checklist, as outlined by the U. S. Green
Building Council, are limited to sixty-five (65) feet in height.
d. Buildings utilizing on-site combustion for HVAC system operation are limited
to six (6) stories.
2. Design Mixture for Diversity.
Goal: The C-HIP requires design methods or strategies that ensure opportunity for
small and large-scale commercial and industrial development through a diversity of
building sizes and a mixture of uses.
a. The first floor of facades facing a public right-of-way shall be varied to ensure
the design promotes activity and decrease building scale at the pedestrian
level.
b. Portions of the first floors of buildings facing a street shall be designed to
accommodate uses that interact with the streetscape.
c. The first and top floors of parking structures shall be designed with ceiling
heights that are adaptable to create usable space (ex. flex space, conference
area, fitness centers,recreation space, office space,retail, etc.) should the
building use no longer require the use of parking on those floors.
d. Parking structures shall not be allowed directly on Hartwell Avenue or
Bedford Street, unless the first floor facing the public right of way is for
commercial uses that interact with the streetscape.
3. Site Layout.
Goal: Site design and layout should foster the development of components for a
contemporary business park development. Planning and design of the development
5
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
site should provide an approach that adapts the development program and site
requirements to the characteristics and constraints of the site.
a. Bedford Street front yard. Along the southwesterly side of Bedford Street
there shall be a front yard of 70 feet measured from the base line of Bedford
Street as shown on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts layout 4689, dated
June 3, 1958, and shown as auxiliary base line "F" on the State Highway
Alteration layout 5016, dated August 30, 1960.
b. Pedestrian Connectivity. Properties containing multiple structures shall
incorporate accessible sidewalks, skybridges,pedestrian bridges, pathways,
and other connections, to establish a walkable campus compliant with 521
CMR.
4. Outdoor amenities.
Goal: The goal for outdoor amenity space in the C-HIP is to create a broad range of
quality private and publicly-oriented open spaces that contribute to the vitality of the
district and provide opportunities for employees, visitors, and residents to enjoy
passive and active recreational spaces.
a. At least 15% of the developable site area of each lot shall be devoted to
outdoor amenities, including but not limited to courtyards, street-side or
rooftop terraces,plazas, and habitat areas.
i. When a Conservation Restriction is granted for the area within the
developable site area, such area shall be counted towards the outdoor
amenity space.
ii. Rooftop terraces, balconies, and other outdoor amenities attached
structurally to a building shall only be counted for a maximum of fifty
(50)percent of the required outdoor amenities.
b. Outdoor amenities may be available for use by the general public or private to
a specific user or users.
c. If multiple lots share outdoor amenity areas subject to a written agreement, the
outdoor amenity requirement shall be reduced to ten percent (10%).
5. Surface Off-street Parking and Loading.
a. Surface off-street parking located within fifty(50) feet of a residential district
line, street line, natural area, or wetland area shall be separated from such area
by a fifteen (15) foot buffer for the planting of native or hybrid native trees
with a size minimum three (3) inch caliper tree every thirty(30) feet.
b. The total number and size of loading bays, per §5.1.5, may be reduced
through a request to the Planning Board during site plan review when a
6
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
decrease in size or number of loading bays furthers the purposes of this
section.
6. Site Circulation.
Goal: The purpose is to enhance the relationship and design of buildings,parking, site
circulation, open spaces, and the interface with other buildings and properties in the
C-HIP District.
a. Pedestrian and bicycle routes and amenities shall be physically separated from
internal drives, driveways, maneuvering aisles, and off-street parking spaces.
7. Sustainable and Net Neutral Environmental Impacts
Goal: Lexington is committed to being a leader in sustainability through Town-wide
efforts to achieve net-zero, carbon-neutral, and low impact design for all development
to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the community and environment. The goal
is to incorporate climate-sensitive and environmentally-conscious design
considerations to create healthier, more productive, and more sustainable places to
live and work.
a. Sustainable Site Design. All projects shall demonstrate to the greatest extent
feasible the utilization of the Low Impact Development(LID),best
management landscape design, and green site design features to reduce
adverse impacts to the environment and public while aiding in the mitigation
and management of stormwater, site design that manages and protects natural
constraints, thermal pollution, and non-point and point source pollution.
b. Sustainability Checklist. Regardless of the height and waivers granted herein,
all projects are expected to meet requirements for sustainable design, water
efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, landscaping, and
indoor environmental quality. The Planning Board shall promulgate
regulations requiring applicants to submit plans and a narrative description
prepared by an engineer, architect, or landscape architect licensed in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts that indicates to what extent the project will
meet the Town's sustainability performance objectives.
8. Infrastructure and Utilities.
a. Roofs within the C-HIP District shall be designed to hold rooftop mechanical
equipment to the extent practicable. Where space exists, vacant roof space
shall be utilized for best practice sustainable features such as equipment for
alternative energy generation or stormwater collection and retention.
b. All rooftop equipment shall be screened and shall not be visible from the
ground except for Solar Energy Systems, which do not require screening.
7
Town of Lexington
Motion
2021 Annual Town Meeting
c. All electric power lines and communication lines shall be placed underground.
Utility equipment shall be screened from the public view using architectural
forms, fencing, or landscape materials.
d. Utility areas for electrical transformers, switch boxes, and other associated
utility cabinets shall be designed to accommodate future expansion of services
to meet the demands for future Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers and other
sustainable infrastructure as demand grows.
7.5.5 Special Permit.
The SPGA may grant a special permit modifying the requirements of§7.5.
7.5.6 Hartwell Innovation Park Review
The Planning Board shall perform a review of the C-HIP District and the Lexington
Zoning Map commencing no later than July 1, 2025, and to be concluded by December
31, 2025, and every five (5) years thereafter. Furthermore, the Planning Board shall
conduct an annual review of Planning Board Regulations and Guidelines associated with
the C-HIP District.
9. Amend §135-9.5.2.1.a and §135-9.5.2.1.b by adding "(5000 square feet in the C-HIP District)" at the
end of each provision.
10. Amend the Zoning Map for the Town of Lexington to rezone the following areas into the C-HIP
District:
1. The entire Manufacturing (CM) District except for lot 11 on assessor's map 12 and lot I on
assessor's map 19;
2. Lots 55A, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60A, 61, 62A, 63A, 65, 66, 67, and 68 on assessor's map 84;
3. The rights of way of Garwood Avenue and Maywood Street; and
4. Lot 9 on assessor's map 80.
[Please see end of this document for Table of Use amendments]
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Town of Lexington
Economic Development Advisory Committee
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MEMORANDUM
To: Lexington Select Board and Lexington Planning Board
cc: Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director; Casey Hagerty, Economic Development
Coordinator; Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director
From: Economic Development Advisory Committee
RE: EDAC Town Meeting Article Positions
Date: March 18, 2021
Article 45
The Economic Development Advisory Committee reviewed the Annual Town Meeting 2021
Article 45 at their meeting on March 18, 2021. A motion to recommend approval of Article 45 as
written including the changes to the Table of Use to the Select Board and Planning Board by the
committee was made by Mr. DeAngelis and seconded by Mr. McWeeney. The motion was
approved 5-0 and 1 absentee by a roll call vote.