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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-14-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2021 Minutes of the Lexington Planning Board Held on April 14th, 2021, Virtual Meeting per Governor Baker’s Order at 6:34 pm Present: Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice-Chair; Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; Melanie Thompson; and Robert Creech. Also present were Amanda Loomis, Planning Director and Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director and Molly Belanger, Planner. Mr. Hornig stated that this remote participation meeting was being held in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law to allow remote participation during the State of Emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Mr. Hornig provided instructions to members of the public, who were watching or listening to the meeting via the Zoom application, regarding the process for making a public comment. ******************** DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************* 30 Colony Road Adequacy Determination Waiver Request: Ms. Belanger explained that she and Engineering went to inspect the road, only a small improvement for curbing was needed, and that if the applicant agreed to fix the curbing then both Engineering and Planning supported this waiver. Mr. Hornig asked for clarification as the application stated the applicant did not believe curbing was necessary and intended to leave the curbing as is. He asked if staff was good with that. Ms. Belanger said she spoke with the applicant and he was good with repairing the pavement and would submit another statement that he would repair the curbing. Mr. Peters would be comfortable approving the waiver if the applicant repaired the pavement. Ms. Thompson, Mr. Schanbacher, and Mr. Creech agreed with Mr. Peters. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board waive the street adequacy determination on the condition that the buyer of the property reinstall the curbing of the driveways between the properties of 30 and 32 Colony Road with measures to improve the longevity of this section of curbing. Melanie Thompson seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech – yes, Melanie Thompson - yes). MOTION PASSED Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 14, 2021 *****************************TOWN MEETING********************************** Discussion and Review Warrant Determine Positions on Town Meeting Articles: There were none that the Board wanted to discuss at this time. *************************BOARD ADMINISTRATION**************************** Staff Updates: Ms. Page said that the MBTA was proposing improvements to the bus stops along Wood Street with some extra ramps and crosswalk improvements. The Transportation Safety Group, in conjunction with the MBTA, will hold a public meeting on April 28, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. A mailing will go out to the abutters. Board Member Updates: Mr. Peters said the working group for the Vision for Lexington survey is beginning to work on the questions for the next survey. He asked if the Planning Board would like to have them include questions related to increased density in the bus transit corridors and asked the Board to have a discussion at the next meeting. Ms. Thompson was at the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and they are interested in getting feedback on information when discussing either new residential units or large number of square foot commercial units that would impact parking, traffic, and transportation. Mr. Creech said he attended a MAGIC breakfast meeting. They discussed the need to electrify the commuter railroad over time and sustainability. Review of Meeting Minutes March 31 and April 5, 2021: Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board approve the meeting minutes of the March 31 and April 5, 2021 meetings as distributed. Bob Creech seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED The Planning Board recessed from 6:48 until 7:00 p.m. ******************** DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION************************* PUBLIC HEARING 109 Reed Street (Kay Tiffany Way) Waiver Request for Approved Subdivision: Mr. Hornig opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Present was Michael Novak, engineer and Todd Cataldo, applicant. Mr. Novak presented the three (3) waivers they were requesting. Ms. Loomis asked, if the sidewalk was removed, could the pathway from the cul-de-sac to Essex Street be built to allow for connectivity for the residents of Kay Tiffany Way to the bikeway Minutes for the Meeting of April 14, 2021 Page 3 without having to go onto the road? Mr. Cataldo said that if he had to choose between the sidewalk in the agreement and a path to Essex Street., he would choose the sidewalk. Board Comments and Questions:  Mr. Peters asked if his arborist looked at the trees with exposed roots and if they had a likely hood of surviving if not further disturbed. Mr. Cataldo said he felt if they eliminated the sidewalk they would have a reasonable success to thrive there. Mr. Peters asked for any comments or suggestions he had to staff comments on a proposed pathway. Mr. Cataldo said if he had to do one or the other he would put the sidewalk in.  Ms. Thompson asked for some updated pictures. Ms. Thompson asked if he planned on having an arborist give an expert opinion on the tree roots. Mr. Cataldo said he could, but he has a lot of experience on this and felt they would survive and an arborist would not be able to guarantee their survival.  Mr. Schanbacher asked for the location of the sidewalks in relation to the red stakes in the photo.  Mr. Creech said a Reed Street resident requested a sidewalk or path be preserved there. The elevation near the trees has changed by the project excavation. Is there any reason the sidewalk cannot be raised?  Mr. Hornig asked for clarification for the location of the sidewalk in comparison to the stakes shown in the picture. Mr. Cataldo said it would be seven (7) feet to the right of the stakes which would be the edge of the sidewalk. Mr. Hornig asked when you prepare the sidewalk how deep down do you have to disturb to set the drainage properly. Mr. Novak provided that information. Audience Comments:  There is no sidewalk and it would be great to have one. The trees would have a hard time if the sidewalk is built. Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board continue the public hearing to April 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech – yes; Melanie Thompson- yes). MOTION PASSED Robert Peters moved that the Planning Board adjourn the meeting of April 14, 2021. Melanie Thompson seconded the motion. The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0 (Roll call: Robert Peters – yes; Melanie Thompson – yes; Michael Schanbacher – yes; Charles Hornig – yes; Robert Creech - yes). MOTION PASSED Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of April 14, 2021 The following documents used at the meeting can be found on the Planning Board website in Planning Board packets. Colony Road:  Applicant Memo to the Planning Board (17 pages).  Waiver Request Form (1 page).  Staff Memo to Planning Board dated March 31, 2021 ( 2 pages). 109 Reed Street:  From B application dated March 15, 2021 (5 pages).  Plan set dated March 15, 2021 (1 page).  Application for Waivers (1 page).  Photos (2 pages).  Cover Letter from Applicant (1 page). Michael Schanbacher, Clerk of the Planning Board