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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2005
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room 218, Town Office Building, was called
to order at 7:35 p.m. by acting Chairman Harden with members Hornig, Galaitsis, Manz and planning
staff McCall-Taylor present.
A concurrent meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Krieger
with members Pagett, Kelly, Cohen and Manz present.
**************************** PLANNING BOARD VACANCY ***************************
The Board of Selectmen and Planning Board met together to interview candidates to fill the vacancy on
the Planning Board created by the resignation of Karl Kastorf. They began by discussing what questions
they would ask the candidates.
Ms. Ginna Johnson was invited in to talk with the board members. She briefly outlined her experience as
a landscape architect, how she came to settle in Lexington, and her appreciation for the quality
environment that the town has worked hard to create. She said that she had particular interests in public
transportation and affordable housing and described what skills she could bring to the Planning Board,
commenting on some recent cases before the Planning Board and giving examples of the kinds of issues
and solutions she might suggest.
Mr. Richard Canale was the other candidate interviewed by the boards. He said that in his previous time
on the Planning Board he had been fairly parochial in his outlook but based on that experience and
subsequent volunteer activities he has a more regional focus. He had a list of items that he thought the
Planning Board should act upon including inclusionary housing, scenic roads, and center parking. When
asked, he said he expected to continue his current roles in various regional transportation and planning
organizations. He stated that Hanscom would be the most important issue before the Planning Board in
the next year, whether or not the Air Force base was slated for closure.
The board members discussed the two candidates, expressing regret that both could not appointed to serve
on the Planning Board as they brought strong but different qualities. The members of the Board of
Selectmen indicated that they would follow the wishes of the Planning Board members as to which of the
candidates should be appointed. In the end the majority of members supported Mr. Canale based on his
extensive involvement with Hanscom issues. The members were polled, with eight indicating support of
Mr. Canale, and one (Mr. Hornig) supporting Ms. Johnson.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING ************************
Article 9 – Waltham Street Rezoning – Mr. Galaitsis said that while he had concerns about the height, he
felt that the use, location, and offered mitigations were appropriate. Ms. Manz said that she had been
swayed by the fact that the residential development behind this site towers over even a three-story
building. On the motion of Mr. Hornig, Ms. Manz seconding, the Board voted 4 to 0 to support Article 9.
Article 10 – Accessory Apartments – Mr. Hornig pointed out a few changes that remained to be made in
the motion that would be placed before Town Meeting and then moved to recommend the article to Town
Meeting. Ms. Manz seconded the motion and the Board voted 3 to 1 in favor. Mr. Galaitsis voted in
opposition.
Article 4 – Battle Green Inn – Mr. Harden reported on a meeting he had with the owner and architect this
afternoon. After pricing out the changes that had been made since the initial filing, the applicant had
concerns about the financial well being of the project. In order to have a project that would be more
fundable by a bank, the applicant is seeking to add up to three more units within the proposed envelope.
He will be including up to 40 units in the revised PSDUP that will be filed at least a week before Town
Minutes for the Meeting of March 10, 2005 2
Meeting. Mr. Galaitsis said that the site is already over-designed at 37 units and he would not support
this. After further discussion, Mr. Hornig moved, with Ms. Manz second, that the Board recommend
approval of the rezoning conditioned upon the current proposed envelope being unchanged, that there
would be no more than 40 units, and that there would be four affordable units with acceptable
affordability restrictions. The vote was 3 to 1 with Mr. Galaitsis in opposition.
Article 5 – Center Parking – There was considerable discussion on the draft report. Mr. Hornig said that
he wanted the report to have the slant that the change may make parking worse but it will be worth it
while further work is done on the parking problem in the down town. Mr. Harden suggested that the
report also try to address Mr. Bussgang’s list of points against the proposal. The members agreed to put
off the vote until next week so that Ms. Manz would have time to redraft the report.
****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *******************
The Moderator had asked for a Planning Board representative to attend the Moderator’s session for new
Town Meeting members on March 15. Mr. Hornig agreed to represent the Board as he would already be
there in his role as chair of the Town Meeting Members Association.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
Wendy Manz, Clerk