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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-09-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2009 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building, and called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Chairman Zurlo with members Manz, Canale, Hornig and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Galaitsis was absent. ********************************CENTER COMMITTEE******************************** Jerry Michelson and Susan Yanofsky were present to continue the discussion on zoning issues in the Center. Mr. Michelson said the Center Committee has met once and will meet one more time before the warrant closes for the 2010 Spring Town Meeting. The following issues were still on the table: parking; signage; height; and, refining food definitions that impact other zones in town. Ms. Yanofsky said that the parking bylaws need to be reviewed to see if the factors were still accurate and also to discuss shared parking. A grant for technical assistance to create a parking management plan was applied for and a response should be received in January. The zoning bylaw referenced two provisions regarding shared parking and perhaps the language could be reworked. The Center Committee would like to look at blade signs and standing signs and review the four sign definitions currently in the bylaws. Board Comments: ? The Planning Board was taking on clean up issues regarding special permits and food classification; ? Height and parking should go together and would be too much to take on for the 2010 Annual Town Meeting; ? Signs could possibly be addressed to allow blade signs in the center; ? If there were specific issues from specific problems, those could be addressed, but no specific issues have been presented; ? The January 14 Battle Road Scenic Byway (BRSB) meeting highlighting the byway resources would have the Lexington Center revitalization as a major piece. The Center Committee could start to frame out some questions and apply for visioning funds ? The Center Committee should crystallize specific issues and work on them over the next year. Mr. Michelson asked if the Board could work on changing the zoning bylaw. Ms. McCall-Taylor responded not for 2010 Annual Town Meeting as the warrant closed in three weeks, but the Board could review issues over the year. Ms. Yanofsky said there was lots of confusion with the zoning bylaw language. A quick cleanup of the bylaws with change of definitions and addressing signs since they were the primary issue sited by businesses in the community would be helpful. At this point it would be a two 2 Minutes for the Meeting of December 9, 2009 Page month process to go before the ZBA and Historic Commission for any signage change. A big overhaul of the zoning bylaw and creating a vision for the Center would be a long-term project and should be considered for 2011 or 2012, as it was too late now for anything unless it was super simple. A st Board member suggested that the Center Committee look at what the Town Center should be for the 21 century and move forward with a more futurist vision for the Center, not an idealistic view from the past. Mr. Zurlo said the Board would look forward to the next meeting with the Center Committee. ******************************TOWN REPORTS*************************************** The Board reviewed the Town Report for 2009 prepared by staff and had no objections. The only revision to be made was to add to the roles of the Planning Board commercial site plan review. **************************ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS******************************* The Board discussed 71 Bow Street and determined that the variance should not be modified since there was not adequate justification. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to advise the ZBA to oppose the modification to the variance since there was no compelling reason to remove the requirement for the pathway to be marked and to express support for paths and interconnections. **************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS********************************* The MAGIC Legislators annual breakfast is tomorrow. The BRSB subcommittees for land use, roadways and tourism will be meeting next week. The corridor management plan will be discussed at the meeting on January 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Depot. **************************HARTWELL AVENUE AREA STUDY************************** Mr. Rick Bryant of Tetra Tech Rizzo and Cindy Frene' of TransAction Associates were present to discuss the traffic mitigation piece of the Hartwell Avenue area Transportation Management Overlay District. Mr. Zurlo asked for a poll of the major issues discussed at the last meeting, which were as follows: ? Safety on Bedford Street and more information regarding transit and TDM; ? Additional information regarding roundabout operations; ? The viability of a signal at Eldred Street - request a second meeting with Mass Highway to review all roadway alternatives and a signal at Eldred Street; ? Meet with representatives of the Minuteman National Historic Park; Page 3 Minutes for the Meeting of December 9, 2009 ? The possibility of opening Airport Road for access to the base and Lincoln Labs; and ? Concerns about involuntary taking of land for roundabouts from abutters and the need for a back- up plan for a median treatment if land was not given up voluntarily by abutters. Ms. Frene' distributed a handout highlighting the effectiveness of a Transportation Management Association (TMA). Ms. Frene' said there was greater success when there was an on-site transportation coordinator in addition to a TMA. Provision of alternative modes such as rides home if needed was important. Mr. Bryant said that currently the Hartwell Avenue businesses are not taking any TDM measures. Mr. Henry asked if measures should be made a requirement. Mr. Bryant said the Town could mandate a program or an outcome. Ms. Frene' said that a TMA should not be made too onerous since the goal was to attract businesses. If fees and services were attractive, enough employers would join and the businesses would find it helps them to be successful. Board Comments: ? How to get Lincoln Labs and Hanscom Air Force Base to utilize some of the TMA programs once implemented in the Hartwell Avenue TMOD? ? There were concerns about existing businesses not being required to join, only new businesses. ? The Town should be a member if only to manage at the start up phase; state funds may be available to assist in the TMA start-up. ? Are there any good enforceable ways for employers to equalize treatment for those using alternatives to single occupancy vehicles? ? There was a concern that Massport and Congress were considering the demolition and redevelopment of Hanger 24, which could increase traffic. Audience comments and questions: Ms. Elaine Dratch, chair of TAC, said that at the start up of the plan, price out what an on-site transportation coordinator would cost. Lexpress should be tied into the plan to shuttle up and down Hartwell Avenue and into the Center. ? Could private shuttles be incorporated to be used by all? ? There was concern about enhancing the entrance to Lincoln Labs. ? There were two neighborhood meetings, would there be a third on the Hartwell Avenue TMOD? (Whether or not there would be a third meeting was unknown, pending funding.) 4 Minutes for the Meeting of December 9, 2009 Page **************************SUBDIVISION ADMINISTRATION**************************** Solly’s Way, Final Bond Release and ANR: Eyecon Construction had completed the road work on Solly’s Way and staff had the as-built plans with the written certifications from the project surveyor and engineer. The completion of this project is currently guaranteed by a bond in the amount of $10,000 for the completion of the subdivision. The applicant requested the release of the bond and the Board to sign an ANR. The concern was that a bond sufficient to replace trees could be required until the trees planted had been through one winter. The Board determined that at the next meeting they would release the old bond, sign the ANR and deposit monies in an escrow account in an amount to cover the replacement of the trees if they did not survive the winter. **************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS********************************* Mr. Hornig said that Blueberry Lane would be going before the Conservation Commission next week. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Charles Hornig, Acting Clerk