HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-16-PB-min
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 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 Vice Chairman Canale with members Galaitsis,
Hornig and planning staff McCall-Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Ms. Manz joined the meeting in
progress. Mr. Zurlo was absent.
*************************TOWN MEETING WARRANT*********************************
RD rezoning amendment; Countryside Manor, Woburn Street: Present was Brian Kelley of Shaker Glen
Construction, Attorney Alan Wrigley and Gary Larson, landscape architect, to discuss a request for a
modification of the existing RD zoning at 425 Woburn Street. The applicant was proposing to add an
additional residential building with 52 small condominiums and apartments, use the existing curb cuts and
interior drive. There would be underground parking on one level; the units, 1,000-1,200 square foot each,
would be handicapped accessible, one level and energy efficient.
Board comments:
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Does the use make sense? It would be good to have statistics on housing in Lexington regarding
units rented or owned of that size. Mr. Kelley said they wanted to keep their options open since
the rental market is close to saturation.
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There was concern that the proposed monolithic and massive structure will be compatible with
the existing nearby smaller buildings Want to see what exists now and would like the new
structure to blend in aesthetically. Provide some other options other than what is being shown
today.
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How high would the new proposed building be? The proposed building’s ridge line would be
under 40 feet, with three floors of living space and stepped back.
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This would not be an ideal location to put apartments due to the lack of transportation. Lexpress
had a route there in the past and might consider it being reinstated if used more.
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What would be provided for parking? There would be 1.5-1.7 space per unit, which would
include one deeded space per unit with an option to buy an additional space.
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Were there any issues with utility capacity? No.
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Inclusionary Housing would be desirable. There has been a long standing relationship with
LEXHAB and there would be 10% affordable units provided.
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There would be lots of concern with Woburn Street traffic and that will come up.
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 16, 2009 Page
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Were there vacancies now in the existing buildings? The existing buildings were close to 100%
capacity.
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There was concern about needing additional access for the extra units being proposed; had the
fire department approved this? There have been on going discussions with the fire department,
but no approval yet.
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Figure out what incentives would make it worthwhile for Lexpress to adjust its routes.
The next time the Planning Board could discuss this would be January 6. At that time they would like to
see some alternative plans for further discussion. The Board would encourage outreach to the neighbors.
Warrant for Town Meeting 2010:
Article C, Flood Plain Maps: To see if the Town will vote to amend the floodplain management bylaw
including the adoption of the current effective Flood Insurance Study report and the Flood Insurance Rate
Map.
Ms. Manz joined the meeting in progress.
Article B, Impervious Surface: To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing zoning bylaw definition
for “impervious surface” with an updated definition.
Article A, Zoning Bylaw Table of Uses: To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning bylaw to
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Permit, not permit, or otherwise regulate office uses on street level floors in the CB and CRS
districts, and
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Permit, not permit, or otherwise regulate food-related uses in all zoning districts.
Article D: Make technical corrections to maintain consistency with the above changes and update
references within the Town of Lexington Zoning Bylaw.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to ask the Board of Selectmen to reserve warrant
articles A-D with the changes to Article C to clarify that the zoning bylaw may be changed.
*********************************MINUTES******************************************
The Board reviewed the minutes for the regular meeting of December 2, 2009. On a motion duly made
and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the minutes as amended.
**************************SUBDIVISION ADMINISTRATION****************************
Murray Hills Subdivision: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to accept the
covenant and endorse the plans for the Murray Hills subdivision.
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 16, 2009
**************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS*********************************
Ms. Manz said the CPC met with the Selectmen and the finance committees to discuss funding
mechanisms (cash, bonding, short term loans) for Busa Farms, and how much to allocate for other
projects. The 21 projects pending would exceed the income for this year, but there are unallocated
reserves from prior years. The CPC agreed to keep two million dollars in an unallocated reserve.
********************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE********************
There will be Planning Board meetings on January 6 and 20. On January 14 there is a Battle Road Scenic
Byway (BRSB) meeting (town wide forum) at the Depot. In February there will be the public hearings for
the warrant articles. The Board discussed the possibility of the TMMA attending those public hearings for
information they need and to give input instead of having separate meetings on those matters. There will
be another Hartwell Avenue community meeting in February. The Planning Board discussed the
placement of the warrant article requested by the Town Meeting resolution about the TMOD and
determined it would be up to the Board of Selectmen to make that decision.
*******************************SITE PLAN REVIEW***********************************
Mr. Mark Bobrowski was present to discuss any outstanding issues.
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Regarding the appeal mechanism, the Planning Board was equal to the Zoning Board of Appeals
(ZBA) so it should be a judicial appeal, not to the ZBA.
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Some revisions were discussed earlier and need to be incorporated in the current version, such as
aesthetics.
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Section 175-79A needs to echo the zoning bylaw.
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Section 175-80 should state if it’s not a major site plan review then it is a minor site plan review.
Reverse the order and put major site plan review first.
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Section 175-80D - change to 60 days after the close of the public hearing and the cost of notice to
be borne by the appellant.
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Section 175-81A (1) - change structure to structures.
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Section 175-82F (5) - should use bylaw words.
Mr. Bobrowski said he would include the comments of the Board from the last meeting in version 12.
EDAC suggested removing peer review from the application process and that no surety should be
required for things on private property. Mr. Bobrowski said that may work in the developers’ favor and
they should leave it in as an option. EDAC also wanted to include “economic conditions” as good cause
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 16, 2009 Page
for an extension of time. The more that was outlined and made transparent the better, so developers know
what to expect.
**************************BOARD MEMBER REPORTS*********************************
The MAGIC Legislators Breakfast was last week. HATS communities met and discussed protecting
farming and the farming bylaw. The Massport Executive Director met with some congressmen on the
status of Hanger 24’s demolition and the public hearing date was changed from December 17 to January 7
at the Civil Air Terminal. MAPC has their new calendars available.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:32 p.m.
Anthony Galaitsis, Clerk