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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 12, 2010
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in the Planning Office, Room G-1, Town
Office Building, and called to order at 6:15 p.m. by Vice Chair Richard Canale with members Charles
Hornig and Wendy Manz and planning staff Aaron Henry present. Gregory Zurlo and Anthony Galaitsis
were absent.
*******************************TOWN MEETING*******************************
Article 9, Cotton Farm:
Ms. Manz provided the members with an update of the Community Preservation Committee’s discussion
of Article 9, the acquisition of land known as Cotton Farm. The CPC’s meeting was held at 3 p.m. earlier
in the day. While no vote was taken by the Committee, there was a clear sense that the asking price of
$3.8 million seemed too high. The second appraisal was said to value the property at $3.7 Million. If the
owners would be willing to make a reduced offer the Committee might probably favor its purchase.
Mr. Hornig had the opportunity to discuss the matter with Alan Levine and better understands the value of
the acquisition, although the price is higher than what he believes market value to be. The special
circumstances around this property, including its connectivity to the Upper Vine Brook area and the
orchard that lends itself to the vista of Marrett Road may justify a higher price.
As the CPC had yet to take a formal position however, the Board decided to move on from this item
pending further information.
Article 12, Capital Projects:
Having studied the proposed warrant article in advance, the Board limited discussion on the Capital
Projects Article and simply voted recommendations as follows:
12b) Massachusetts Ave Improvements, 3 – 0
12c) Comprehensive Watershed Study, 3 – 0
12g) Sidewalk Improvements & Easements, 3 – 0
12h) Drainage System Improvements, 3 – 0
12j) Butterfield Dam Repair, 3 – 0
Page 2 Minutes for meeting April 12, 2010
12k) Traffic Mitigation, 3 – 0
12l) Hayden Ave/Spring St Traffic Master Plan, 3 – 0
12m) Concord Ave Sidewalk Preliminary Design, 2 – 0 – 1 (Mr. Hornig needed more
information about sidewalk priorities to make a decision)
12p) Pedestrian Signal Improvements, 3 – 0
12u) Street Improvements & Easements, 3 – 0
********************************TRANSPORTATION********************************
TIP Projects:
Mr. Canale described the TIP process and the Lexington projects on it to the Board. His primary concern
is that there seems to be no formal framework for determining the community’s priorities, a significant
element of the MPO’s decision-making process. While there need not be any formal action on this at this
time, he hoped to put it on the Board’s radar, as it has the potential to affect the board’s work.
Draft Route 128 Corridor Plan:
Mr. Canael then provided more background on the 128 Central Corridor Committee’s draft plan, prepared
by MAPC. While this represents a long-range plan Mr. Canale hopes that the Board starts to think about
how this project might influence the area and inform the Board’s future planning initiatives.
*************************************HOUSING*************************************
MHP Pre-development Grant:
Mr. Henry provided the Board with a brief update on the Housing Partnership’s desire to apply for grant
funding for the 116 Vine Street property. As the funding criteria largely echo the HOME funding
requirements but contain a minimum density requirement, staff feels that there is enough HOME money
available for any pre-development activities that may be required of the project, and that until there is a
formal site planning process adopted no decisions about the number of units should be made.
************************************MINUTES************************************
The Board reviewed the minutes for the regular meeting of April 12, 2010. On a motion duly made and
seconded, it was voted, 3-0 to approve the minutes as amended.
****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *******************
At 7:35 p.m., on a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recess to the Town Meeting and
adjourn when the session of Town Meeting adjourned.
Charles Hornig, Acting Clerk