HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-28-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2004
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held at Clarke Middle School, 17 Stedman Road, was
called to order at 7:10 pan in Room 127 by Chairman Harden with members Chase, Davies, Galaitsis,
Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall- Taylor, and Tap present.
* * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * **
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Clelland Road Conventional Subdivision Sim Certificate of Action: The Board reviewed a draft decision
on the Clelland Road Subdivision off Lisbeth Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to endorse the decision.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:25: p.m. by individual poll of the Board — Mr. Harden, Mr. Kastorf, Ms, Chase, Mr. Davies, Mr.
Galaitsis - it was voted to go into executive session to discuss litigation against the town. The Board
agreed to reconvene in public session in the school auditorium at 7:40 p.m. for the AvalonBay
information meeting on Met State.
The Board returned to open session at 7:40 p.m.
ARTICLES FOR 2004 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Met State Redevelopment Information SessiM Avalon Bay Mr. Harden called the meeting to order at
7:45 p.m. in the Clarke Auditorium. There were 20 people in the audience. Present for the developer,
Avalon Bay Communities, were Mr. Michael Roberts and Ms. Liz Smith; Mr, Peter Norstrand and Mr.
Michael Thomas, Deputy Comn of the Department of Capital Asset Management; and Selectman
Jeanne Krieger, a memb er of the Lexington Met State Task Force.
Mrs. Krieger provided background on Metropolitan State Hospital and the development of a reuse plan
leading to the proposal from Avalon Bay Communities to develop 23 acres of the original campus,
including the buildings, into housing with an affordable component. Mr. Thomas commented on the
State's land disposition program and the process to choose a developer. The State needs to shed the
expense of maintaining old decrepit properties and in the process address the need to create more housing.
He noted that the 23 -acre site to be developed in Lexington is surrounded by 340 acres of open space that
should ameliorate any concern about density.
Mr. Roberts presented a PowerPoint slide show describing the community -based redevelopment process.
• Collaborative partnership between the Tri- Community Task Force (Lexington, Belmont and
Waltham) and the Commonwealth
• Master Reuse Plan: July 1994; first amendment in September 1995; second amendment in May
2002
• Three major goals: Conservation of Natural Resources; preservation of mature landscape and key
historic building elements; Utilization of roadway infrastructure
Architectural Plan
AvalonBay's concept for the site is currently a 430 -unit apartment complex, renovating as much of the
existing buildings as possible and maintaining the existing landscape and character of the hospital
campus. A variety of unit types are envisioned ranging from one- to three - bedrooms. Sixty units are for
people 55 and over, and a certain number will house Department of Mental Health clients. AvalonBay
projects that the complex would add about 125 school -age children (SAC) to the population. The
development would have a lower percentage of three - bedroom units than Avalon at Lexington Ridge, off
Minutes for the Meeting of January 28, 2004
Waltham Street, where the number of SAC is unusually high for an Avalon Bay community.
Revenue
Avalon Bay would pay the town approximately $500,000 in permitting and construction fees. After
build-out, with property and excise taxes generated by the community, the project should be revenue
neutral to the Town..
Traffic
Mr. Rick Bryant, Rizzo Associates, traffic consultants, presented the expanded traffic studies requested
by residents at an earlier information meeting. The study was expanded to include more intersections,
including some in Belmont and Waltham, other potential developments in the area were factored in, as
well as traffic data from Avalon at Lexington Ridge. He outlined the transportation demand management
plan envisioned so far. (According to the second amendment to the reuse plan, one segment of a
bifurcated parkway off Concord Avenue would provide access to the new community.)
Audience Questions and Comments: Mr. Kenneth Kreutziger, Lexington Housing Partnership Board,
presented the Board's case for affordable housing at Met State.
Mr. Donald Graham, Transportation Advisory Committee, indicated that his committee would work with
the Planning Board on the traffic issues. He indicated the committee's conviction that some type of transit
is needed to connect the new community to the rest of the town and support from AvalonBay would be
critical.
Mr. John Rosenberg, Capital Expenditures Cormnittee, expressed his hope that residents keep their minds
open on the proposal and not make up their minds too soon, as the diversity the development will offer is
important to Lexington.
Mrs. Karen Dooks, Appropriations Committee, asked about the cost of providing public safety services to
the new community. Mr. Roberts indicated that those figures are not ready yet.
Selectman Peter Kelley indicated his desire to see more planning go into providing a community building.
Many people questioned the number of SAC AvalonBay says will be produced. Others spoke in favor of
having some services on site so the residents don't to always go shopping someplace else. Mr.
Roberts indicated that a drycleaners and an ATM are possible. The subject of access to public
transportation was repeatedly raised along with the great need for traffic mitigations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 10:15: p.m., by individual poll of the Board — Mr. Harden, Mr. Kastorf, Ms, Chase, Mr. Davies, Mr.
Galaitsis - it was voted to go into executive session to discuss litigation against the town. The Board
agreed to reconvene in open session only for the purpose of adjourning.
The Board returned to open session at 10 :30 p.m.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:3 n
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J n L. Davies, Clerk