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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-17-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2004 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Clarke Middle School Auditorium, was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Manz, Davies, GaIaitsis, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2004 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Article 10 CRO and RO to CD 125 131 and 141 Spring Street Patriot Partners Continued Public Hearin Mr. Harden opened the continued hearing on Patriot Partners' petition to rezone their property on Spring Street at 6:00 p.m. Present were Mr. Stephen Rice and Mr. Joseph Zink, principals of Patriot Partners; Mr. Robert Buckley of Goulston & Storrs, attorney; Mr. Edmund Grant, Lexington attorney; Mr. Rick Bryant, Rizzo Associates, traffic consultant; Ms. Sara Arnold, Mr. Donald Graham Mr. Arthur Katz and Ms. Elaine Dratch , Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC); Mr. Kevin Johnson, Mr, Richard Canale and Ms. Jacqueline Davison, South Lexington Civic Association. Mr. Rice noted that the following specific changes have been made in their proposal: • The correct area of existing buildings on their property is 354,450 square feet based on actual measurements, not 361,000 as shown in their previous documents; • No tenant companies will be allowed to seek variances to engage in bio- research and manufacturing at Levels 3 and 4; • The Zoning Board of Appeals may impose special conditions, including that no noise, vibration, etc. will be perceptible at the residential borders; • Patriot Partners will give the Town $100,000 toward traffic mitigation to be used at the discretion of the appropriate Board; • The park will offer shuttle service, via the 128 Business Council or a private operator, when it becomes warranted • An annual $20,000 contribution to Lexpress will be made, increasing to $30,000 if the development does not meet traffic mitigation goals. In addition, any annual payment will increase by the consumer price index. Board Questions and Comments: What level of service would the shuttle provide? Mr. Rice responded that a shuttle would operate continuously throughout the day. Asked about the intensity of truck traffic at the park, Attorney Buckley asserted that the Board of Appeals special permit would provide ample control of truck trips in and out of the site. The Board asked staff to follow up on that with town counsel. Marrett Road/Spring Street Intersection In response to Mr. Harden's question, Mr. Bryant estimated that it would take an additional $220,000 on top of Patriot Partners' $100,000 to improve the level of service at the Marrett/Spring intersection to level C from level F. Mr. Kastorf asked about Patriot Partners' meeting with the Conservation Commission the previous week. Mr. Rice indicated that the Commission seemed well satisfied with the plans. The only issues were where the parking will be located and access to the sewer easement. The proffered conservation restriction on the 35 acres has three levels of assurance, including the need for an Act of the Legislature to overturn it. In response to Mr. Davies' question about security needs of the tenant companies, Mr. Rice said that fencing, if necessary, at the perimeter of the conservation area would be sufficient. Mr. Galaitsis urged Mr. Rice to clearly state to Town Meeting the figures for auto trips generated by office use as well as research/manufacturing use. Audience Questions and Comments: Mrs. Sally Castleman, Transportation Advisory Committee, asked if the Patriot Partners would also donate $30,000 to fund a town transportation coordinator position. Mr. Rice indicated that the $100,000 donation is intended to be used at the discretion of the Town and could be used to fund the position. Mr. Richard Canale, 29 Shade Street, expressed appreciation that Patriot Partners notified the neighborhood about the company's upcoming appearances before the Board of Minutes for the Meeting of March 17, 2004 Health and Conservation Commission. 2 Regarding the provisions of Section 12, Traffic, of the Zoning Bylaw, when the special permit from the Board of Appeals is sought, it seemed appropriate to those present that Patriot Partners should only be responsible for its "fair share" of the cost of bringing levels of service at relevant intersections up to D as Section 12 requires Mr. Garber noted that there are currently 16 biotech companies operating in Lexington and that regulations already in place have successfully controlled potential nuisance factors of such companies. The hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m. The Board resumed its meeting in Room 125 at the Clarke Middle School. The Patriot Partners development team was present. Article 10, Lexington Technology Park, Traffic Mitigation Issues Mr. Kastorf commented that Town Meeting might seek more than $100,000 in traffic mitigation money from Patriot Partners. Mr. Bryant noted that the traffic generated by the technology park would represent about five percent of the traffic at the Marrett Road/Spring Street intersection, which was already LOS F before the new park comes into being. The Board suggested that that information be distributed to town meeting members. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted that as Patriot Partners' proposal would add to Lexington's protected open space, would increase tax revenues, offers substantial traffic mitigation measures and intersection improvement funds, and has a pleasing site design, it will recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 10, CRO and RO to CD at 125, 131 and 141 Spring Street. Article 4, Rezone 12-18 Hartwell Avenue The Planning Board approved the favorable report. Article 5, Rangeway Rezoning As the major criticism of this proposal is that it allows a two- family house in a single- family neighborhood, the Board suggested adding to the report that the density across the street from this site is considerably higher than what LexHAB proposes. Article 9, Brookhaven Amendment to PSDUP: The Board indicated that it would like to see a covenant stating that no additional future expansion would be sought, even though such a restriction could be overturned by a future town meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recommend that town meeting approve Article 9 and to approve the report to town meeting, subject to certain changes, including adding the phase "construction mitigation and phasing plan to be shared with the residents ". MINUTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of December 3 and 17, 2003, and January 14, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. Minutes for the Meeting of March 17, 2004 3 * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUBDIVISION OF LAND King Street Definitive Subdivision Plan Taylor-made C4rpeq4y, Litigation: Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that the King Street appeal was heard by the court on March 8 and the judge is considering the issue. Clelland Road Definitive Subdivision Plan OidrovicblBovan Request to Install Concrete Bum er: Ms. McCall - Taylor reported that Mr. Ojdrovic seeks the Board's approval of the substitution of a 9 -inch concrete bumper for the already approved railing at the north side of the portion of Clelland Road that he is improving. She also reported that no appeals of the Board's decision were filed within the 20 -day appeal period so the Board can endorse the subdivision plans at its next meeting after the Town Clerk's certification. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNINGBOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Meeting Schedule The Board agreed to begin their meeting on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. as it precedes the TMM Information Night and the Board may need to take part in that when the zoning articles come up for discussion. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanim;//John ly to a *o at 9:35- . j V L. Davies, Cleric