HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-26-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 26, 2004
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G -15, Town Office Building, was
called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Acting Chairman Harden, with members Davies, Galaitsis, Manz and
planning staff McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Mr. Kastorf arrived at 7:50 p.m.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2005 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
POTENTIAL ZONING AMENDMENTS - CITIZEN PETITIONS
Redevelopment of the Battle Green Inn The owner of the Battle Green hin, Mr. Eric Shapiro and his
development team, Ms. Gwen Noyes and Mr. Arthur Katz of Oak Tree Development and Mr. Erik
Rhodin, architect, of The Line Company, Waltham and Mr. John Farrington, attorney, were present to
introduce conceptual plans for reuse of the Battle Green inn in Lexington Center,
Mr. Shapiro, who bought the inn in early 2001, said he has tried to make a go of the hotel use since the
events of 9111, but the hospitality industry has not really recovered. He and his investors believe that they
must use the property differently to remain viable. They envision demolition of the building down to the
slab of the underground parking garage and the construction of a structure with 32 luxury condominium
residences and increased retail space at street level. As this would require a CD rezoning, they realize that
they need the support of all the major Town boards and committees in order to receive a two /thirds
favorable vote by Town Meeting. Tonight they are seeking the Planning Board's input.
They described the proposed mixed -use project as having number of desirable impacts embodying "smart
growth" principles: potential enhancement of the central business district's vitality; anti- sprawl; residents
of the condos would be pedestrian shoppers; parking for residents would be underground. Two affordable
units would be provided as the public benefit. Mr. Rhodin presented plans and elevation drawings
showing a three -story structure, plus a fourth story set back from the building's outer walls so it is not
visible from the street. Main entry would be from Waltham Street with secondary pedestrian access from
Massachusetts Avenue, an improvement to the Mass. Avenue strectscape. Each unit would have about
1,650 square feet of living space. Empty nesters and young professionals are their target market.
The Planning Board indicated that the proposal has real possibilities, but unanimously advised the
development team to ensure that all visual materials (which should include a 3 -D model at Town
Meeting) communicate accurately how the project will actually appear in the streetscape. As for the
zoning issues involved —the proposed mix of residential and commercial uses in the CBD, and the height
limit of 30 feet (the proposed building would be close to 50 feet in height at the highest point)— they
could be very controversial. Though the Board itself favors having residential units in the center,
Oaktree's proposal is "just ahead of the wave" of planning board initiatives in this regard. Likewise, center
parking is a sensitive subject which may be the subject of a 2005 zoning amendment sponsored by the
Center Committee.
Ms. Noyes noted that they have invited Mr. David Dixon, of Goody, Clancy, to present a slides /lecture on
the new urbanism at the National Heritage Museum in November to which the community will be invited.
The Board suggested that, in addition, they ask the League of Women Voters or another local group to co-
sponsor the lecture, and make contact with the associations of neighborhoods adjacent to the CBD, as the
CBD is their "back yard ". The more outreach the proponents do, the better. Mr. Kastorf asked them to
plan on continuing to meet with the Planning Board in the time leading up to Town Meeting
Minutes for the Meeting of October 26, 2004 2
POTENTIAL ZONING AMENDMENTS - PLANNING BOARD INITIATIVES
Affordable Housing Using consultant Philip Herr's draft documents dated October 10, 2004, the Board
discussed which of the housing initiatives that the Housing Partnership has been developing with Mr.
Herr might be brought to the 2005 Town Meeting: accessory apartments, adaptive reuse, or inclusionary
housing. Because adaptive reuse of structures includes the issues of inclusionary housing and public
benefits, it was deemed preferable to proceed with an accessory apartment measure, a less expansive
topic, in 2005. Inclusionary housing and adaptive reuse would need more data gathering, public
education, and other preparation than is possible before the 2005 Annual Town Meeting.
Center Parking Mr. Kastorf commented that before the Board devotes time to helping to develop an
amendment to the parking provisions for the center business district he wants to know that there is
unanimous support from the Lexington Center Committee and how much work the committee members
are willing to put in to support it. Ms. Manz indicated that unanimous support was unlikely but noted that
while one member of the Center Committee expressed strong opposition, most members favor some
change.
Reporting further on her meeting with Mr. Levin of the Center Committee, Ms. Manz said that creating
satellite parking for center business employees emerged as a high priority. The Center Committee is in
favor of relaxing center parking regulations or doing away with them altogether and would like to know
the Planning Board's position on this. Everyone concerned wants to change the perception that the
regulations are based in part on "virtual parking spaces ". Board members agreed that they would help the
Center Committee work toward a change in center parking regulations, but not outright elimination of
them. Changing restaurant parking only and or changing the center's underlying zoning were seen as
potential paths to follow.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
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Wendy Ma , lerk