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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-12-PB-minThe meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Galaitsis with members Chase, Davies, Harden, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor and Tap present, MINUTES Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 29, 2003. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Kastorf, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as amended. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2003 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Article 23, Conservation. Land Transfers, Jovee Miller The Board welcomed Ms. Joyce Miller, chairman of the Conservation Commission. Ms. Miller came to ask the Planning Board for their thoughts on, and where possible, support for the transfer of certain parcels of town -owned land to the Conservation Commission's jurisdiction. Two of the parcels are near the North Street sand pits, one is on Highland .Avenue and the other is off Bedford Street, at the rear of the DPW facility site at 201 Bedford Street and 22 Revere Street. Ms. Miller said that the Commission does not currently have funds for land acquisition so they are turning to land transfers as a way of acquiring certain parcels of land that they feel need protection. The Commission's aim is to add to a linear park running uninterrupted along the bike path through town. The North Street parcel is part of a wildlife corridor. Mr. Marshall Derby, chairman of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, was present to communicate LexHAB's desire to build six affordable housing units on the 2.8 -acre parcel on North Street, The units would help bring the town's inventory of affordable housing closer to DHCD's ten percent threshold. Mr. Derby and Ms. Miller agreed that these issues always cause divided feelings, as both conservation and housing goals are so important. After some discussion of the various requests, the Board agreed, by informal poll, to support Conservation's acquisition of the Highland Avenue parcel; to support a conservation easement over the Bedford Street /Revere Street parcels; and to defer judgment on the North Street site after LexHAB has had a chance to fully evaluate it for their purposes. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** STAFF REPORTS Ms McCall - Taylor reported the following: Coppersmyth Way, Change Of Lot Line A recent survey of the Coppersmyth Way development, off Marrett Road, revealed that a lot line needs to be adjusted as does the right of way layout. This requires a public hearing. After a brief discussion, the Board set the public hearing for April 1.4, 2003 at 7:45 p.m. Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element Mr. Garber reported that preparation is underway of a PowerPoint presentation to Town Meeting on fast steps in implementing the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Its basic theme will be that the state of Lexington's housing stock is part of a national crisis in affordable housing and that it is time to start a dialogue about addressing the problem. Rezoning at Ledgemont, CRO to CD : Staff reported that Beal will file a revised Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan this week for its proposal to rezone its property at Spring Street and Hayden Avenue. Minutes for the Meeting of March 12, 2003 2 * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** 6111:3UlfV/WM 0[03a11:1irli7 Rangeway Road Extension, Revised Preliminary Plan Mr. James Raymond, the applicant, Ms. Duff and Ms. Lovett, owners of the parcel of land on Rangeway and Mr. Fred Russell were present. Mr. Russell exhibited a new preliminary subdivision plan for a lot at the end of Rangeway. Mr. Raymond would like to build a single - family house on the lot. At issue is the construction of a turnaround at the end of Rangeway. Mr. Russell met with fire and engineering department personnel and made changes to the plan to respond to their requests. The Board discussed the public safety issues relative to a turnaround and to the road, which is in bad condition anyway. Mr. Raymond says he plans to build a modest size house, which the Board approves of, but the read is only marginally passable, and would be even if upgraded to the extent Mr. Russell indicated, especially in winter, and its long -term condition cannot be guaranteed. In the form of a motion, seconded by Mr. Davies, Mr. Kastorf listed three conditions on which he would approve moving to a definitive plan. The plan should_ • include a deed restriction limiting the gross floor area and footprint of the dwelling to the approximate area shown on the preliminary site construction plan • show a turnaround sufficient for a fire truck show a commitment to implement resurfacing improvements along Rangeway from its terminus in front of the applicant's lot to Skyview Road. In addition, the applicant shall have prepared a set of engineering plans and specifications for full depth reconstruction of Rangeway that could be used by the neighbors should they choose to improve the street in the future. Said plans shall be suitably marked as to their intended use and kept on file in the Lexington Engineering Division and Planning Department, for possible future employment. The Board voted 3 -2, Mr. Galaitsis and Mr. Harden opposed, to approve the preliminary plan and give permission to move to the definitive stage, with the conditions listed. Mr. Galaitsis and Mr. Harden were not persuaded that this project is in the public interest. There is not enough assurance that improvements made will be of more than a temporary nature. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR THE 2003 TOWN MEETING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** CITIZENS' ARTICLES Article 20, Amendments to the Sign Bylaw, Continued Public Hearing Mr. Galaitsis opened the public hearing at 9:40 p.m. At the .request of the proponents, on the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Harden, the Board voted unanimously to continue the hearing to Wednesday March 1. 9, 2003, at 9:30 p.m. Article 21, Resolution on 40B Comprehensive Permits Mr. Andrew Freidlich asked the Board to support his citizens' petition asking Town. Meeting to approve a resolution to require the Board of Appeals to apply current MassHousing land acquisition guidelines as a condition to granting a Comprehensive Permit (MGL 40B). The Board agreed not to act on that matter until after the Selectmen act on it and final wording is developed. Ms. McCall- Taylor pointed out that the State's 40B guidelines show that MassHousing's land acquisition guidelines are currently used. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Metropolitan State Hospital Reuse Mr. Kastorf reported that the Department of Capital Asset Management will make its decision on. a developer for the developable portion of the Met State Hospital property in Lexington. The five qualified firms offered two types of development: 1) multigenerational Minutes for the Meeting of March 12, 2003 3 rental housing, and 2) entirely age - restricted communities. All proposed developments would satisfy the requirement to provide 25 percent affordable units and generate no more peak hour traffic than the hospital use did. The Board discussed the pros and cons of the development types. Members agreed that they would Iike to see a diverse, cost - neutral community. The development will be large and intense and will have a significant impact on the town when it is completed in 2006 or 2007. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 11:12 p.m. V P. Kastorf, Clerk