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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-16-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 16, 2003 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and planning staff Garber and Tap present. Ms. Chase and Ms. McCall- Taylor were on vacation. MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 25, 2003. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes, as amended. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Roosevelt Road Special Residential Development, North Shore Construction Release of Covenant Mr. Garber informed the Board that the engineering division inspected the Roosevelt Road development and found that the street construction and associated work has been done. Final pavement has been completed and all issues have been resolved. The covenant provided by Mr. Lopez, the developer, can be released. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Harden, the Board voted 4 -0 to release the covenant for the Roosevelt Road Special Residential Development recorded on October 24, 2001. REGIONAL, INTERTOWN ISSUES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Met_ State Hospital Development, Presentation by AvalonBay Communities, Inc Mr. Harden welcomed representatives of AvalonBay Communities, Inc., designated by the Department of Capital Asset Management to be the developer of the Lexington portion of the Met State Hospital site. Mr. Michael Roberts, Senior Developer at AvalonBay, and Steve Schwartz, attorney, of Goulston & Storrs, were present. Mr. Roberts distributed copies of his presentation, which included an introduction to AvalonBay's development team, the redevelopment proposal, and the benefits the proposal offers. He assured the Board that AvalonBay has the expertise, the capital and a demonstrated success in finding common ground through public /private partnerships, to accomplish this redevelopment. The Met State development will be its third residential rehab project. Some of its features are: Kline Hall and the clock tower will be remain, helping to retain the character of the site; some of the parking will be underground, and; the site will be pedestrian - friendly. Traffic impacts may not exceed the level of late 1980s traffic counts taken when the hospital was operating. Affordability All of the units will be rental units, allowing all 430 to qualify for the Chapter 40B affordable housing inventory for Lexington. Twenty -five percent will be affordable units at 80% of metropolitan median income. From 60 to 100 school -age children may live there, depending on the unit size mix. AvalonBay will use the Local Initiative Petition process, working with the Board of Selectmen. DMH Component Mr. Roberts said that some of the required Department of Mental Health units would be integrated into the development, though the number is still not determined. AvalonBay will provide DMH with funds to support off -site units as well. They want the mental health component to be fully integrated into the environment of the site. Mr. Kastorf commented that rapid change is occurring in mental health care policy and AvalonBay will probably have to adjust its approach. He added that off -site housing is often more appropriate for the needs of DMH clients. Minutes for the Meeting of July 16, 2003 2 Board members and people in the audience asked questions about traffic, parking, storm -water management, which buildings would be demolished (the chapel is one), and the estimated length of the construction process after approval (20 to 25 months). Mr. Roberts said that they would meet with the South Lexington Civic Association and other concerned groups. Avalon Bay is currently analyzing the scope of the work needed; the project is very complex, including as it does demolition, restoration and new construction with many complexities. He asked the Board to let him know when they want an update. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Clelland Road Preliminary Subdivision Plan O'drovic/Bovan Public Informational Meetin : There were four people in the audience, but Mr. Ojdrovic was not able to come and present his plan due to car trouble. The Board postponed the informational meeting to July 23, 2003 at 9:00. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Lexpress Lost in Failed Override Mr. Garber reported that the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) would like the Board to make a statement in support of Lexpress at the Special Town Meeting on July 28. Lexpress was an important ingredient in the recently published transportation element of the Planning Board's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Kastorf was concerned that the Board not appear to be taking a position on the worth of Lexpress over other budget priorities, which he would regard as improper. After discussion, the consensus was that the Planning Board does have advisory duties and that a statement of Lexpress' importance to segments of the population and to plans for future traffic mitigation would be appropriate. They agreed to work on the wording of a statement at their meeting on July 23. The Board decided not to meet on July 28, prior to Town Meeting. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PLANNING BOARD WORK PROGRAM * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Summary and Status Report, July 2003 (for FY04) Mr. Garber handed out a detailed summary of known work commitments for the Department, which included major and special projects (e.g. Met State Housing proposal), comprehensive plan implementation and zoning initiatives (e.g. impervious surface definitions), land development/subdivision control issues, zoning review for town meeting (e.g. Raytheon site and possible power plant at Hartwell Avenue), unanticipated technical assistance requests and spillover from override cuts. He noted that since the state certified all of the Board's Comprehensive Plan Elements, the board could pursue zoning initiatives with increased confidence that the state housing consortium and the attorney general will support them.. It was agreed to assign consultant Rick Taintor to work on some of the named issues. Mr. Garber said that the staff cuts in the Community Development, Public Works and Town Manager departments are beginning to affect the planning staff, increasing the number of walk -in customers they deal with. Staff might have to set aside certain hours for this kind of service to the public. The Board agreed that that would be sensible. Minutes for the Meeting of July 16, 2003 3 Regarding the likelihood of a rezoning petition for a power plant, development standards would need to be defined for that use, which would take considerable effort on the proponent's part. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted un: turn at 1 � p.m. avies, Clerk