HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-28-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF March 28, 2001
- The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Carpenter Room Town of the Museum of Our
National Heritage, was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Galaitsis with members Bridge- Denzak,
Chase, Davies, Harden, Planning Director Garber, and Assistant Planner McCall - Taylor present.
MINUTES
Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of March 19, 2001.
On the motion of Ms. Chase, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously 5 -0 to approve the
minutes, as amended.
******* * * * * ** * * *** ** * ** * * * * * *** * * * * * ** REPORTS* * *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Ms. Bridge - Denzak brought to the attention of the Board the article in the Boston Globe showing the
camouflage of wireless communication towers as trees.
The Board received copies of the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative schedule of spring classes. Mr,
Garber urged members to try to attend the classes, as they are very informative. The Planning
Department will be pay for the classes if any member chooses to attend.
ARTICLES FOR 2001 TOWN MEETING
Article 33 - Mr. Galaitsis distributed copies of the noise by -law and said that he would be happy to
answer any questions once the members had an opportunity to review it.
Article 25 — The Board wanted to know if the land that was to be transferred would have a deed
restriction preventing further development and whether this transfer would allow a second buildable lot.
The staff said they would look into the issue and report back at the next meeting.
Board members were given a script of the sequence of motions to present the Planning Board report on
articles. They were reminded that everything should go through "Madam Moderator ".
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Met State Hospital Reuse Mr. Garber reported that he had met with the engineers. They expect a
definitive subdivision plan to be filed in mid -May with the Planning Board. It is still an issue if any town
can go forward without the other municipalities' agreement. On some fronts the project is moving ahead.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ARTICLES FOR 2001 TOWN MEETING
Article 34 Tree By -Law Patrick Mehr, John Frey, Kathy Yates, Eva Kasell, as well as Planning Board
member Stacey Bridge - Denzak were present from the Ad Hoc Tree By -Law Committee. Mr. Mehr gave
a brief overview of the by -law, which is being proposed at the Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Davies said that he was troubled by who decides what "improving the landscape" is. Ms. Chase had
several questions about bow the tree removal permit process would work, who would enforce it, and how
non - conforming lots would fit in. Mr. Mehr said that the building permit application would include a
separate page that would go to the tree warden. The tree warden could not refuse to issue a permit if an
owner choose to mitigate. Mr. Mehr said it was not an attempt to set up tree police. Ms. Bridge - Denzak
thanked the group for their tremendous work. She said what is important is that the by -law addresses
trees within the setback. She said the town already regulates structure within the setback and this further
Minutes for the Meeting of March 28, 2001
2
defines what is in that zone. When asked about the cost and distribution of a tree manual, Mr. Mehr said
he had not yet thought about it. Mr. Harden said he was troubled by the limitation to 50% expansion,
which seems arbitrary and may cause legal problems.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. ..
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Sara B. Chase, Clerk