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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-11-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF AUGUST 11, 2010 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Greg Zurlo with members Charles Hornig, Anthony Galaitsis, Wendy Manz and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry, and Lori Kaufman present. Mr. Canale was absent. *************************HARTWELL AVENUE AREA STUDY*************************** Continued discussion of Board Action on consultant’s report and TMOD calendar: A public hearing for the TMO-1 plan on September 29, 2010, would require publication on September 9 & 16 in the Lexington Minuteman. The last meeting before this publication would be September 1. Mr. thth Galaitsis will not be here September 15 through the 30. The Board continued the discussion on the Tetra Tech Rizzo report “Traffic Mitigation Plan for the Hartwell Avenue Transportation Management Overlay District”. Wood Street There was no consensus on Wood Street. The Board members should read the consultant’s suggestions and submit to staff their opinions. They will circle back for discussion later. Maguire Road The Board favored a sidewalk on the south side of the road. Intersection at Bedford Street and Route 128 Replace the intersection with multilane roundabout with crosswalks on all approaches and bicyclists use the crosswalks all ways. Drummer Boy Way Leave open for design phase. Let the owners determine if they want traffic going in both directions. Intersection at Bedford Street and Winter Street A traffic signal would make this street a major cut through, which would not be a desirable outcome. Get testimony from neighbors at public hearing about the residents’ concerns. This should be discussed further with the consultant. Hartwell Avenue & Minuteman Bikeway Update the existing crosswalk and pedestrian signal to balance the level of service for cars versus pedestrians and bikes. Intersection at Hartwell Avenue and Wood Street Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of August 11, 2010 The Board discussed traffic calming methods, limiting truck traffic, realignment of the road making the turn difficult to discourage some traffic were discussed, but a straight T intersection would be safer. Nee to work with the Base to get personnel to use Hanscom Drive and stay off Wood Street. Other segments and intersections not listed will not be addressed since it is not in the scope. This is a transportation plan and adding underground conduits would require a cost estimate to be added. Funding:  Federal funding would be needed for Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street.  Mitigation fees should be set at what the market would bear and still keep Lexington competitive. The Town would have to pick up some of the costs. There was disagreement as to whether a higher mitigation fee would be an obstacle to economic development. Some felt that having known and predictable fees and regulations would be more important to developers and that the fee was not an issue.  There were concerns that the mitigation fee set by the consultant was too low. The fee discussed by the Board was $5.00 per square foot not $3.10. With additional maximum build out of 650,000 square feet and a reasonable assumption of 440,000 square foot build out increase over the next 10 years would give $2,200,000 to the Town. If more was required it would bump up the Town’s investment.  If improvements were going to be done at the same time as development, design would have to happen in advance and the Town would have front oney, but set the fees high to reimburse the Town. Being realistic it may not happen that way and there might be a taxpayer component.  The Board discussed using one flat mitigation fee of $5.00 per square foot and could revaluate it in three years.  The timing of the payment of the fees would be split ,25% when requesting a building permit, and 75% at occupancy. Mr. George Burnell, Board of Selectmen, said he had some serious concerns regarding Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street. Capacity was not a serious concern for him. Situations with bike mitigations that were less then perfect and with snow and rain safety would be a concern. He will work with staff to address this issue. ***********************************STAFF REPORTS********************************** Staff is trying to set up a meeting with Rick Bryant and John Livsey, tentatively for Wednesday. Board members should submit their questions to staff before then. Staff will try to set up a meeting with the Minutes for the Meeting of August 11, 2010 Page 3 Board of Selectmen for either Tuesday 8/24 or 8/31. Development updates: Lexington Hills will be coming back before the Board to discuss impervious surface, site coverage and building envelopes rather then footprints. Possibly discuss a site sensitive development. Lexington Gardens wants to switch surety to a passbook as the current surety, in the form of a covenant, prohibits the release of lots. They want to get the foundations in before the winter. Rangeway has filed a definitive subdivision plan and will be before the Board on October 13. Dee Road will be coming before the Board regarding an unaccepted private way that is a gravel road. Journey’s End is close to wrap up and has only 3 or 4 units to sell. There is surety on the last two and they want to switch to a passbook to allow for release of those lots. There are also a few minor modifications. The appeal period for 147 Shade Street has expired and the mylars will be before the Board for endorsement. They want to sell the back lot to a developer and would need a covenant. The applicant for a determination of adequacy for Wachusett Drive is trying to find a creative alternative and wants to know if the road would need to be 18 or 20 feet. Ms. Manz and Mr. Zurlo said 18 feet would be acceptable, Mr. Galaitsis said 20 feet paved, and Mr. Hornig wanted contextual changes, but if not, than 20 feet. *************************************MINUTES*************************************** On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to accept the minutes for July 14, 2010, as corrected. The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department: 1. Traffic Mitigation Plan for the Hartwell Avenue Transportation Management Overlay District, Lexington, MA, submitted 7/2/10, by Tetra Tech Rizzo. The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of August 11, 2010 On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m. Anthony Galaitsis, Clerk