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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2011
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 Richard Canale, Charles
Hornig, Michelle Ciccolo, and Wendy Manz and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor and Lori
Kaufman present.
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
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341 Marrett Road, change in surety:
The applicant has requested a release from the tri-partite agreement in lieu of a cash deposit in the same
amount for $30,600.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept financial surety of $30,600 cash in lieu
of the release from the tri-partite agreement.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to release the Town’s interest in the tri-partite
agreement.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
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15 & 18 Rockville Avenue, variances:
The Planning Board discussed the variances being sought for 15 & 18 Rockville Avenue and is concerned
about allowing the re-division of a lot made up of old lots that are no longer grandfathered as this is not a
unique or uncommon situation in Lexington. The Planning Board is asking the Zoning Board of Appeals
to be mindful of these concerns when considering the variances to allow the re-division of lots no longer
grandfathered. The concerns will enter into the Planning Board’s decision-making process if the project
comes before it. The Board also feels that citing their Stedman Road decision should not serve as a
justification for allowing the waiving of the length of this dead-end street. The Board explicitly states in
its deliberation that each situation is unique and is not to be used as a precedent for another situation.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to convey the Planning Board’s concerns
discussed on this matter to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 27, 2011
SOUTH LEXINGTON STUDY
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Comments on the RFP for Traffic Study:
This was just a place holder on the agenda in preparation for the next meeting on May 11. Mr. Zurlo will
send to the Board through staff the bullet points of what was shared with the Board of Selectmen (BOS).
The Board needs to push these forward and make them clear and useful for Engineering assuming they
are drafting the RFP to guarantee it will meet the needs of the Planning Board for creating a TMO Plan.
Next weeks discussion will summarize everything required to be in the report.
Mr. Canale said the current RFP has two parts; one is a traffic plan, which is automobile centered and the
second part is more town wide. It is necessary to figure out what would be necessary to meet the Board’s
needs in providing what is promised at Town Meeting. At what point does the Board get together with the
BOS to make sure the all requirements are met, which is different from the current RFP. There appears to
be less then what is required in the CD traffic study scopes. Why is it reduced? There are some
fundamental differences that need to be addressed.
Mr. Zurlo said that the Planning Board is the only body other than Engineering that will be commenting
on the RFP. Ms. McCall-Taylor said she will check on the status since there are many RFPs out there. Mr.
Zurlo would like to include the BOS in the process. Board comments should be sent to staff to be put in
the packets for the May 11 meeting.
The Board is not ready to discuss a work plan for next year, but this will be an opportunity to work on a
TMOD for South Lexington and go to Town Meeting with a plan in hand rather then ask them to
designate a district for an overlay plan. Ms. McCall-Taylor said it is not necessary to go for the next
Spring Town Meeting, but at least get the study to go forward, which would be basis for the TMOD plan
within the year or the funding for the study could be lost. The Board can take a little longer to decide how
to proceed as long as the base work is done.
The Board decided it is too early to make a final decision on whether or not to offer everything or nothing
to Town Meeting and would wait six months to make a determination as how to proceed.
Minutes for the Meeting of April 27, 2011 Page 3
REGIONAL INTERTOWN ISSUES
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The MAGIC transportation meeting group is seeking funding to coordinate regional transportation from
one community to another.
CLURPA is having a public hearing on May 18 on the Zoning Reform Act. Mr. Canale said at the next
meeting the Planning Board should draft a letter to be submitted for the May 18 public hearing on the
Zoning Reform Act. Ms. Ciccolo said there were concerns in the past, but changes have been made and
the Board may want to support this.
Lexington just signed on for MAPC Sustainable Communities Program as part of the consortium to be
able to apply for part of the $4,000,000 grants.
MINUTES
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On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0-1, (Mr. Zurlo abstained) to approve the minutes
for April 6, 2011, as amended.
PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE
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The Planning Board will meet on May 11, to discuss the South Lexington RFP. On May 25 work with
draft 4 on the zoning bylaw and June 8 a public hearing for 1377 Massachusetts Avenue.
PLANNING BOARD REPORTS
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Mr. Zurlo has a meeting with the Drummer Boy Condo Association Board and its residents to show them
the Hartwell TMOD plan and how they would fit in and to get them to weigh in on the plan.
Mr. Canale said that at the League of Woman’s Voters First Friday presentation on complete streets there
were attendees from Bedford including some Bedford Planning Board Members. Mr. Canale was then
contacted regarding collaborating further on traffic and a possible interest on an application for federal
funds in the future. Ms. Manz said the panel, which included Mr. Canale and Ms Ciccolo, was very well
received, and there is interest in a follow up presentation on public transportation next year.
The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia.
Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of April 27, 2011
The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:
1. Draft #4 Zoning Bylaw, dated March 10, 2011, with AH edits (100 pages).
2. 341 Marrett Street, Agenda Item and Summary and Staff recommendation, dated March 26, 2011
(1 page).
3. 341 Marrett Street, Release of Municipal Interest in Subdivision Performance Security (1 page).
4. 341 Marrett Road, Performance Secured by Deposit of Money (2 pages).
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
Michelle Ciccolo, Clerk