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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-14-EDAC-min Town of Lexington Economic Development Advisory Committee March 14, 2011 Legion Room ,Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA 8:00am-9:30am MINUTES Members present: Chair. John McWeeney, , Vice Chair, Narain BhatiaFrederick DeAngelis, David Pronchick, Lawrence Smith Also present: Maryann McCall-Taylor, Brianna Olson, Carl Valente and Susan Yanofsky Meeting called to order by N. Bhatia at 8:09am. Discussion of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles: Article 31, Tree Bylaw: The tree bylaw proposal on Monday was still evolving. Nonetheless the members questioned what the need was for the change. The Committee was concerned that the proposal may create yet another track for permits or a separate authority. A requirement to receive a permit from the tree committee would lead to a situation where there is no finality to the permit process if each authority can open another board’s decision. Article 37, Assessment: Members understood that this is a resolution article. The EDAC considers the Assessing Department, assessing regulations and the Department of Revenue as providing ample tools to assess property. The Committee took no position on this resolution. Article 39, Amend Traffic Bylaw: The Committee is in unanimous support of this article which removes “renovation” from the applicability section of the bylaw. Currently it is possible for entirely interior renovation to be required to obtain a special permit. This provision has imposed a requirement for a special permit when re-tenanting a space, where there has been no change in occupancy. The provision has placed a burden on our existing building owners. Removal of this provision is a large step to the Town creating clarity and certainty to the permitting process. Article 41, Rezoning of Hartwell parcel: The Committee was unanimous in support of this rezoning. This change creates congruity with the district and resolves the transition requirements between districts. Discussion of District Improvement Financing: Members discussed this financing tool. There was overall a sense that this tool may be politically difficult to pass as the mechanism would lock the incremental tax to improvements in the district. Further it was felt that the development of a DIF has administrative costs and is a significant commitment of time. Until a developer is on the scene it may not make sense to explore this option. Hartwell Area broker meeting: The EDAC and the economic development director will be participating in a groundbreaking/open house with King Street Partners this spring. The Town will have an opportunity to present the permitting process, and development potential in the area. Materials which provide a simple outline of the TMOD process will be prepared and a draft ready for the next meeting. 9:30am Adjournment 2