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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-21-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 21, 2012 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Richard Canale with members Greg Zurlo, Wendy Manz, Michelle Ciccolo and Charles Hornig and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry and Lori Kaufman present. ************************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION********************* Jefferson Union, Minor modification: Beverly and Michael Meadows, the applicants were requesting a modification to the special permit granted to Jefferson Union Trust on August 28, 2005. The applicants were requesting a reduction of the $200,000 payment to LexHAB specified in the special permit. It is believed that this sum might have been based on an estimate of the cost of a unit in 2005 but there is no record of how the figure was arrived at. DHCD did not approve the affordability restrictions for several years during which time the unit values have declined and the developer had to pay carrying charges much longer than anticipated. In addition to reducing the total amount, the applicant would like to pay with a combination of cash and in-kind services to the town. They are the successful bidder on some construction projects for the town so have a contract and have gone through the procurement process. Board Comments:  While not persuaded by the costs of the unit, there was sympathy regarding the overpayment of taxes as well as the hold up by DHCD for several years. Based on the current value of homes the amount of $150,000 would be acceptable.  There was no statement found on record about the methodology used to derive the $200,000 figure.  The Board was uncomfortable with a partial payment being made through services to the town.  There should to be consideration made to the increased cost since this is not going to market today and $160,000 would be acceptable. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept this as a minor modification to the special permit. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 21, 2012 On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to reduce the payment of $200,000 to $160,000 cash to be paid to LexHAB. ********************************TOWN MEETING******************************* FINALIZING ZONING ARTICLE REPORTS: Article 38, Accept Gift of Land between Munroe Cemetery and Bike Trail: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the report as amended for Article 38. Draft reports for Articles 35-37 incorporating changes from Mr. Hornig, Ms. Manz, and Mr. Canale were distributed to the Board. Article 35, allow residential use in the CB Zone and Article 36, allow home occupations in the CB Zone: On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the reports as amended for Articles 35 & 36. Article 37, Height and FAR in the CB Zone: The Board made some changes to the graphics and editorial changes to the draft reports. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to accept the report as amended for Article 37. DISCUSSION OF NON-ZONING ARTICLES: Article 8 regarding the Cary Memorial Building upgrades will be amended by the Board of Selectmen to reduce the funding. The Board already supported the Article as is and will caucus if the amendment is put forward at Town Meeting. There will be a meeting with the Zoning Board of Appeals chair to go over the reports on the Articles. Staff will work on an addendum for Article 35-37. The Board will meet on March 26 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the final report and addendum. The Dana Home continued public hearing will be on April 12, 2012 in Cary Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. ******************************BOARD REPORTS******************************** Mr. Hornig said the Conservation Commission had AB Holdings before them to address the December peer review of the project for the conversion of the Dana Home. There seem to be some technical comments that are solvable and the applicants will be back before Conservation Minutes for the Meeting of March 21, 2012 Page 3 Commission April 3, 2012. The Board hopes to receive the plans reflecting what Conservation has approved by April 12. The Town Engineer has asked for a change in the western driveway, moving it closer to the wetlands, but it is unclear if Conservation will allow that. Ms. Ciccolo said that on April 13 the League of Women Voters will discuss a community challenge regarding getting around town without a car. The goal is to reduce single occupancy vehicle miles by 300 miles per person over the year. There is interest in Smart Bus technology; maybe Lexpress can be part of that pilot plan. Mr. Canale said that at the MAPC executive meeting there was discussion of reducing the default speed on local roads from 30 mph to 25 mph. The first potential traffic calming project is going to TSAC next week for Shade Street. Ms. McCall-Taylor said the next tax bill will have the pamphlet on rules of the road for bicycle and car drivers included. **********************PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION*********************** March 26, the reports for Article 2 and 38 will be presented. The Center Articles will be on Wednesday, March 28 and the Board will meet before Town Meeting. Mr. Canale said Article 2 will recap the last year’s activities. He will set the stage for the Center articles on Wednesday and present the work plan for parking, the recodification process for Fall or Spring Town Meeting, and the status reports on the proposed Hartwell Avenue traffic improvements. Article 34, the Dana Home/2027 & 2013 Massachusetts Avenue, will be on April 30, 2012. 186-192 Woburn Street continued public hearing will be April 4 at 6:00 p.m. in Room G-15. The Board will probably not meet on April 2 and April 9. Ms. Ciccolo may have a conflict with April 9. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia. The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department: Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of March 21, 2012 1. Formal request from Michael Meadows regarding Jefferson Union, dated March 2, 2012 (1 page). 2. Draft report to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Article 38 with Board revisions (2 pages). 3. Draft report to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Articles 35-30 with Board revisions (11 pages). Michelle Ciccolo, Clerk