SUMMARY:
This is a work session for the Planning Board members to review the final draft zoning bylaw proposal for the village overlay districts to prepare for the public hearing scheduled for February 1.
AMEND ZONING BYLAW AND MAP - MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING FOR MBTA COMMUNITIES
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw and Map to create districts permitting multi-family housing or mixed-use developments by right; or act in any other manner in relation thereto.
DESCRIPTION: This article would comply with M.G.L. c. 40A § 3A by establishing zoning districts on the Zoning Map and amending the Zoning Bylaw to permit multi-family housing and mixed-use developments with an as-of-right approval process.
Attached is a Draft of the Zoning Bylaw dated 1/17 created by Staff based on the January 12 meeting for the Planning Board's review on January 18. This is a staff draft that still requires Board member review.
The zoning maps still need to be updated after the January 12 meeting. On January 18, the Board members will continue their review. More information on this article here: http://www.lexingtonma.gov/MBTAZoning
More on zoning amendment articles: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/1546/2023-Annual-Town-Meeting
Summary of Changes in 1/17 Draft:
- Calls the 475 Bedford St./Armory area now called VMO (Village Mid-Rise) and #3 on page 2 under permitted uses ties it to the underlying zoning, which means only residential allowed.
- Lexington Center is also VMO but #3 under Permitted Uses allows the CB uses to continue, with at least 30% net floor area for the street floor level.
- The VMO Height limit for Lexington Center and the 475 Bedford St. area is now 60 ft.
- Both sides of Mass. Ave. in East Lexington is now VLO
- The VLO is 40 ft. limit
- #10 under the Dimensional Controls (on page 3-4) still gives the 25 ft. density bonus for nonresidential, but only a 15 ft. height bonus if the nonresidential use is not permitted in the underlying zone (this 15 ft. max. would be applicable to the south side of Mass. Ave. in East Lexington).
- Highlighted areas are items for Board discussion
- Traffic Study and Parking Demand Management Plan requirements removed since the multi-family has to be by-right and requiring them is not consistent with the by-right approval.
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