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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-29-EDAC-min Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 29, 2022 The Economic Development Advisory Committee [EDAC] met by remote participation on Thursday, September 29th, at 8:00 a.m. at Estabrook Hall with Video Conference capabilities. This meeting was held remotely pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and subsequent orders imposing strict limitations on the number of people who may gather in one place. EDAC Members present: Rick DeAngelis (Chair), Bridger McGaw (Vice Chair), Charles Minasian, Lisa Murray, Adrienne Ortyl Liaisons and Town Staff: Sandhya Iyer (Economic Development Director), Joe Pato (Select Board), Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison), Sheila Page (Planning Department) Carol Kowalski (Asst. Town Manager). The EDAC heard a presentation from the 12-18 Hartwell Avenue development proponents, Greatland. Presenters focused on the 12 Hartwell site while the other parts of the site are a longer term development. As this is one of the first projects on the street, Greatland stressed they want to help set the pace/tone/design of the corridor. This is a 300,000 sqft building with garage behind it with a covered walkway at grade connecting them. They are planning for LAB in this building with retail at grade on the first floor lobby area – pending a market that can support it. Mr. McGaw noted the parallel parking in front while necessary for the retail success would also need the Town to have a larger POV on parking on the street. Sheila Page and Ross Morrow acknowledged that parallel parking and/or parking for retail activation is critical to longer term corridor design, and this property specifically, success. The Chair acknowledged the 14 spots or more would be needed. The Chair acknowledged that kickstarting Hartwell redevelopment has been a long time in coming and finding an expeditious way to support the project is important to the Town. The Greatland team presented the visuals of the proposed building and laid out plan for 98% electric building. Their goal is targeting LEED Silver, but could achieve Gold. 1050 Waltham Street followed the same project approach. We discussed use of the garage for alternative uses on the top floor to support the retail spaces with other amenities in addition to solar capacity. Mr. McGaw moved that the EDAC support the re-development of 12 Hartwell Avenue as proposed by Greatland to include first floor retail, a goal of 98% electric-power use; solar canopies, and meeting the current intentions of the Town of Lexington to activate the Hartwell redevelopment. Motion 1: (Passed 4-0-1) Mr. McGaw moved and Ms. Murray seconded that “The Economic Development Advisory Committee supports the re-development of 12 Hartwell Avenue as proposed by Greatland to include first floor retail, a goal of 98% electric-power use; garage- mounted solar canopies, to meet Greatland’s and the Town of Lexington’s intention to activate and redevelop the Hartwell Corridor in line with the community’s vision. (McGaw, Murray, Minassian, Ortyl in the affirmative; DeAngelis abstained) Following a presentation from Sheila Page and Ross Murrow, a lively discussion was held regarding the challenges shared by Joe Pato regarding regarding 25% Design of Hartwell Ave and Bedford street corridor- project specific to three areas.  Allow Multi-family Housing on Hartwell  Strong Transportation Demand Management = Unbundling parking  Creating an Alternative ramp from Rt. 128 The EDAC shared their views that “Unbundling Parking” is a nice policy idea, but that the post pandemic world has put more cars into the commute not less and you cannot bus your way out of this problem in the near term at Hartwell. The EDAC recommended the Town issue an RFI to bus companies to have them recommend options to meet TDM needs. A Recommendation was asked for from the EDAC to the Select Board based on these three ideas. Discussion included raising awareness that there are other organizations like the Association for Commuter Transportation, other communities outside of Massachusetts, OR other major property owners (i.e. Alexandria Real Estate or Boston Properties) who should be part of providing insight on how shuttle operations will be needed. Unbuckling parking costs is not really going to solve anything while the MBTA is not providing robust services to the Town or Hartwell. On creating a new road, the Town composting site or the bike path, or the swamplands, or use of imminent domain should be better understood. Regarding housing, the discussion felt this was an acceptable use because achieving ‘vibrancy’ would mean having more people in the corridor outside of work hours to use any retail and community amenities. The EDAC advised the SB prioritize getting a new road (exit) into Hartwell from Rt 128 (an idea that has been discussed for decades); that housing be an approved use as part of Mixed use Developments of Commercial uses; and that further TDM analysis of shuttle buses needs to be explored. Motion 2: (Passed 5-0-0) Mr. McGaw moved and seconded by the Chair that “In support of the 25% Design Plan for Hartwell Corridor, the Economic Development Advisory Committee advises the Select Board to prioritize further investigation efforts on building a new road to Hartwell Avenue from Rt. 128, that housing be an approved use as part of any mixed-use Commercial redevelopment effort in the corridor, and that further Transportation Management Demand Management analysis of best practices in shuttle bus operations needs to be explored. Ms. Iyer provided and update on 420-430 Bedford Street and that the town is actively working with 5 Hartwell Place on the new parking garage permit. While 2 businesses are closing in Lexington Center, “When Pigs Fly” is opening and “Lexington Liquors” was opening in the old “Catch a Falling Star” space. Starbucks location has some interest but the owner is more interested in coffee shop. Ms. Murray asked how the ED Office operationalizing getting “the right mix” of businesses. There was not a plan in place for this in the town. The EDAC then had a lively discussion about the state of small businesses in Lexington Center. The EDAC acknowledged that for too long the Town has stumbled around the question of the lack of a business plan for Lexington Center, though there are multiple town committees and organizations that care about the Center. Mr. McGaw stressed the Taxpayers just invested $10M in beautification of the Center and yet properties are still showing peeling paint, rotten wood, dull, dreary upkeep AND -- higher rents in a post pandemic crush that is exacerbating the issues. He continued as a town have seen some attempts to improve the situation around margins, like limiting banks and real estate offices. We have seen limited success in recruiting new fast casual dining and have lost some or seen turnover. AND yes – the Town has some businesses that still are great and are still struggling. But what Lexington does not have right now is unity of effort from all stakeholders, including the landlords, to address the issues. Town Govt. Business Groups, Landlords, Residents all need to be working together to ensure the economic vitality of the Center. Recent additional comments of concern from the Mavens Facebook Group further stress that this is a known, and long running issue that is only getting worse. ARPA money is being contributed but there are other variables in play including the MBTA zoning requirement and implementation of recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. McGaw moved that the EDAC recommend to the Select Board that before the EOY, a summit is held with landlords and business leaders (tenants) and the Town Govt to sit down and figure out where the pain points are and how to fix them --- to ensure by the 250th we still have a vibrant town center worthy of the $10M we just invested. Other EDAC members noted that there are other stakeholders and town committees that should be part of the conversation. Discussion of this motion by the EDAC with other attendees focused on additional ideas that could be included in development of solutions: - Use of Tax abatements, rate changes or credits to landlords and/or tenants - Building beautification requirements - Town Staff volunteered to develop reports and insights they have from tenant exit interviews of departing businesses and other landlord and round table conversations - Alignment with Comprehensive Plan findings around what “vibrancy” means residents - Incentives for recruiting specific types of businesses or functions - Improved communications to residents about current state of small business in the area and importance of shopping locally Motion 3: (Passed 4-0-1) Mr. McGaw moved and seconded by Ms. Murray: To take steps urgently to address the loss and turnover of businesses in Lexington Center and pending future losses, and in light of the taxpayers investment of $10M in streetscape improvements, the Economic Development Advisory Committee advises the Select Board to take action to host a summit involving all the relevant stakeholders, including Town staff, committees, landlords, tenants, and business groups to develop unity of effort around improving the vibrancy of the Center. The EDAC voted unanimously to approve the meetings of July 21, 2022 Meeting Minutes. The EDAC voted unanimously to adjourn following their final vote on the Minutes.