HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Scoping Group Summary 06-17-2004Economic Development Scoping Group Summary
June 17, 2004
Background: Lexington Center is experiencing high turnover of businesses. Currently there
are six or so empty stores. High rentals, parking and traffic in peak hours are considered
major issues. Lexington Center Committee recently proposed strengthening of a Center
Business District (Article 11 of 2004 Warrant) to change some zoning bylaws and satisfy
parking requirements without a zoning variance. The article was not approved. The planning
department has developed a Comprehensive Plan that addresses many issues of economical
development and has identified the need for an EDO, some creative zoning and many other
suggestions for increasing growth in Lexington. The report notes that Lexington is almost
fully built -- it has only 600 acres of undeveloped land in the town of 10,000 acres. It
identifies five commercial clusters -- Hartwell Ave, Hayden Ave, Lexington Center,
Bedford/Waltham and Rte 2A/Mass Ave. Together they represent about 4 0 million sq. ft. of
business floor area. Center represents about 10% of the total commercial floor area.
Key Issues:
How to maintain and improve the Center. How to attract and retain the right mix of
businesses in the Center, center being more than a source of real estate taxes. Its historic
character and utility make it a "living room" of the residents of the town and hence even a
slight deterioration receives a disproportionate emotional response from all the stakeholders.
How to recruit and retain sustainable commercial businesses, corporate headquarters and
similar entities to the non -Center areas of Lexington. Lexington is not considered by many a
"business friendly" town and lacks "one stop" resource center for businesses.
Stakeholders:
Business Partnership Group - landlord/developers
Retailers Group
Chamber of Commerce
Lexington Center Committee
Planning Board
Zoning Board of Appeals
MAPC - Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Design Advisory Committee
Historic Development Commission
Historical society
Selectmen, Town Manager, Finance Committees and Town Meeting Members,
Leading civic groups - Rotary Club, Lions Club.
Residents of the town
Ideas for Further Consideration: The scoping group recommends forming a Task Force on
this topic to consider options and proposed actions. Specific ideas include establishment of a
Business Overlay District with retail and other commercial components, and creation of a
Business Development Commission (BDC) to market Lexington.
Scoping Group Members: Narain Bhatia, Mary Jo Bohart, Don Jansen, Fernando Quezada,
Jerome Smith