2006-12-14-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Unifying Signage Dawn McKenna presented the project on behalf of the Tourism Committee, to create unifying signage throughout Lexington in four categories: directional, site specific, story telling and welcome. The request of $21,500 is for directional and site-specific signs, as well as one storytelling sign on the Battle Green. David Kelland, Lexington Historical Society, asked what category this project fits under. Dawn McKenna said the project is appropriate under historic preservation of the CPA because of the marking of historic sites, and is also eligible under CPA administrative expenses. David Kanter endorses the directional signs. Masha Traber is supportive of the project. David Kelland thinks the Historical Commission should be part of any discussions to move the existing sign at Waltham St. and Marrett Rd. Richard Pagett asked if David Kelland had been to any of the four public hearings on the matter and reiterated that the State Highway Department is in charge of that project. Douglas House Project Rachel Dorr of Supportive Living, Inc. described the project to convert the printing press property at 7 Oakland Street to 15 units of housing for brain injury survivors. Eleven of the units are affordable housing. SLI is asking for $750,000 toward the project. This project adds 15 units to the count of affordable housing in Lexington. Norman Cohen asked that the applicant get written confirmation of this assertion. In response to several questions from the audience, Rachel Dorr explained that SLI has owned the property since May 2004 and has been working to get funding since then. They want to enhance the property with a few things that State programs and grants won’t pay for, such as interior enhancements for common space in the basement and pedestrian access from Oakland Street to the Center. The largest portion of the request, $600,000 is to make the basement useful. Under $75,000 would be used for the walkway. SLI is willing to accept the following restrictions on the property: a preservation easement on the façade, the property is used as affordable housing in perpetuity, and public access across the property. Rachel Dorr said that these are rental units, not a clinical facility. Matt Finch of Percy Rd. is a Rehabilitation Doctor and was involved in the Woburn and North Reading projects. He is available for questions now or in private from citizens who are concerned about what kind of neighbors the residents of this facility would make. Walking / Bike Trail Keith Omhart described the project on behalf of the Lexington Conservation Stewards and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Recreation Committee and Conservation Committee are also sponsoring the project. The request is for $125,000 to develop a master plan for connecting all of Lexington’s conservation lands west of I-95 with a pedestrian and mountain bicycle accessible trail. The first priority is to connect the Minuteman Bikeway with the Battle Road Trail in Minuteman National Historical Park.