2004-07-21-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Galaitsis, Harden, Manz and planning staff Garber and Tap present. Mr. Davies and Ms. McCall - Taylor were absent. Joining the Board were the following members of the Lexington Center Committee: Mr. Fred Johnson, Mr. Jerome Smith, Selectman Richard Pagett, Mr. Jerry Michelson, Ms. Mary Jo Bohart (Chamber of Commerce), Ms. Elaine Dratch, Ms. Sara Arnold, and Mr. Robert Bicknell. Carl Greenberg, an interested resident, was also present. LEXINGTON CENTER INITIATIVE Lexington Center Physical Enhancement Project Mr. Kastorf briefly recapped the joint meeting of the Planning Board and Center Committee on June 9, 2004. Since then, everyone had received a copy of Lexington Center Analysis 2004, compiled by Taintor and Associates, Inc. with staff assistance, and Mr. Kastorf asked for their reactions to it. In general, they were very pleased with the information it presented. It defines the general issues and the parking comparison of Lexington Center to other roughly comparable municipalities is especially useful. They were glad that the report contained some concrete recommendations, along with a digest of information on the center from past studies. It was agreed that what is currently needed is effective action toward some visible center enhancements. Parking The "400 pound Gorilla ".• Potential changes to the way parking in the center is approached were weighed. Employee parking in prime customer spaces is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Among the sub - topics were: satellite parking areas, with or without shuttle service; rethinking of contract parking; employer incentives to encourage alternate commuting and parking by employees; and cooperation between employers. Signage: Ms. Bohart reported that the Tourism Committee is working toward coherent "themed" signage for visitors, starting at Route 95/128. More "way- finding" signs are needed. Adding to the challenge of moving forward on this, signage in the center must meet the Historic Districts Commission's standards. Connectivity: Basic improvements to the center to provide convenient parking and to promote pedestrian - circulation emerged as a top - priority goal. Under this topic, the participants discussed how to "establish an action - oriented, expedited program of small scale physical enhancements at selected locations in Lexington Center, for the following purposes: removing barriers to pedestrian access between properties; improving pedestrian and vehicular circulation; providing better information on the preceding for users and customers; pursuing other pedestrian amenities; beautifying, where feasible, in the public and private domain." (from General Outline of Action Plan, 7- 16 -04) Daphne's list mentioned. – The Bicycle Advisory Committee has drawn -up a plan for enhancements at the Meriam Street parking lot entrance. – Funds for immediate improvements need to be "cobbled together ". It was suggested that a Business Improvement District (BID) --- comprising the stakeholders —would best accomplish such improvements. In response to those who worried that a BID would end up providing basic services like snow plowing and trash collection, Mr. Garber indicated that the Town must provide certain baseline services, to which BID members assent. It was agreed to invite a representative of the Hyannis BID to come to Lexington to explain their proven success. It was agreed that there must be a fundamental change in the approach to Center Business District issues. Ms. Arnold indicated that the Transportation Advisory Committee wants to be involved. The group agreed that participation should be widened., in increments, and that meetings should tackle one topic at a