Laserfiche WebLink
Breadcrumb Navigation:
<br /> <br />Town of Lexington <br />Economic Development Advisory Committee <br /> <br />February 11, 2011 <br />Legion Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue <br />Lexington, MA <br />8:00am-9:30am <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />Present: Chair John McWeeney, Vice Chair Narain Bhatia, Frederick DeAngelis, Jerold <br />Michelson, David Pronchick, Lawrence Smith, Greg Zurlo (Planning), Charles Hornig (Planning) <br />Staff: Aaron Henry, Brianna Olson, Carl Valente, Susan Yanofsky <br /> <br />Meeting was called to order at 8:06am <br />Updates were provided on the activity on Hartwell Avenue by Charles Hornig. <br />12-18 Hartwell Avenue was before the Planning Board on February 10, for the second hearing on their <br />application. The hearing was continued. C. Hornig reported that some members do not like the strip mall <br />and that the applicant has eliminated the office portion of the project. <br />The Planning Board has two items on the Warrant removing the “renovation” language around the traffic <br />bylaw and rezoning the residential parcel on Hartwell Avenue. <br />The applicants to the TMOD are presently using the 128 Business Council memberships as their <br />transportation management association. <br />A. Henry provided an update on the zoning re-codification and reminded the committee that this initial <br />scope is narrow; the scope will reformat our zoning and bring the language up to current legal standards. <br />Larry Smith provided an update on Hanscom AFB. The base is reorienting the awarding of contracts. They <br />are going to be controlled by small businesses rather than the large firms that have the current <br />advisory/procurement contracts. L. Smith added that with this policy we may see more multi-tenant <br />buildings on Hartwell. <br />D. Pronchick stated that with the move of the Air Force Research Lab completed by the end of September <br />there will be approximately 30 buildings vacant on base. Again, it was suggested that we look at where we <br />are on the promised improvement in the BRAC. <br />C. Valente briefly described the Town’s RFP process for allowing an anaerobic digestion at the compost <br />facility on Hartwell. There were questions as to the truck traffic, smells and any potential tax revenue. <br /> <br />S. Yanofsky asked the members advice on creating a expedited permit program for Hartwell development <br />projects which are in harmony with Town goals, such as sustainable building. R. DeAngelis stated that a <br />policy is a great thing but bringing all the heads together and getting that commitment is vital. R. DeAngelis <br />also stressed the importance of “perception” and a spirit of cooperation. C. Valente stated that there are road <br />blocks and competing interests. For example in roadway design, fire and conservation have different <br />approaches. <br />N. Bhatia stated that it would be useful create a fast track. G. Zurlo asked whether the Development Review <br />Team doesn’t affect the process. C. Valente stated that it does not because the boards are independent. R. <br />DeAngelis stated that it would be very helpful to have permanent agenda item whereby Town staff, such as <br />the building commissioner, come to our meetings. <br /> <br />Meeting adjourned at 9:30am <br /> <br />Next meeting will be March 14 at 8am. <br /> <br /> <br />C:\Documents and Settings\dhooper\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK102\Minutes 2-11-11.doc <br />