2011-07-28-EDAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Economic Development Advisory Committee July 28, 2011 Public Services Building Training Room, 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 8:00am- 9:30am MINUTES PRESENT: Chair John McWeeney, Vice Chair Narain Bhatia, Larry Smith, Bruce Embry, Sigmar Tullmann Present, guests- State Representative Jay Kaufman, State Senator Susan Fargo, State Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly, Colonel Thomas Schluckebier USAF Ret. Chief Civil Engineer Hanscom Liaison, non - voting: George Burnell (Selectmen), Peter C.J. Kelley (Selectmen), Greg Zurlo (Planning) Staff present: Carl Valente, Aaron Henry, and Michelle Stevens Bill Hadley, Town Engineer Meeting was called to order at 8:00am. Discussion regarding _ infrastructure needs for continuing economic development on Hartwell Avenue: Greg Zurlo stated the Town of Lexington recently changed the zoning requirements on Hartwell Avenue, permitting more intensive development estimated at an additional 650,000 sf and 3,000 jobs on the commercial corridor. Aaron Henry stated the Town has preliminarily estimated infrastructure needs for Hartwell Avenue area to range between $26 and $30 million. In regards to necessary infrastructure improvements, Bill Hadley said the bridge over wetlands on Hartwell Avenue does not meet current - MassDOT weight requirements and needs approximately $300,000 in road improvements. He also said that it is critical to have the bridge functioning. Larry Smith said it was important that a representative from the Hanscom Air Force Base is involved in the Hartwell Avenue discussions because Hanscom is the largest employer along this corridor and an important driver of economic development in the region. Colonel Tom Schluckebier updated the Committee that Hanscom has experienced a reduction in staffing but the population at Hanscom was likely to remain flat. State Representative Jay Kaufman stated infrastructure improvements along the corridor are key to further economic development. Representative Kaufman also stated that finding funding for the infrastructure improvements could be difficult and that the Town should not expect Federal funding. State Senator Ken Donnelly stated some funding is available for infrastructure improvements relating to economic development, especially in the high -tech belt. Representative Kaufman suggested a couple of next steps, including putting together an economic development plan for the corridor and proposed a possible meeting with Greg Balecki, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing & Economic Develo ment. Senator Susan Faro also suggested meeting with the 128 Business Council. Finally, Carl Valente suggested meeting with the property owners on Hartwell Avenue. John McWeeney said there was a serious vacancy concern last year on Hartwell Avenue but the corridor has seen improvements and it is important to continue these economic development efforts. The Committee approved Minutes from June 23, 2011. Receive update on new zoning _ c ode: The Committee received an update from Senior Planner Aaron Henry regarding the new zoning code. Mr. Henry stated that there is a new format that makes it more reader friendly. But updated in conformity to recent legal decisions. Narian Bhatia stated this was a fantastic proposed change. However, Mr. Bhatia stated he had concerns that the general public would have difficult C:ADocuments and Settings\lmaguire\Local Settings \Temporary Internet Files \OLK105 \EDAC_Minutes_07 -28 -11 rev (2).doc