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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-23-CSDRC-min Town of Lexington Center Streetscape Design Review Ad Hoc Committee Tuesday August 23, 2016 Parker Room, ground floor of the Town Office Building, 1625 Mass Ave. Lexington, MA 8:00 am to 10:00 am MINUTES Attendance: Members: Victoria C. Buckley (Disability Commission), Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti (Planning Board), Anne L. Eccles (HDC), Margaret S. Enders (Bicycle Advisory), John W. Frey (Tree), Jonathan A. Himmel (Tourism), Wendall C. Kalsow (Historical Comm), Timothy D. Lee (Design Advisory), Howard L. Levin (Chair), Pamela F. Shadley (Center Committee), Liaisons and Guests: Elaine Doran (Garden Club), Glenn Parker (Appropriations), David. Wells (Hist. Society), Ada Wong (Chamber), John Livsey (DPW), David Pinsonneault (DPW), Nancy Adler, Jeri Zeder, Richard Murry Davis, Mark Connor, Fred Johnson, Megan Zammuto, Elizabeth Brach The Meeting was called to order at 8 AM. Attendees were welcomed, and asked to sign in. Ann -HDC pattern changes for bike node at grain mill alley approved and bike rack approved. Sample of approved design passed out for review. Ann also photos of proposed building alterations along Mass. Ave. Victoria – brought and displayed additional brick samples color options Spaulding brick co. For ramps FIRST TIER RESPONSE DRAFT REVIEW LIGHTING: Discussion of firm decisions on lighting direction and draft content. Pam passed out updated recommendations for lighting including accommodations for bikes and the need to hire a lighting designer Updated cut sheets for fixture for pedestrian and overhead roadway lights were provided and reviewed. A solid panel can be added for top panel on the Sasaki lantern style pedestrian light to address the 'dark sky' initiative. Consultant to retain a lighting designer to provide comprehensive lighting design for the center design. Request to be made at public meeting. Howard - reminder that this is a public and political process. John Frey - up lighting can be visually distraction. Pam noted that the draft didn't want to take any lighting options off the table. Wendell – wanted to move request for lighting designer to first paragraph. Victoria - lighting critical to create enough lighting for cross walks and pathways especially at night. A question was asked to Ann if there has been any conversation by the HDC on the use of more contemporary lights in the center and historic districts. Ann said that all lighting types are discussed but typically safety trumps style. 1 Howard – Is glare an issue with LEDs or for any of the fixtures. It was commented that this would be the responsibility of the lighting designer. J. Livsey - asked what requirements/qualifications is the committee looking for fro the designer. Generally agreed that typical licensing and trade qualifications as well as experience with this project type. Peggy - Holiday lights are up for 3-4 months and they can be distracting for the bike riders can they be removed earlier. John Livsey - commented that they would most likely that DPW would not be able to remove them any sooner then they already do. Pam - Holiday lights can be factored in by the lighting designer to minimize glare and improve safety. To determine correct lamp in Sasaki light two different lamps can be used. Wendell - mock-up of fixtures and lamps is a good idea and should be done. Can existing fixtures be retro-fitted and reused? Pam – commented that all fixtures and poles should be replaced for long term replacement value in the future. Would poles be reused warranties can be an issue on replacement as a whole? Replacing them on a whole probably better. Does lighting maintenance include glass cleaning etc., generally yes but the lighting design of the fixture and the lamp inside design can compensate for dirt build up on the glass. SIDEWALK: Sidewalk wrap up and finalize sidewalk report Put in as many specifications as we can in our report to avoid issues incurred on previous south side installation. Color contrast on ramps is necessary for optimum use. Have DPW review what we are proposing before presenting at the public meeting, in case any adjustments need to be made to the report for collaborative reasons. Is further evaluation on south side needed? Generally yes we should know everything we can about that project and its execution to avoid the same pitfalls. For solid recommendations we must keep maintenance and cost in consideration. Verify maintenance annual cost with DPW. Report to be inclusive of entire center district all the way to Woburn St. to bring aesthetic treatment of entire area. PUBLIC HEARING: Draft report tier one. Responsibilities for subcommittee members, timing. Added meeting dates for preparation. Have a more robust report now with details nailed down. Town support, funding PowerPoint Include history Story board presentation Review and discussion of Tiers 2 and 3 components, revised from original Committee Charge to incorporate and better organize all aspects of the Charge. Updated Tier elements agreed to as follows: NEW Tier 2: Overall layout and site design: pedestrian, bicyclist, and driving experience Landscaping (trees, shrubs, structural soil) Irrigation and infrastructure 2 Street Furnishings Benches, Tables and Chairs Bicycle Parking Trash Receptacles/Recycling Buffers and Edges (Thin planters, Stone walls, bollards, Edging) Storm-water including Infiltration basins NEW Tier 3: Interpretive and Educational Elements Imbedded in and along sidewalk Interpretive signage and markers Materials (posts, plaques and markers) Interface with Grain Mill Alley (activity area?) Signage and Way-finding Roadway features: Crosswalk and median materials Disruption, budgeting and cost control strategies Committee Follow-through Oversight and Project Management Howard to prepare and circulate new Work Plan for Tiers 2 and 3. Tier 2 and 3 drafting subcommittees formed: Tier 2 Subcommittee: Tim Lee (Chair), Peggy Enders, John Frey, David Wells, Mark Connor. Tier 3 Subcommittee: David Wells (Chair), Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Fred Johnson, Mark Connor Summary of Upcoming Meetings/Public Hearings: Tier 1 Subcommittee, to prepare for public hearing: Tues. August 30th 7-9 PM in Parker Room (ground floor of Town Office Bldg.) Tues. September 6th 7-9 PM in REED Room (first floor of Town Office Bldg.) PUBLIC HEARING, Tuesday, September 13th at 7:30 PM, Estabrook Hall. Board of Selectmen Presentation, Monday September 26th in BOS Meeting Room (tentative) Center Streetscape Committee Meetings, all at 8-10 AM in the Parker Room: Monday September 19th Tuesdays, Sept. 27th, October 11th, October 25th, and November 8th The meeting was adjourned at10 AM. 3