HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-25-CSDRC-min
Town of Lexington
Center Streetscape Design Review Ad Hoc Committee
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Parker Room, Lexington Town Hall
8:00 AM to 10 AM
Minutes
Attendees:
Committee Members: Committee Chair Howard Levin, Victoria Buckley (Disability
Commission), Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti (Planning Board), Anne L. Eccles (HDC),
Margaret Enders (Bicycle Advisory), John Frey (Tree Comm.), Jonathan A. Himmel
(Tourism), Pamela F. Shadley (Center Comm.)
Liaisons; Elaine C. Doran (Garden Club), David Wells (Historical Society),
Ada Wong (Chamber of Commerce)
Public: Nancy Adler, Susan Bennett, Elizabeth Brach, George Burnell, Mark
Connor, Marilyn Fenollosa, Jay Flynn, Kien Ho (Beta Group), Fred Johnson, Peter
Kelly (BOS), David Kucharsky, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault (DPW), Scott Ridder
(BETA), Francine Stieglitz, Richard Canale (Planning Board)
Chair Howard Levin called the meeting to order at 8:05AM and passed the
attendance sign in sheet. The October 11 minutes were approved.
Marilyn Fenollosa (Chair CPC and HC member) was introduced and gave today's
presentation on Interpretive & Educational Elements - Signage & Wayfinding.
Fenollosa pointed out the many different types of signage existing in the Center
today and the merits of keeping it diverse, and not necessarily sticking with a
brand such as the current brown and white signage. Some of the older signs such
as the Old Burying Ground rock and Old Belfry sign (now replaced) have charm
and interest and historical value. Older signs should be respected and maintained.
She suggested the following points for consideration when designing signage;
Check historical facts, include smart phone apps (where applicable), new Center
signage should include history of commerce in the Center.
Fenollosa cautioned against introducing new designs. She suggested possible new
sites and ideas for signage to include: The Post Office, The Lexington House (site
of CVS), The Depot, Grain Mill Alley, Massachusetts House (site of parking lot
behind Edison Bldg.,) and commemorating the Sasaki plan.
The slate markers currently installed in the Historic District were developed in the
1970s as part of a Bicentennial project. Many are missing or need repair. The
Historical Society is currently working with the Town to replace and reinstall
them. Bennett said the Historical Society has held off on maintenance and repair
until the new Center Design was in place but they are ready to go ahead but need
guidance as to what materials should be used to replace the missing signs.
Tier 2 agrees with and favors a cleaner, minimalist approach in the overall design.
Focus not on 1775, but more on history of commerce in the Center when
designing historic markers. Tier 3 group suggested drawing attention (by way of
plaque) to Lexington as an intellectual community.
The overall center design should be authentic and not "Disneyesque'. Creating
gathering spaces for people who come to shop and dine in the Center helps to
create the vibrancy.
This committee is charged with designing the signage. The content (historical or
otherwise) should be the charge of an additional sub- group.
Levin asked Bennett (LHS) to make a list of potential new ideas for signage
including events and buildings. Bennett responded the LHS will shore up the
existing interpretive system, replace missing signs, reinstall existing signs and
recommend slight adjustment of existing system to incorporate new signage.
May use a CPC application to carry this out.
Levin asked committee to consider elements that are evocative of the history and
not necessarily signage to draw people's interest.
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Margaret (Peggy) Enders presented on Bicycle Use and Parking in the Center
Enders gave a brief history of bicycles in Lexington Center from the early 1900s to
the present. Bicycles have become a booming business again and we need to
address this as part of our design. Bike racks are overcrowded and need to be
more secure. Swerve design racks are preferred over inverted U's. An ideal rack
allows locking two parts of the bike's frame to the rack.
Clustering racks may also serve two purposes: encourage people to walk and
decrease amount of obstacles on sidewalks.
Recommends Bicycle Commission look at Beta's plan to recommend placement of
racks.
Additional suggestions were made including implementing seasonal racks,
incorporating another parklette or converting a few parking spaces.
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Discussion ensued regarding CPA funding of the project. CPA funding cannot be
used for infrastructure which includes sidewalks, streets and parking lots.
However; our sidewalks are part of The Historic District so they may qualify.
Brick would qualify as a material, cement would not. The Town Council is
currently working to determine what elements of the design are eligible for CPA
funding.
Sub groups encouraged to look at their reports and identify elements for possible
CPA funding. Deadline for CPA applications is the end of 2016.
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Lee updated the committee on Tier 2 progress. Discussions are ongoing regarding
the various design elements.
Eccles (Chair, Tier 3), needs DPW input.
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Pinsonnault commented the DPW was asked by the Selectmen to report and
review on the progress of the project. The resulting report was issued on
September 26, 2016 and can be accessed on the Ad-Hoc Committees website.
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Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM.
Note: Additional meeting date added: Monday, November 14th, 8 -10AM
Place: Parker Room