2022-09-29-EDAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. McGaw moved that the EDAC support the re-development of 12 Hartwell Avenue as proposed by Greatland to include first floor retail, a goal of 98% electric-power use; solar canopies, and meeting the current intentions of the Town of Lexington to activate the Hartwell redevelopment. Motion 1: (Passed 4-0-1) Mr. McGaw moved and Ms. Murray seconded that “The Economic Development Advisory Committee supports the re-development of 12 Hartwell Avenue as proposed by Greatland to include first floor retail, a goal of 98% electric-power use; garage- mounted solar canopies, to meet Greatland’s and the Town of Lexington’s intention to activate and redevelop the Hartwell Corridor in line with the community’s vision. (McGaw, Murray, Minassian, Ortyl in the affirmative; DeAngelis abstained) Following a presentation from Sheila Page and Ross Murrow, a lively discussion was held regarding the challenges shared by Joe Pato regarding regarding 25% Design of Hartwell Ave and Bedford street corridor- project specific to three areas.  Allow Multi-family Housing on Hartwell  Strong Transportation Demand Management = Unbundling parking  Creating an Alternative ramp from Rt. 128 The EDAC shared their views that “Unbundling Parking” is a nice policy idea, but that the post pandemic world has put more cars into the commute not less and you cannot bus your way out of this problem in the near term at Hartwell. The EDAC recommended the Town issue an RFI to bus companies to have them recommend options to meet TDM needs. A Recommendation was asked for from the EDAC to the Select Board based on these three ideas. Discussion included raising awareness that there are other organizations like the Association for Commuter Transportation, other communities outside of Massachusetts, OR other major property owners (i.e. Alexandria Real Estate or Boston Properties) who should be part of providing insight on how shuttle operations will be needed. Unbuckling parking costs is not really going to solve anything while the MBTA is not providing robust services to the Town or Hartwell. On creating a new road, the Town composting site or the bike path, or the swamplands, or use of imminent domain should be better understood. Regarding housing, the discussion felt this was an acceptable use because achieving ‘vibrancy’ would mean having more people in the corridor outside of work hours to use any retail and community amenities. The EDAC advised the SB prioritize getting a new road (exit) into Hartwell from Rt 128 (an idea that has been discussed for decades); that housing be an approved use as part of Mixed use Developments of Commercial uses; and that further TDM analysis of shuttle buses needs to be explored. Motion 2: (Passed 5-0-0) Mr. McGaw moved and seconded by the Chair that “In support of the 25% Design Plan for Hartwell Corridor, the Economic Development Advisory Committee advises the Select Board to prioritize further investigation efforts on building a new road to Hartwell Avenue from Rt. 128, that housing be an approved use as part of any mixed-use Commercial redevelopment effort in the corridor, and that further Transportation Management Demand Management analysis of best practices in shuttle bus operations needs to be explored.