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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22-EDAC-min Town of Lexington Economic Development Advisory Committee Minutes of Meeting of January 22, 2015 EDAC A meeting of the was held on Thursday, January 22 at 8:40 a.m. in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building at 1625 Mass Ave. Members Present : John McWeeney, George Burnell, Rick DeAngelis, Narain Bhatia, Larry Smith, Sig Tullman, and Lelani Loder joined by telephone. Liaisons Present: Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Joe Pato (Board of Selectmen) Staff Present: Carl Valente, Melisa Tintocalis Members Absent: Tom Dusel, Bob Richards Action Items: Set up a meeting with senior-level Cubist/Merck representatives and Town officials (Melisa) Draft comments to Board of Selectmen on zoning articles (Melisa) Invite Mark Sandeen with Sustainable Lexington to present on solar proposal for Town-owned site in Hartwell (Melisa) Organize the next steps for a brokers open house in the spring that features Lexington (Melisa) The meeting was called to order at 8:40 a.m. and acted on the following items: December 2014 minutes were reviewed and approved; Larry moved to approve and David Pronchick seconded the . motion Charles Hornig, Planning Board Chair, reported on proposed zoning articles for Spring Town Meeting including 1) a citizen’s petition by Ethan Handwerker, 2) zoning boundary adjustments in the small commercial districts, 3) zoning Tracer Lane to commercial, 4) adding language that would allow for site plan review for structures, such as a parking structure, 5) technical corrections, 6) a proposed bank moratorium in the CB district, and 7) a proposal for a new district, entitled “civic use” for public land. The committee did not take a position on any of the articles presented by Mr. Hornig. However, the committee discussed in general terms the potential impacts that the moratorium could have on the Center as well as a new designation, such as civic use, could have on future development. Cubist permit application put on hold by applicant due to the merger with Merck. The committee members discussed the value of meeting with Merck and Cubist officials. John McWeeney requested that a meeting be set-up with town officials and the companies’ leaders. Committee members agreed, and urge officials to encourage the new property owners to continue permit process to expand the development on the site. Melisa Tintocalis reported she communicated with Bob Richards in order to develop a spring broker open house inviting commercial brokers and commercial property owners to get interest in leasing and development in Lexington. Ms. Tintocalis reported the January Hartwell Ave Association meeting had a positive tone, especially given the recent tax split increase. She that there remained enthusiasm for the REV bus, and that some landlords are passing along cost to tenants. Committee members were asked if they would like a presentation on the proposed solar panels at the landfill to which there was positive response and a request that Melisa schedule Sustainable Lexington to join the EDAC at the February meeting. Larry Smith presented an aerial perspective of Hanscom and Air Force info on Enhanced use leases. More work needed to see if any opportunities for more revenue without negative impacts. at 9:40AM Meeting Adjourned: Next meeting: Wednesday, February 18, 2015