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