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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-14-LCC-minTown of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of April 14th, 2022, Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall Building, Basement, Lexington, Massachusetts 8:30 am. Center Committee members present: T. Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (chair), Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin Liaisons: Doug Lucente (Select Board), Mike Beaudett, Capital Expenditures Committee, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Casey Hagerty, Economic Development Department, John Livsey, Chief Engineer, Matt Weisman, Senior Civil Engineer Guest: Koren Stembridge, Director of the Cary Library; Maggie Peard, Sustainability Director We began with everyone introducing themselves and welcomed our two new members, Eric Ballard and Jon Wakelin. John Livsey discussed the upcoming parking lot reconstruction projects in the Center. Town Meeting funded design work for two parking lots. It is likely that the Muzzey lot (aka Michelson’s lot) and a “big one” will be chosen (one large and one small lot.) John will be coming back to the Center Committee with some concepts. John also noted that everything is taking longer, staffing, consultants, materials due to supply chain and general dislocation issues. Jerry Michelson and Doug Lucente expressed concern that all construction be completed prior to 2025. John indicated that all work would be done before then. Pam Shadley strongly urged that the CVS lot be chosen because it is in “total failure” and reconstruction would provide a significant public benefit – we would get the ‘biggest bang for our buck.” Pam also reported that she withdrew from the consulting position, even though it was permissible, out of caution and there could be a perception of a conflict of interest. Doug asked about the guidance that we would give to the parking lot design people. What does Pam’s design (from 2012) look like? How can we better connect the CVS and Depot Lot. Pam gave a detailed description of her very excellent CVS lot design which, among other things emphasized pedestrian safety, in light of the big trucks traversing the lot. John Livsey noted that the Grain Mill Alley design is complete and DPW is doing this as a change order with the Streetscape contract. Mike Boudett asked “where are we trying to steer people” – to Mass Ave? to the rear entrances of buildings? Two lots are bisected by the bikeway – which is tricky. Pam noted the opportunity to locate bike parking near Craft Cleaners and that the path from the bikeway to Edison Way can be made accessible. John gave an overview of the Streetscape Project mentioning: lots of bumpouts for pedestrian safety, new trees!, benches and plantings with seat walls. John Wakelin asked about the area from the Police Station to Woburn Street. This area will be repaved only. John Livsey has seen fifteen different designs for this location and none have been approved. This is the worst and most traveled stretch of road in Lexington. There will be an override vote on the Police Station on June 6th. Fred Johnson noted that the bad road conditions do reduce traffic speed. Work is going forward April 19th (after Patriot’s Day) to November 15th. John gave a helpful slide presentation of the work to be done. There is a robust communication plan for businesses and residents. Doug had some questions regarding apparent deterioration of tree grates. The rust develops a lovely patina over time. One broken grate was run over by a truck driver. That will be replaced. John described the process for dealing with damaged bricks. Because it has enough width, It is unlikely that Mass Ave will ever have to be closed for repaving. We might have to do one lane alternating for a short time. Koren Stembridge discussed the current situation at Cary Library. Glad to be open, foot traffic still down, circulation is almost all back. The children’s room will be renovated (having received design funds form TM a few years ago.) Current design is outdated and not entirely safe We were reminded that the Library is an anchor in the Center. Maggie Peard is Lexington’s new Sustainability Director joined us by telephone. She will be full time in June. Mike asked about more EV chargers in the Center lots and Richard inquired about Center focused sustainability efforts, including reducing driving. Mike noted that the Sustainability Committee was looking into reusable takeout containers and other packaging concepts. Jerry noted that certain single use bags are banned and urged the consideration of how to deal with cardboard and paper waste. The Committee declined to pursue a discussion mixed use and greater height in the Center without someone from the Planning Board. Eight (!) new businesses are coming into the Center. Among them, a high end Sake bar in the old Taco/Crepe Place, Fiorella’s Restaurant on Waltham Street, Refill store (Center Goods) opening soon in old Omar’s space. Stretch Med is finally opening. Enterprise Bank in the Private Bank space. Jerry suggested pop up stores in the old Starbucks location. Two big spaces are still open – Bulpan and Sanyo. Conte Bikes is going into the Panera Space. Liquor store going into Catch a Falling Star location. (New) Crafty Yankee is doing well. Inspire Bowl (smoothies) going into the old Hair Cuttery space. LABBB is having a BBQ and beer festival in the Depot Parking Lot on May 14th. This is also Earth Day in Lexington. Casey and Sandhya presented the EDD’s new business toolkit on the EDD webpages. Doug noted that just getting a sign is a painful process. Four different entities must weigh in. Sandhya is working on streamlining this process. Fred suggested that we reach out to the Lexington Times and the Lexington Observer to get this good news out.