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Home My WebLink About1987-10-29-LCC-min.pdf f j LEXINGTON CENTER COMMITTEE October 29 , 1987 Selectmen' s Meeting Room PRESENT: Chairman Battin , Mary Hastings , Marian Powell ,Norma Bogen, Ed Barsamian, Bill Bowen, Carla Fortmann. Also in attendance were John Eddison and Leo McSweeney, Board of Selectmen and Angela Frick, MAPC Liaison. MINUTES The minutes of the LCC meeting on September 24 , 1987 , were approved as corrected. LIBRARY CROSSWALK Mrs. Battin referred to the LCC request to Susan Adler that in the interest of safety and usefulness , the Library crosswalk be relocated so that it directly connects the Library with the Visitors Center , rather than the present diagonal path. TRAFFIC, PARKING, DECK SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Bill Bowen reported on progress with gathering information on the financial aspects of the parking deck project. He listed a number of other towns/cities which have built or are in the process of building parking facilities of some type , using State funds. He had received indications that a proposal should be made on an economic basis i. e. pressures from the Mall; impact on Center businesses because of lack of parking. He had been told that CARD procedures were not necessary and might even prove to be detrimental. He was given encouragement that State funds would be available and a firm proposal would have to be made to the state with a site designated, the number of spaces planned and the need documented. Norma Bogen ' s explorations had revealed essentially the same info. Grants can be obtained up to 75% of construction costs , with funding probably available. She also noted that the CARD District designation can be waived for communities of over 20, 000 if specific improvements would be provided by the project. David Wells noted that although there has been discussion of several sites , it appears that the Meriam Street lot would be the only suitable location in the near future. The Committee decided that the use of the Library and adjacent lots will also be explored as possible better geographically but harder to acquire because of mixing public and private lots. With regard to presentation to the Selectmen, D. Wells pointed out that in addition to specifics on location and size of the deck, estimates on construction and operating costs should be submitted. Marian Powell asked for an accounting of funds in the Parking Meter account re: current balance, income and expenditures for the past five years. Mr. Eddison pointed out that the fund is used for parking-related purposes only and doubted that the current balance was very substantial. -2- The need for early involvement of abuttors in the process was discussed. It was agreed that a fairly well advanced idea of what is proposed should be presented to them at the time of the initial announcement of the project. Bob Bowyer will be asked by the Parking Subcommittee for any available information on parking facility construction and operating costs. David Wells urged that the request be made through the Selectmen or Town Manager. Mr. Eddison felt that the Planning Board should be made aware of the request for Mr. Bowyer' s service with respect to the work load in the Planning Office. Mr. Wells said that if money were to be available for architectural drawings from which cost estimates could be derived , it would facilitate the process. Carla Fortmann recommended that a list of agreed-upon specifics be compiled at this point. The Committee agreed on the following : 1. one story, for 100 cars 2. concrete 3. well lit and landscaped 4. two-level parking, with the lower level semi-subground It was agreed that Parking Sub-committee Bill Bowen, Ed Barsamian and Dave Wells will discuss the above-mentioned list in relationship to both the Meriam Street and Library lots, at a meeting with Bob Bowyer and Bob Ossman to get rough estimates of possible footprint, physical layout and costs so that this can be presented first to the Selectmen and Chamber to see if there is agreement that the LCC proceed to further explore this parking expansion option. Possible use of the attendant for more efficient use of this new space was considered. Also discussed was the feasibility of raising parking meter fees i. e. from 5 to 10$ per half hours. Carla Fortmann suggested raising the fee now to 10$ which would allow the parking fund to build up over the next year , for use toward the deck project. Marian Powell and Dave Wells referred to current Chamber opposition to any fee hike because of adverse affect on business in the Center. OTHER BUSINESS Dave Wells referred to the one-way traffic pattern between the liquor store and Baybank. He felt that the direction should be reversed for safety reasons. Committee members and the Police will monitor the situation. The Committee concurred with Mr. Bowen' s suggestion that one-way arrow signs be installed at the Mass. Avenue end of Muzzey Street. Leo McSweeney will explore installation of sidewalk signs warning pedestrians of exiting cars at the Pewter Pot exit driveway. CROSSWALK OBSERVANCE Marian Powell reported on the status of the Public Schools art contest, planned to publicize the crosswalk observance program. Beginning last Spring, all details had been arranged and agreed to by the School Dept. , with participation of students from all schools. The decision had been made that the poster work would be part of the curriculum of the Art Dept. • -3- The day before the posters were to be submitted for judging, she had been told that because of the prize money involved, the students were not allowed to be involved and had worked on LEXPRESS posters instead. This decision had been made by the Head of the Art Dept. Mary Hastings had suggested that a letter from the LCC , asking that school children enter the contest on their own, be distributed to all school principals. She and Marge Battin will confer with the Acting Supt of Schools as soon as possible to establish guide- lines for the entry of students in the contest and to discuss the communication break-down regarding contest plans and commitments. COORDINATION WITH HDC & DAC Marge Battin reported that it was agreed at a joint meeting of the Chairman of the HDC, DAC and LCC that the DAC & LCC jointly develop Center design guidelines with review and comment by the HDC before they are adopted. It was agreed that whenever applicable, the LCC will send the HDC a memo on any projects appearing before the HDC that have been initiated or approved by the LCC. HANGING SIGNS - SIGN BY-LAW The LCC, DAc and HDC will work together to review and if necessary recommend changes in the sign by-law to the Planning Board to make it easier to have hanging signs either as a right or by making a Special Permit easier to obtain. MAUNDER' S REQUEST Norma reported on Maunder ' s request from the Board of Appeals for a Special Permit to expand its operation by installing Pizza Ovens, Fryalator and Grill in the back area behind the meat counters. The LCC agreed that more information regarding this request was needed and formulated a statement to be sent to the Board of Appeals including its concerns regarding the request. The concerns of the committee were: Increased trash and litter Odors emanating from the ovens Increase in traffic Possible abuse of no parking lane in front of building Evening parking demand U.S .S. LEXINGTON MEMORIAL - "BLUE GHOST" Mr. Eddison referred to an agenda item to be taken up at the Selectmen' s meeting on Monday, November 2. The Lion' s Club is in the process of gaining permission to install a memorial of the U.S .S . Lexington in the area of the Visitor' s Center. The design of the memorial is considered to be good by the Historic Districts and Mr. Eddison. There is some concern with the location and its possible intrusion on the open are in front of the Visitor' s Center. Several members of the LCC will attend the Selectmen' s Meeting to hear the entire presentation by Peter DiMatteo, designer, and them will walk the site with the HDC, DAC in order to obtain a clearer picture of the possible location. It is hoped the committees can then make a joint recommendation regarding the best location. 1 { -4- CENTER LITTER Bowen expressed concern about addedrthatorts moreneeded tO educational Bill Jack Eddison in the keep the wereentne cleaner .dokeep up with the litter not only efforts needed to help places such as Glen Eric' s where schoolo of the Centertsghber in other equipment. meet. students gather. Bob Ossmanwill meet icated cleanup JgckpEddison and more sophist progress staff Bob discuss using with this map from the b Ossman will also meet �"'lossible help pson to discuss p on the Center base map and the p Engineering Dept. The next meeting of the LCC will be on Thursday , November 19 at 12 Noon in the Selectmen' s Meeting Room. The meeting adjourned at 1: 55 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Marion H. Snow Audrey E. Deshler