HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-08-LCC-min.pdf LEXINGTON CENTER COMMIlatE
September 8, 1988
PRESENT: Mrs. Battin, Bob Ossman, Bill Bowen, Ed Barsamian, David Wells,
Norma Bogen, Carla Fortran, Marian Powell. Also attending were
Martha Woods, Planning Board; Jack Eddison, Selectman.; Frank Fields,
Engineering; Jere Frick, MAPC Representative; Joyce Miller, Conservation;
and Liz Banks, Minute Man.
MINUTES: The minutes of the L.C.C. meeting of June 30, 1988 were accepted as
presented.
PARKING SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
Dave Wells - The sub Committee is actively taking inventory of the public and
private parking facilities in the Center area. The group has broken down the map
of the area into 6/7 districts which will include the location of hydrants, cross
walks., bus stops, etc.
Bob Ossman - Regerred to the original map that was developed by him and the
VoTech students. Some flaws in the original map have been discovered and are now
being rectified. _ Two diazo mylar reproductions have been developed. On the back
of one of them will be a synopsis of the information of inventory of spaces which
will include where the spaces are located and how big they are. The second map
will include the bikeway plan and suggest ways to improve parking configurations.
Bill Bowen - The measuring of parking spaces is basically completed and at this
time the sense of the group is that there are no undiscovered spaces available in
the immediate Center. There are spaces available now outside the immediate Center
which would require short walking distance and would provide the optimum solution to
the parking problem. There are 30 all day spaces on the upper end of the Battle
Green which would be available from September on. Meter parking is in short supply
and it appears that from 8:15 a.m. on that meter stuffing is done on a regular basis.
The 30 spaces in the Belfrey lot are being occupiPr3 all day but the spacesin the
Church of Our Redeemer are not.
Frank Fields - Parking at the Arts/Crafts building, Belfrey and Meriam Lots are
utilized. The permit parking available at the School Administration Bldg. is filling.
Chamber members have requested members to utilize off center parking by employees.
Non members and non compliers are not responding to communications- from the Chamber.
Dave Wells - The Chamber is limited because of many businesses who do not belong
to their group. The unknowns of the impact of the completion of the Bikeway and
the burned out buildings have contributed to a false sense of security as to the
availability of parking spaces for employees.
Frank Fields - The original intent of permit parking was to relieve the crunch
of the noon time rush.
Dave Wells - The guaranteed space as a result of permit parking has not been
successful. Possibly issuing doublekpe'mits . --
be
-be co - =•
Bill Bowen - All day permits are available behind sane of the churches. Maybe
offering a lower incentive rate for permits is an option.
Frank Fields - Drastic decrease in rate would be needed to inspire better usage
of permit parking.
Joyce Miller - Street sign on her street is now 10:00 a.m. on. Changing the sign
to 9:00 a.m. would help to eliminate ticketing on cars for employees needing all day
spaces.
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Mrs. Battin - The necessity for completion of the study to establish where
and how large the parking areas are is more and more apparent.
Enablement Committee request for additional parking
Bill Bowen - Has noted that most handicapped spaces are not heavily utilized
and that there is no meter at the handicapped space at Muzzey St. and Theatre
Pharmacy location.
Mrs. Battin - There is a legal requirement to provide at least one more
handicapped space in the Center Area. Parking committee will review enablement
committee's request.
Bikeway Spaces
Jack Fddison - The Lease pertaining to the ROW would allow use of the area
up to the guardrail of the Bikeway for Town parking.
Frank Fields - The loss of at least 60 spaces upon the completion of the
Bikeway is a surety. There maybe one car length of space but no maneuverability
space available.
Dave Wells - There is a possibility that the loss of spaces would exceed 60.
Jack Eddison - Some construction of the Bikeway will be done this fall but
is more likely to take place in the Spring of 89. As the money for the construction
of the Bikeway is State controlled there must be space along the Bikeway for
possible expansion of rail service by the State.
Belfrey Lot
Frank Fields - There are now 32 parking spaces in the Belfrey Lot.
Mrs. Battin - Is the Belfrey Lot considered part of the Center?
Norma Bogen - The Lot is not officially part of the Center but the peripheral
area. She asked if this expansion of Grace Chapel in this Lot is considered the
best use of the space from a planner's point of view. This question was referred
to Mr. Eddison and Martha Wood.
Martha Wood - A written memo from the neighbors of this area has been received
by the Planning Board as to the possibility of this space being used for affordable
housing. This idea has not been officially discussed by the Planning Board as yet.
The Grace Chapel site plan for the construction of a Christian Education Building
on the Belfrey Lot hearing is scheduled by the Board of Appeals in October upon
receipt of the comment statements from the Building Commissioner, Planning Board,
Health Dept. , Engineering Dept. and Selectmen.
Marian Powell - Historical use of the site by the Old Belfrey Club was
community recreational in nature and residential in appearance.
Bill Bowen - Map of area shows large space available for building and parking.
Mrs. Battin - Negotiations will be needed to insure preservation of 32 parking
spaces.
Dave Wells - Community use of space is historically significant. Both Dave and
Carla Fortman referred to the need to request that at least as many spaces as are
available now be preserved for Town use.
Norma Bogen - Hoped that the possible use of the area for housing was not
eliminated.
Jere Frick - The L.C.C. could make the Grace Chapel Committee aware of its
concerns and future meetings should include input from Grace Chapel member (s)
for give and take purposes.
Grace. Chapel Bldg. Plans were reviewed by all L.C.C. members present, at this
time.
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Mrs. Battin - The D.A.C. should also be involved in the recommendations to
the Board of Appeals.
Bob Ossman- Questioned the elevation and scale of the proposed building in
relation to adjoining parcels and recommended that the site plan be supplemented to
include this data.
Mrs. Battin - reminded the group that necessary recommendations to the Selectmen
are needed by the October 3 Selectmen's Meeting.
It was decided to hold a joint meeting of the L.C.C. and D.A.C. with representation
from Grace Chapel to discuss the building plan on September 22. The Planning Board
will be notified of this mccting.
Center Base Map
Bob Ossman - Data is assembled and will be evaluated for improvements to the
Map which will also include the Bikeway plans.
Mrs. Battin - Suggested that help frau the Engineering Dept. to assist in the
transfer of technicalities to the Map could be requested through the Manager's
Office.
Bill Bowen - Asked that each team for map assignments please detail recommenda-
tions for each section before returning the information to the sub-committee.
Mrs. Battin - Asked that each member please come to the next LCC meeting with
parking trouble spots listed as to time and place.
DAC - RFP Process
Norma Bogen - The DAC is working to obtain a consultant for completion of study.
RFQ has been prepared. There were 19 responses received by the committee and
reviewed. The DAC selected 4 firms to summit proposals to a joint meeting of the
LCC and the DAC on September 27, 1988 - one firm per hour beginning at 6:00 p.m.
A final selection will be made on Sept. 28th by the two committees and then
recommended to the Board of Selectmen.
Enforcement of Spccd Limits & Crosswalk Observance
Mrs. Battin will talk with Rick White and Chief Furdon to discuss the committee 's
concern with better Police enforcement of spccd limits and crosswalk observance now
that the education of the citizenry and poster contest on crosswalk observance has
been completed by the LCC and Chamber. It was suggested that the Chamber help with
further education through contacting the firms in the outlying office parks and
providing decals urging "Use the Crosswalks" to be posted on building exit doors.
Concern for safety at the Bedford St. , Harrington Road intersection was again
expressed and will be conveyed to the Manager.
Review of Charge to LCC and Appointments to Committee
It was agreed that the LCC suggest to the Selectmen the possibility of expanding
the number of members from 9 to 11 to include 2 members of neighborhood associations
who have no business affiliation in the Center and who are not professionals but
would represent their neighborhoods viewpoints.
Jere Frick - Questioned whether the wording in the Charge "in the Center" should
be changed to include the areas in the Center Design Plan. The committee agreed to
request this.
Joint Meeting of ICC, DAC, & Planning Board
Selection of Consultant
Jack Eddison - To take this opportunity to have input from Town Meeting
Members and the community at large regarding the selection of the consultant. Joint
meeting will be changed to Estabrook Hall to accommodate number of attendees. Press
will be notified of change and inclusion of interested parties.
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A11 members were strongly encouraged to attend the selection meeting
scheduled for Sept. 22, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, 1988 in Estabrook Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully sd witted
Audrey E. Deshler