HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-08-LCC-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting of Thursday, September 8th beginning at 8:30 am both in
person at Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall Building, Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington,
Massachusetts and on Zoom.
Center Committee members present: Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Upasna
Chhabra, Fred Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Secretary, Innessa Manning, Jerold
Michelson, Chair, Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin (quorum of seven in person)
Liaisons present: Charles Horning, Planning Board, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging,
Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Casey Hagerty, ED Coordinator,
Chris Barry, Lexington Police Department, Dave Pinsonneault, DPW, John Livsey,
Town Engineer
We began with the DPW update from Dave Pinsonneault: Sunday trash pickup will
continue through Columbus Day weekend; winter sidewalk clearing machines will
be equipped with rubber bumpers so as not to damage the new bricks, the Bike
Node buildout is underway, DPW is waiting for parts which should arrive next
week, the BN is being built as part Streetscape Project with I.W. Harding, the
Battle Green accessibility modifications have been completed, the fountain is
running, new plantings are coming with the Lexington Field and Garden Club
involved, the Belfrey will be more visually accessible from Clarke Street, DPW is
working on a maintenance budget for the Streetscape.
Then on to the Streetscape update with John Livsey: milling likely to be completed
by end of the day, Friday DPW anticipates annual brick repair work so that
conditions never deteriorate necessitating all new brick for a really long time,
paving will take two to three days, some trees are coming in the Spring, some
types of trees were planted by mistake and they are coming out, large scale trees
are coming this Fall, Pam Shadley explained volcano mulch (bad), tree flares, and
tree health generally. Fred asked about extending the brick down the BOA alley,
suggesting that someone have a conversation with BOA and the condo owner on
the other side. Dave indicated that DPW is seeking funds to have the brickwork
extended down Edison Way and the Depot Area where the bricks are in bad
shape. Dave discussed having a proactive communication plan and I have no
recollection as to what the details were. Dave has ordered the banner arms for
the streetlight poles.
Casey and Sandhya gave the economic development update: a tea shop is coming
in at 21 Muzzey Street, there have been lots of inquiries regarding commercial
space except for the Bulpan and Sanyo spaces (which are the largest spaces.) A
ramp has been installed at the Depot and there are two popups going in there.
The entire exterior of the Santander building is being refreshed and the drive-up
extention is coming down. Some discussion of Fall programming for the Center.
Jerry volunteered everyone for assistance with this.
Abby McCabe, Lexington’s Planning Director gave a general description of the
MBTA Communities Act – background, purposes and what Lexington needs to do
to comply. Fred gave an elegant summary of the Center Committee’s thoughts
and initiatives on this over the years including zoning for larger buildings with
residential uses and detaching parking from uses and looking at all parking as
shared parking. Charles indicated that the Center would need to be zoned for a
minimum of three full stories to make development worth it for the property
owners. Mixed used can be permitted but not required.
The Center Committee voted seven to zero to approve the minutes for our May,
2022 meeting. The Center Committee voted nine to zero to approve the minutes
of our July, 2022 meeting.