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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-10-LCC-minTown of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of November 10, 2022 in Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall Building, Lexington, Massachusetts. 8:35 am. Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr., Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson, Jon Wakelin Liaisons present: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Charles Hornig, Planning Board, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging, Sandhya Iyer and Casey Hagerty, Economic Development, John Livsey and Dave Pinsonneault, DPW, Bridger McGaw, Economic Development Committee John Livsey led off with the Streetscape Project: the project is substantially complete, DPW is doing training for lighting, water systems and drainage, and of course there’s a punch list. DPW intends to conduct twice a year inspections of the Center so that things are always fixed within one year. TM passed additional sidewalk bricking (as described in the October minutes.) Obtaining materials is the single biggest issue. Fred Johnson inquired as to the status of the Depot Square bus shelter. Pamela Lyons explained that “we seem to be stuck somewhere in the ARPA queue” for funding. The Center Committee voted 8 to 0 to support DPW’s request for funding for semi-annual (2xyear) engineering inspections of the Center and for repairs and maintenance. Fred remarked on the excellent result of the repaving at the intersection of Woburn Street and Mass Ave. The downside, of course, is that cars are approaching the Center at a higher rate of speed. There was some discussion of how to achieve traffic calming in the Center. John Livsey noted that road design and enforcement affect speed. Jerry Michelson said that Winchester has temporary speed bumps. Fred suggested more signs and taking photos of license plates of speeds, Charles noted that this is illegal in Massachusetts. Onto the parking lots: John said no parking lots will be updated until 2025 and Jerry noted that the CVS lot is shot. Dave noted that the bike node is operational and it’s getting a lot of use. Fred said that a kiosk could be had for less than $65k, and that an ekiosk, not a print one, is the right way to go. Bridger found one that is much cheaper than $65k. Sandhya is seeking a vendor for one to be located in East Lexington. Fred identified three “old school” information print signs in the Center. “Esigns are energizing/attractive/and content rich.” Jerry alerted us to holiday lighting and kickoff events. Casey noted that there will be a Winter Garden event on December 3. People want more food. Fred noted that the Center Committee will be asked to make a recommendation to the Select Board regarding additional uses in Zone B (Buckman Tavern, the Belfrey and the Bikeway.) How to balance additional uses with historical elements? Someone noted that after the Pumpkin Fest there were lines in front of Abbott’s, Rancs, and Bubble Tea. Clearly PF activated the Center. Doug said we should be thinking about what other uses should be permitted keeping in mind balancing historic elements with activation. Fred described retaining respect for historic elements and look to encourage preservation of sightlines. Also important to have a gathering area with outdoor furniture but not have a hodgepodge of random furniture. Fred will be working on this with the Tourism Committee. Tourism will come up with a proposal and we will review it. Casey noted that there seems to be some movement with the Starbucks space. Charles gave us the MBTA Communities Act update: the most “popular” prospective sites are the Center, East Lexington, Bedford/Worthen Street intersection, and Marrett Street at Waltham and Spring Streets. We cannot require mixed use. There are advantages to expanding the CD District. Bring in the Depot lot? Fred said that the Center Committee has long supported increasing building height and adding more housing to the Center. We could have different heights on either side of Mass Ave to take shadows into consideration. Suggested encouraging mixed use as best we can. Charles said that four stories would give us the retail we need on the first floor. Jerry preferred meeting the requirements elsewhere in Town so as to retain the mixed use requirement in the Center, bringing the Center in for more height. Charles noted that the Town can require up to 20% of the housing to be affordable. Sandra noted that seniors would like to move into smaller, affordable rentals. Doug suggested that we place the MBTA zoning behind and on top of the retail, thus retaining mixed use in the Center. And finally, someone said that we should no longer have parking requirements in the Center.