HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-09-LCC-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting of March 9, 2023, held at 8:30 am in the basement of the Cary
Hall Building, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, 02420.
Committee members present: Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine
Huang, Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (chair),
Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin
Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Charles Hornig, Planning Board, Sandra Shaw,
Council on Aging, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Dave Pinsonneault,
Department of Public Works
Doug Lucente informed us that the State has given us an “extra” $2.3 million - so the SB
added back in funds for repairs and maintenance for the Center Streetscape Project
(among other things.)
There was some discussion of snow clearing in the Center – especially on the challenges
for the dark side of the street during the winter months.
Dave Pinsonneault gave us the DPW update: center lights are down; DPW is working
on timers for next year; the big star was well-received;; banner arms are coming soon –
from the same manufacturer as the poles to which they will be attached. New poles for
the VOTE TODAY banner will run $60 to $70K. The Conte Bike bus stop situation is
under review by the Engineering Department. A big belly trash receptacle was crushed
by a car – a temporary trash can is in place; and Patriot’s Day clean-up will begin on
March 15th and of course there might be snow next week. The Battle Green Streetscape
includes a roundabout (not a rotary) – this will function as a “test case” for the Flectcher
St/Woburn St/Mass Ave intersection. Sidewalk extensions are going in this spring. The
parking lot around Town Hall will be redone at the end of the Police Station build for a
uniform look. Restoration of Fletcher Park is part of the Police Station Project.
Sandhya Iyer gave the Economic Development update: a bakery is coming to the
LaDolda space – Sandhya is working with the Celebrations Committee to plan a variety
of events for 2023. Working on Chronicle coverage for 2024 – and advertising now on
WCB and WBUR.
Susan Moran, Regional Director of Sales and Catering for Bertucci’s, joined us. The 28
remaining Bertucci’s are staying. There is new management in Lexington. Patio is
opening next week – looking to have advertising on the bike path – offering catering for
offsite events.
Charles Hornig answered many, many questions regarding Article 34 (the MBTA
Communities Act.) The Center is not included as part of the acreage designated for the
Act. Art. 34 will allow 4 stories (52’) of height. The underlying required commercial
zoning on the first floor will stay in place. Three stories on top of the commercial floor is
needed to incentivize construction. The Center is still subject to HDC review. There was
a lively discussion of Center construction design issues including the new energy code
and its effects on setbacks (which seem to be discouraged by one or more members of
the Planning Board.)
The Center Committee voted unanimously (ten to zero) to support Article 34 as
written. The Center Committee also opposes efforts at Town Meeting to pull the Center
Business District our of Article 34. (This was a consensus view, no vote taken.)
The Center Committee voted unanimously (nine to zero) to support Article 36.
It was unclear to the author as to who will be representing the Center Committee at the
EDAC summit on Lexington Center.
Due to time constraints we were unable to reach Charlie Wyman’s presentation of
Lexington’s “Tree Statement” which is rescheduled for April 13th. Nor could we reach
voting on the minutes for the December, January and February meetings.