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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-12-LCC-minTown of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of January 12th, 2023 in the basement of the Cary Hall Building, Lexington Massachusetts Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr., Richard Brown, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging, Captain Chris Barry, LPD, Sona Antoyan, Sandhya Iyer, EDD Capt. Barry began with a parking update: parking enforcement “begins” on February 1 with a hard start on March 1 (which is consistent with the turnover date of the parking passes.) Maps will be coordinated so all have current parking information. Jimmy Cataldo is using the Depot Lot kiosk for spare parts and maintenance. The Ghost Code will remain at the Depot Lot. On to the MBTA Communities Act: the Planning Board is leaning toward not including the Center in the MBTA acreage so as to retain mixed use in the Center. There are plenty of other locations that will more than fulfil Lexington’s acreage obligations under the Act. Other communities are considering the same strategy. MBTA Act will likely not be on the warrant for spring 2023. Final plans are not due until December 31, 2024. Sandhya alerted us to a variety of new businesses coming into the Center. A brewpub is looking at the Center. Jerry has invited new business owners to come to a Center Committee meeting. Jerry noted that the sign rules for the Center are outdated. Signs in “the back” can only be ½ the size of the sign in the front. EDD is seeking technical assistance for new regulations. Richard noted the dinky CVS signs and that we should have good signage by right rather than special permit. Michelson’s has good signage because their signs are grandfathered in. The Center Committee voted nine to zero to support EDD’s application for a grant to obtain technical assistance for new sign regulations. The Select Board approved the TM’s new sidewalk dining fees EXCEPT for the parklett – SB did not think businesses should have to pay for it. So parklett is in abeyance right now. Pamela Lyons continued on her quest to have a tree and bench removed from the bus stop relocated from 1666 Mass Ave to in front of Conte Bikes. MBTA Guidelines require an unobstructed 4 foot wide landing pad whenever there is a new or relocated bus stop. Pam has alerted DPW to this request and has gone to the Commission on Disability and Tree Committees. This issue is in process. The Center Committee voted nine to zero to support bringing the bus stop into compliance with the MBTA guidelines and suggests moving it to the left so as to be in front of the benches and Enterprise Bank. (Pam agreed to pursue this alternative.) Doug Lucente described meeting with a consultant and the Town Manager to consider a contract for $25K to look at the vitality of the Center. The consultants are two profs (UMass and Michigan) who have a lot of experience in this area. There would be two charrettes and other services. There was some back and forth as to what exactly is the purpose of this contract. “What are we getting for the $10M Streetscape Project?” Doug noted that they are trying to react to requests to do community engagement. Fred supported spending $25K to deal with the perception that the Center is not meeting the needs of some constituencies in Town. Fred noted that there are a lot of reasons to take a fresh look at the Center. E.G. there are larger issues impacting retail commerce. Notwithstanding many looks at the Center in the past, it would be good to pend $25k to take a look and perhaps alter public perception. Jerry noted that it would be helpful to get recommendations. Doug emphasized that the purpose is to get a fresh start. Pam Shadley spelled out the “RFP.” First task is for the consultant to read and summarize all prior reports in advance of the first public meeting. Is there agreement as to the prior recommendations and conclusions? The second public meeting is to create a roadmap with action items. Sandhya concluded “it’s all about the density.” We adjourned at 10:20. We did not take a vote on the December 2022 minutes.