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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-08-LCC-minTown of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of December 8, 2022 held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall Building, Lexington Massachusetts. Members present: Eric Ballard, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Jeffery Lyon, Pamela Lyons, Jerold Michelson Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Charles Hornig, Planning Board, Capt. Chris Barry, Lexington Police Department, Jim Malloy, Town Manager, Maggie Peard, Sustainability Director, Chamber of Commerce person (name?), Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director Jerry gave us the DPW update: all Center sidewalk equipment has been retrofitted with rubber bumpers to preserve the newly laid brick, all of the holiday lighting is complete. Jeff Lyon inquired as to what will be required of private contractors in the Center. The Center Committee voted seven to zero to approve the minutes for the September, October and November, 2022 meetings. Charles Horning outlined the progress of the MBTA Communities Act at the Planning Board. PB is looking at overlay district applied to various locations around Town. The Committee discussed expanding the CB district to anything adjacent that is not used for residential, having this be consistent with the MBTA overlay district. The consensus was that Wallis Court, Lexington Place (now spot zoned) and parcels on Clarke and Raymond Streets should be included. Jerry noted that retaining retail on the first floor is very important. The Center Committee voted seven to zero to support the Planning Board's initiative to rationalize the Center Business District by adjusting the boundaries to include the Depot Parking Lot (off Merriam Street) Wallis Court, 7 Raymond Street, 16 Clarke Street, and Lexington Place. Charles reminded us that mixed use can be encouraged but not required. A number of committee members are uneasy with this and urged the Planning Board to include incentives to retain and encourage retail. Jim Malloy discussed fees for outdoor dining in the Center. Our current fees (which were waived during the pandemic) are way more expensive than comparable towns. Jim suggested that we go to a simplified two tier structure with modest fees that would work out to $100/yr for Peet’s and $250/year for Bertucci’s (by way of example.) Tiers are up to 10 seats and over 10 seats. He also discussed renting the parklet to businesses. The Center Committee voted seven to zero to support the Town Manager’s proposal for a new two-tier fee structure for outdoor dining in the Center. Capt. Barry discussed parking (our favorite topic) in the Center. Not all new meters are in, but we hope to be fully operational by spring. Permits are $250 per year – Jerry asked “once meters are fully functional, what do we want for enforcement in the Center?” Jim Malloy noted that the parking fund is used to upgrade and repave the lots. Fred reminded us of the institutional history and beneficial results of the Parking Management Plan. We discussed the use of electric signage and Sean Dugan for getting information out to the public. Doug and Jim Malloy are meeting with a consultant to discuss revitalizing the Center. Maggie Peard let us know there are now 21 public EV stations in Lexington. We have a grant for a high capacity charger in the NSTAR lot. Maggie gave a presentation on EV chargers in Lexington. Jeff inquired what to do about dumpsters in the Muzzey Street lot? The situation with waste and recycling is challenging and becoming costlier. Sandyha Iyer noted that Taste of Lexington was a success. Three vacancies are being filled. Dabin has a new tenant, Karma is coming to Lexington, Starbucks is becoming a ramen place and When Pigs Fly is open. We returned to an intense discussion of the MBTA Communities Act. Because residential use is allowed by right, he urged the Planning Board to include incentives to support mixed use. Jeff noted that, because of zoning regulations, mixed use construction is more expensive that straight residential construction. E.g. different tier of fire safety, dumpsters, etc. Demand is high for residential, commercial rental is much slower – so the base incentives trend residential. And the ribbon cutting for the Center Streetscape Project is scheduled for 12 noon. Today.