HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-11-LCC-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Estabrook Hall,
basement of the Cary Hall Building, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington,
Massachusetts beginning 8:30 am.
Committee members present: Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine Huang,
Frederic Johnson, Jeffery Lyon, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson
(Chair), Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin
Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Dave Pinsonneault, DPW, John Livsey,
Engineering, Captain Chris Barry, LPD, Carol Kowalski, Assistant TM for
Development, Charles Hornig, Planning Board, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging
John Livesey and Fred Johnson began with a description of how tourist buses will
traverse the Depot Lot to get to Merriam Street. Sooner or later the Town is likely
to develop this lot.
Dave Pinsonneault explained that weekend trash pickup at the Center generally
begins on Memorial Day weekend. Basically the amount of funding available at
the end of the fiscal yar drives the start date. DPW staff will do a pickup at the end
of the day on Friday until then – we are having a bit of a trash issue on weekends.
We are still waiting for the replacement of the big belly trash container that was
taken out by a car earlier this year. There are barrels that are especially designed
for pizza boxes and we might buy one or two of these.
There was some discussion as to how to get businesses to police their own trash.
We identified four touch points for businesses (ZBA, SB, TM and BOH) that might
regulate this issue.
Japanese Knotweed is back in Edison Way! Weeding and mowing has begun in the
Center green spaces.
DPW and the contractor is working on the Streetscape punch list: some bad
asphalt will be repaved, some grates will be adjusted, a landscape architect is
coming in a few weeks to check on the trees, the new sidewalks will take about
two weeks to brick. About an acre of brick was put down in connection with the
Streetscape Project. The banner holders are coming. Someday soon.
The Battle Green Project is moving right along. There a long delay in obtaining
light posts. N.B. A twelve inch diameter tree has a 50% chance of survival if
moved. The work is beginning at the intersection of Mass Ave and Harrington and
is moving in a counter-clockwise direction.
We congratulated John Livsey on receiving the Engineering Award from the
American Public Works Association.
It looks like “Revival” a breakfast through lunch restaurant, will have a fall opening
in the old Starbucks space. The Venue is going out when its lease runs in July. The
Venue is credited with providing a bump to other businesses.
Jerry noted that larger footprints in the Center are empty – Sanyo, Bulpan,
Anisoptera, Signature Stationers (retiring soon.) A business model analysis would
be helpful. What could go into the Venue’s unique space?
Charles noted that the Planning Board’s work plan includes looking at the Center
usage takes and the sign by-law (which is tricky.) We must comply with the new
(or current?) Supreme Court decision – there can be no regulations as to content.
So current details and distinctions will have to be jettisoned. The HDC will have to
follow the same rules.
Staff is working on streamlining permitting – at a later date the Center Committee
should form a subcommittee on this to support staff’s work. Our uses are from the
1920’s and we need to simplify and modernize them.
We are not expecting applications for housing permits in the Center (pursuant to
Article 34) until the fall. The AG’s office must approve TM’s action and then
regulations must be written.
LDA Architects has been hired to do studies of housing over the Depot Lot and 173
Bedford Street. Study will be complete late next year. Parking does not have to be
on the same lot as the residence or business.
Sarah Walsh from Siren Swimwear discussed her business in the pop-up location
at 15 Depot Square. She has sustainable swimwear made from plastic waste
pulled from the ocean. She is the last pop-up in that space as the popup lease will
end. There is a ribbon cutting on June 1st at 3 pm.
A bakery is coming into LaDolda. Karma Restaurant is coming into the old Dabin
space.
Action items for future meeting: We need to develop a new workplan with goals
and, as always, there must be more discussion of parking lots.