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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-14-LCC-minLexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of September 14th, 2023, beginning at 8:30 am in Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall Building, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts Center Committee members present: Upasna Chhabra, Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair) Pamela Shadley, Jon Wakelin Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, John Livsey, Chief Engineer, DPW, Captain Chris Barry, Lexington Police Department, Abby McCabe, Planning Director Guests: Sharon Spaulding, 1666 Mass Ave, Steven Corliss, 1666 Mass Ave, Sorabh Kapoor, Clay Oven, Neil Hdusen, Enterprise Bank, Heather Hartshorn, Chamber of Commerce, Colin Smith, 1666 Mass Ave, Amy Gilbert We began with the DPW update: the “big belly” trash receptacles (ordered to replace the ones run over by an errant driver) are still on backorder; the Battle Green construction continues apace – almost done with underground work, conduit excavation begins next week, Belfrey stone wall is going along, and big pavers are being laid in front of the Minuteman statue. Work on the roundabout begins the week of the 26th! There are about 10 different traffic management plans in place. Final paving of Bedford Street and landscaping will occur in Spring 2024. Landing pad for Depot bus shelter goes in this Fall, shelter is on backorder. If the bus stop in front of Conte Bikes remains there, an additional two parking spaces will be removed. With the elimination of the two parking spaces no trees need be removed. Pamela Lyons indicated that she and the Commission on Disability would likely dispute this. There ensued a discussion of the merits of whether to move the bus stop now in front of Conte Bikes to 1666 Mass Ave. The landlord and some tenants of 1666 stated that parking in front of the building is helpful to their senior and disabled clients and people generally when it is raining. There are two designated HP spaces in the back of the building. A parking space will remain in front of the building even if the bus stop is moved. That space could be used as a drop-off zone. Jon Wakelin discussed the obstructions and sightline issues in front of Conte Bikes and public policy considerations supporting moving the stop to 1666. There was also lengthy consideration of just how many parking spaces are affected. If the bus stop remains in front of Conte Bikes a total of four parking spaces will be used. If the stop is moved to 1666 then a total of three parking spaces will be used, leaving one parking space in front of 1666. OR looking at the parking spaces as they exist today – two additional parking spaces will be removed if the bus stop remains in front of Conte Bikes. The Center Committee voted seven to zero to recommend to the Select Board moving the bus stop to 1666 Mass Ave with the goal to place the stop as far west on Mass Ave as possible (still in front of 1666) under MBTA guidelines. Abby McCabe gave a brief update on Center zoning issues. It might be time for the signage by-laws to be reviewed as the current by-laws are very constraining. Sandwich board signs are not ok (there was an exemption during Covid) except for events – these requests go through the Town Manager. The Center usage table also needs updating. Jerry asked that anyone interested in participating in a signage or usage subcommittee please let him know. Sandhya gave us the economic development update: Galary House is coming in with an opening ceremony at 5:30 on the 27th. A bakery is coming into the LaDolda space. Karma has changed architects but is moving forward. Jerry noted there is a monument or memorial near Belfrey Park in the discussion phase for the 250th. And the LexSeeHer monument will begin construction soon. Upasna updated us on ArtWalk – art will be coming into the Center business windows (including 1666) in the first week of October. This will also be the first year for ArtWalk in the CVS windows. The annual celebration will take place on October 13th. Jerry called our attention to the current display in the CVS windows illustrating Lexington Center history. The Center Committee voted six to zero to approve the minutes of the August, 2023 meeting. The Lexington Retailers Association will have their annual Halloween event on Tuesday, October 31st . And we have a vacancy commencing October 1st. Shortly after Thanksgiving there will be a charette for Lexington Center, probably on a Friday evening and Saturday morning and a walking tour on Saturday. There will be a planning event on Sept. 27th to get this started.