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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-15-EDAC-min MEETING MINUTES December 15, 2022 The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, December 15, at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom and in-person at the Cary Hall, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420. The Following are the meeting minutes from December 15, 2022 1. Opening of the Meeting and Introductions - Chair Attendance: Ric DeAngelis, Bridger McGaw, Dave Pronchick, Lisa Murray, Adriene Ortyl; Joe Pato, Doug Lucente, Charles Hornig, Sandhya Iyer, Casey Hagerty 2. Approval of September Meeting Minutes – EDAC a. Move by Ms. Murray, seconded by Ms. Ortyl b. The Meeting minutes were unanimously Approved. 5-0 (Ric DeAngelis, Bridger McGaw, Dave Pronchick, Lisa Murray, Adriene Ortyl voting in the affirmative; none in the negative) 3. Select Board Liaison Requests for EDAC input – Select Board Liaison a. Updates on Appointments/Resignations of EDAC members Two new members, Samuel Ang, Jonathan Wakelin, were appointed by the Select Board and their formal appointments shared with EDAC at the meeting. Contact information will be secured from staff for their attendance at subsequent meetings. b. Doug shared that Mr. Malloy and Doug shared idea of a charette with two potential economic vibrancy facilitation experts. Doug was impressed by the discussion and the two experts will be putting together a proposal for this. Before any proposal is accepted, the proposal will be shared with the relevant committees and town staff. (EDAC, Arts Council, Tourism, Center Committee, Historic District Commission). The SB did support that ARPA funds could be used and would be supported, but no formal vote was taken. 4. Update on new Commercial Development in Lexington – EDAC Members and Town Staff a. 12-18 Hartwell Ave. (Greatland) Project approved by the Planning Board b. 99 Hayden project is with MEPA. c. 186 Bedford Street is moving along d. 420-430 Bedford Street is currently in front of MEPA and begun data gathering from various commissions and consultants as part of design planning. e. 440 Bedford Street: Building Permit was approved. This project is moving along with demolition underway and foundational work starting. This will be Office/Commercial with associated parking garage. f. 1050 Waltham Street (Greatland) applied for Certificate of Occupancy as they are completing the base building. g. Soft opening on 12/27 for Fiorella’s 5. EDAC Committee Discussion a. Review Select Board Goals i. Members were advised to review the goals for potential opportunities they may want to engage on specifically related to these goals. https://www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4497/Select-Board- Goals-FY2022---FY2023 ii. Doug shared that these goal statements are important to helping us track on what we need to do and how we are doing against the goals. b. Comprehensive Plan Action Planning Prioritization Update i. Goal is that the EDAC wants to take a structured approach to supporting the Action Planning within whatever Action Planning is actually taking place. ii. There is no implementation body for the Comprehensive Plan. But it was recommended that the EDAC review the public action plan. iii. Sandhya noted that she will schedule a formal briefing before the next EDAC meeting on the items and actions underway on the Comprehensive plan. iv. Sandhya did provide a brief overview for the first time to the Committee of actions that are underway. The Chair noted that these are vital topics and that hearing more about what work is occurring from the EDO is helpful so that the EDAC can ensure our impact in tackling these topics is timely. The Chair offered idea to align EDAC members to each of the critical elements of the LexingtonNext plan. v. Joe notes the EDO is focused on tactical tasks in the Action Plan. The EDAC value is really in looking at the Strategic items on the list and where the EDAC can weigh in with our expertise and advise the Select Board. Joe, with Doug agreeing, would like the EDAC to provide our ideas on what the committee or SB should tackle. Joe and Doug recommended assigning one ‘champion’ to collaborate with other town entities that may be tackling items on the Action Plans. vi. Sandhya discussed her concerns around what is the next step for tenants on Hartwell that move from startup to scale over the longer term. vii. Ric mentioned that there are numerous conferences and working groups that focus long term ideas in the life sciences. viii. Sandhya shared that she talks to other communities, most recently on ‘outdoor dining’ and could share that with the EDAC. ix. The Chair recognizes that members should review the Action Plan for items of personal interest in championing. The Vice Chair noted more information sharing needed to be done by town staff to share insights and information with the committee between meetings. c. Update on Planning Board Hearings on MBTA Multifamily housing (Dec 7 / 14) i. Charles presented on the MBTA maps as shared and discussed on at public planning board hearings. He emphasized this topic is going to take the vast majority of Planning Board time from now through Town Meeting. 1. There is an active debate at Planning Board about whether housing overlay should extend further down Hartwell from Bedford Street. There are 10 scenarios but not yet sure if all 10 will come to town meeting. This is still a lot of analysis to work through. The outreach plan and further refinement of options for consideration will consider through the Warrant finalization and before Town Meeting. 2. Next hearing January 12th for public presentation. 3. Charles welcomes the EDAC taking a formal position on this for the Select Board. d. Discussion around changes/investments needed in town to improve likelihood of success in future Economic Development efforts 6. Items that may come before March Town Meeting a. The Future of LexPress. This is planning to be discussed at December 18th Select Board meeting. The question is $30K in revenue with $800K cost. Ridership revenue hasn’t ever paid for this service in total, but the subsidy is only going up. b. The Chair shared that these shuttle buses systems are running empty services for many properties and more business insight into services and more effective The meeting was adjorned at 9:30am. The Motion was moved by Mr. McGaw; Seconded by Ms. Murray. Approved. 5-0 (Ric DeAngelis, Bridger McGaw, Dave Pronchick, Lisa Murray, Adriene Ortyl voting in the affirmative; none in the negative)