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Town of Lexington
Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC)
Minutes of Meeting September 14th, 2016
A meeting of the EDAC was held on Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 at 8:05 a.m. in the Parker Room
of the Town Office Building at 1625 Mass Ave.
Members Present:
John McWeeney, Kevin McGuire, Narain Bhatia, Sig Tullmann, Tom Dusel, and
George Burnell
Staff Present:
Melisa Tintocalis
Guests Present:
none
Members Absent:
Lelani Foster, Bob Richards, David Pronchick, Rick DeAngelis, and Larry Smith
Approval of Minutes:
The committee members agreed to review and vote to approve minutes from June 2016 meeting at the
October 2016 meeting.
PILOT:
(Payment In Lieu of Taxes)
Narain Bhatia reported that Youville and Brookhaven were determined eligible non-profit organizations
and received a tax exemption status from the Appellate Tax Board. Brookhaven is expected to continue
paying a voluntary contribution to the Town for approximately $440K annually. Tom Dusel commented
that the amount paid to the Town should be factor in the value of the associated real estate.
PILOP
(Payment In Lieu of Parking):
Melisa Tintocalis reported that the Board of Selectmen had reviewed the draft PILOP policy and there
was general agreement to remove “change of use” from the policy and that a mitigation payment of $8K
per parking space may an appropriate amount. Kevin Maguire reported that he attended the Town-
organized meeting with other Center property owners to discuss the PILOP and his sense was the most
property owners felt “neutral” to the policy. He reported that the generally the group of property owners
felt that the mitigation payments would not meaningfully improve parking conditions in the Center.
George Burnell stated that the Town had to work to solve parking by adding more parking spaces and
dedicating resources to enhance parking in areas such as the Clark/Muzzey lot; he commented that saving
mitigation payments in a fund would not lead to parking solutions.
Tom Dusel shared a practice used in Waltham whereby an effective rate of $6 per SF requested under a
special permit is levied as a traffic mitigation payment; however, the funds are used throughout the city
and not designated to the area where the project is being development. Tom stated this system lacked
parity for projects and funds were not invested in areas were the mitigation payment was collected.
Center Streetscape Project:
George Burnell reported that the Center Streetscape Ad Hoc Committee had presented their first tier
report to the Board of Selectmen earlier that month. The highlight from the presentation was the
Committee’s recommendation of a brick sidewalk surface over a concrete surface. George commented
that the Committee should continue to do research on concrete as a viable option. Tom Dusel shared his
experience as a property owner who has installed brick walkways in many New England sites and that
brick has required notable maintenance and that the brick his company has installed has lasted on average
3 to 4 years before becoming uneven.
The REV:
Melisa Tintocalis reported on the REV shuttle bus and that all but one property owner, Griffith Properties,
has committed to participate in year four of the shuttle’s operation. Melisa reported that the
Transportation Management Association, 128 Business Council, and her staff were working with the
properties owners to ensure the service will continue.
Opportunities:
John McWeeney proposed a question to the committee as to how the Town could create more
opportunities to increase the tax base. The committee generally discussed options such as capturing the
life sciences companies moving out from Cambridge. There was additional discussion on how Hobbs
Brook could advance the development of Ledgemont 3 which led to an idea of have the Town play a role
in developing a relationship with the property owners.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Approved on:
October 19, 2016