HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-11-LCC-min (DUPLICATE)Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting of January 11th, 2024 held in the Parker Room, Town
Offices Building, Lexington Massachusetts
Members present: Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Frederic Johnson,
Jeffery Lyon, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela
Shadley
Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Charles Hornig, Planning Board, Sandra
Shaw, Council on Aging, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director
We began the meeting with the DPW update from Jerry Michelson: the Center
snowfall cleanup was pretty good; new lights are up on the Battle Green; there is a
plan in place for taking the old lights down.
Jillian Tung and Laurie Bogdan gave a presentation on Lex250 – Revolutionary
Riders program. This is a large scale art project using 4 life size fiberglass horses
and 8-10 desk size horses – painted on site by artists. There will be a scavenger
hunt for the small horses. Horses out there 2024-2026 then auctioned off with
proceeds going to fund other art projects. Cost is about $5k per (large) horse. Lots
of activities related to the horses. Plan is to have 4 large horses in the Center in
walking distance to each other. Unclear if there will be sponsorships -in a grey
area.
We then discussed alcoholic beverage regulations (which are under the purview of
the Select Board.) Right now alcohol is permitted only as an ancillary to kitchen
use. Basically, only restaurants can serve alcohol. This issue came up a lot at the
Center charette and the Select Board is considering lightening up on alcohol
regulations. We then had a discussion regarding the interaction between zoning
and liquor licensing. The Select Board is engaged in outreach to restaurants and
business owners to understand what their views are regarding alcohol regulations.
Motion: The Center Committee urges the Select Board to pursue changes related
to expanding and updating alcohol uses in Lexington." Approved Eight to Zero.
Charles Hornig then discussed an assortment of zoning changes the Planning
Board is proposing for Town Meeting. Overall the purpose is to remove
roadblocks to economic vitality in the usage table. Of particular interest to the
Center Committee is to allow bakeries in the Center (as a practical matter they
are already here) and remove fast food definitions. There was some interest in
having the Planning Board explore the possibility of private postal services and
wholesale bakeries in the Center. (Pamela Lyons recalled a “Pack and Post” that
existed in the Center in the late 80’s.)
There will be a meeting on Friday January 19th in the Parker Room regarding
signage in the Center. Remember: content cannot be regulated.