HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-08-05-CRC-min t ,r ( rl
CENTER REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE MFETINC
August 5, 1983
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Marge Battin at approximately
12 00 Noon
Attending members of the C R.0 were Marge Battin, Karsten Sorensen, Laura
Nichols , Robert Sacco, David Wells , Jacquie Bateson, Joe Trani. and Jack Powell
Attending members of the Land Use Sub-committee were Norma Bogen and Judith
Newman
Attending in the audience were Robert Bowyer, Wally Tonaszuck, Angelo Frick,
Galo P Emerson, Jr (Putnam Pantry)
the agenda for the meeting consisted of the following items
1 Parking on Worthen Rd and Forest St
2 Traffic on Harrington Rd
3 Discuss MAPC Marketing Analysis
4 Progress report - Land Use Committee
Also, Mr Emerson of Putnam Pantry appeared before the Committee to present
his petition to the C R C for our review and recommendations
PARKING ON WORTHEN ROAD
Mr Tonaszuek stated the case for eliminating parking on the westerly side
of Worthen Rd from Mass Ave to Stratham Rd - basically traffic safety Parked
vehicles narrow down that portion of Worthen Rd , contributing to congestion and,
in some cases, traffic accidents The Committee agreedito the elimination of park-
ing in the above discussed area
TRAFFIC ON FOREST STREET
Mr Tonaszuck presented a large map of existing parking regulations applying
to the Center Business District Forest St (residential street) now has parking
on the south side Parked vehicles are primarily all day parkers He stated com-
plaints from residents have been registered in regard to 'street too narrow' for
passing with parked vehicles and difficulty getting into driveways and turning at
corners There are approximately 15 - 17 parking spaces in Forest St between
Clark and Waltham Streets Discussion followed, and these comments were brought
out
Mr Trani proposed as a possible solution - make Forest St one-way (east)
between Clark and Mass . Avenue The Planning Board will investigate that possibil-
ity Mrs Nichols and Mr Wells suggested restricting parking at the corners of
Forest and Clark/Forest and Waltham Streets to allow for more turning area Mr
Sacco asked about installing 10-hour parking meters on Forest St as a possibility
Mr Bowyer explained the fee rates as regard to use of residential streets (see
Summary of Parking Programs , Sept 15, 1981) Mrs Battin read a letter from Dun
Olson stating his thoughts on the Forest St parking situation Park Drive was
mentioned as a possible 'assist ' to alleviating congestion on Forest St
After further discussion, it was agreed that the C R.0 will defer to Mr Nor-
man Abend to study the parking situation on Forest Street
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TRAFFIC ON HARRINGTON ROAD
Chairperson Battin asked Mr Tonaszuck to present the case of traffic flow
in and around the Bedford Street/Harrington Road intersection He stated that
diverting traffic by re-opening Cammelia Place could create strong objections
from neighbors and that the project needs professional study and guidance to
determine the overall effect Mr Bowyer agreed that extensive study is needed
in that area Mr Sacco and Mr Wells stated the possibility of re-opening Han-
cock Ave . to Worthen Rd. and to set the 'wheels in motion' to inform Mr Gschwend-
tner of the C.R C 's efforts to alleviate the problems at Bedford St and Harring-
ton Rd
Chairperson Battin accepted Mr Tonaszuck's offer to do an in-house study for
a traffic plan
November, 1983, was decided upon as a target date for all. traffic input
Chairperson Battin discussed briefly the Baptist Chruch Parking Driveway plan
and stated it was not within the jurisdiction of the C R C She suggested that
Mr Tonaszuck talk with the concerned parties in the Church
Mr Sacco made a recommendation that a sub-committee, consisting of Mr Tonas-
zuck, Mr Bowyer, Mrs Bateson and himself be formed to discuss the parking survey
recently conducted by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Battin asked
that we interrupt our regular agenda to allow the Putnam Pantry representative to
present his peititon for our review She introduced Mr Cala P Emerson, Jr. ,
President of Putnam Pantry Candies
Mr Emerson proceeded to give us a brief history and background of his com-
pany and its.development to date He reviewed his progress in becoming a tenant of
the Lexington Square complex Of special interest to the C R C was the construc-
tion of a fence at the rear of the Lexington Square parking area, the proprosed
closing time of Putnam Pantry and the inclusion of take-out windows (2) at the rear
of his establishment. Mr. Emerson stated that based on their past experience re-
garding numbers of cars in their parking lots , he sees no parking problem develop-
ing There will be from 1 to 6 employees on duty at any time - workers usually do
not drive to their jobs - most traffic in shop during evening hours (7 to 9 P .M )
He wants the take-out windows as a convenience to customers
Questions were then asked by various board members Mr Sorensen expressed
concern about foot traffic and parking in the rear of the Square if the windows
are permitted. Mr Wells asked if the take-out windows would really make a dif-
ference in people congregatLng outside the premises
Chairperson Battin suggested the hours of the window he restricted Mr Sacco
requested information on the hours of the other similar establishments in Lexington
in order to offer Putnam Pantry the same opportunity for serving its customers
After all the information was available to the Committee, a vote was taken by
Chairperson Battin. Recommendations of the C R C are as follows
1 C .R.0 unanimously agreed to the inclusion of a fence at the rear of
Lexington Square
2 Voted 5 - 3 to eliminate take out windows
3 Voted - 6 in favor of allowing Putnam to remain open until 11 P.M
Voted - 2 in favor of allowing Putnam to remain open until 10 P M
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Mr Emerson thanked the Committee for their considerations and attention
and left the meeting
DISCUSS MAPC MARKETING ANALYSIS
Chairperson Battin, in general terms, stated how pleased show was with efforts
of MAPC to develop its preliminary draft of the Lexington Center Market Analysis
Taking into account the difficult times that MAPC has endured the past year the
report is a job well done, said Mr Bowyer He also agreed with Mrs Bogen's con-
cerns on the need to include in the MAPC report "trends that effect market - High
Tech - perhaps improve on its static appearance' - and better summary Mr Bowyer
called upon the participation of knowledgeable people to assist in finalizing the
report Mr Wells spoke for all when he noted the report stressed the parking
problem in Lexington
PROGRESS REPORT - LAND USE SUB COMMITTEE
Mrs Nichols presented the formats to be utilized by the Land Use Sub-commit-
tee They included the Lexington Center Parcel Data, listing all information per-
taining to each center business address
She also requested the Lexington Chamber of Commerce to provide her with a
copy of its recent Parking Survey Mr Bowyer provided sample table sheets of
parcels in the Center Business District He reviewed the technique that will be
used to obtain necessary data. Information available from the Town's records will be
utilized to show intensity of uses, economic factors, factors effecting re-use of
the Center Business District
The meeting was adjourned at 2 30 P.M
The next meeting is scheduled for
Respectfully submitted
Jack Powell