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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-13-LCC-min Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of June 13th, 2024 held in the Parker Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, Massachusetts beginning about 8:35 am. Members present: Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Jeffery Lyon, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair) and Pamela Shadley Liaisons: Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Ross Morrow, DPW Engineering, Guests: Mike Harris, Denit Netzer, Huma Wasim, Ying Fang We began with the DPW update via an email from Dave Pinsonneault: the parklet will be installed on Mass Ave near the intersection of Muzzey Street next week. The drainage issue in Depot Square is getting fixed literally right now. DPW is engaging in ongoing cleaning of the Center Streetscape. There will be cleaning under the grates, the benches will be washed after the summer, tree trimming has been completed, additional parking space lines will be added in the Depot lot shortly, the ticket booth will be going over to Merriam Street but no one is sure as to why this location was chosen (committee members urged that sightlines and not taking up parking space be considered) the planters and a walk your bike sign have been installed in Grain Mill Alley. Jeff Lyon asked if we could get a Center police officer back— helpful for sidewalk and traffic issues. Innessa Manning gave an update on the recommendations for enhancing the Center. The EDAC wants penalties for dilapidated buildings. There was some discussion as to what form this would take, difficulty of creating standards, and enforcement. Jerry Michelson noted that the MBTA Act housing might affect this. There was a loose recommendation that the Select Board send a "friendly" letter to the property owner. Denit Netzer suggested that the Design Advisory Committee (of which she is a member) might be the appropriate entity to do this. Jeff Lyon noted that he paints his buildings about every five years. Jeff suggested letting landlords know about the help Sandhya is able to provide. Ross Morrow took us through some alternate designs for the Muzzey Street parking lot. Likely a 2026 build. There was an extensive discussion about the layout. Center Committee members urged that the consultants pay attention to trash storage and pickup, not placing dumpsters in public space. Pam Shadley urged attention to pedestrian spaces and trees! This would provide some balance and shade people and parking. Richard Brown suggested that trees be shown on the plans. On June 13th, 2024 the Center Committee voted NINE to ZERO to recommend to the Select Board that no meters be used in the Waltham/Muzzey Street Parking Lot. Kiosks and pay-by-phone should be utilized instead. By consensus the Center Committee chose not to make a recommendation to the Select Board regarding appointment of new members. We have a single vacancy at the moment. Sandhya gave the economic development update: Beauty and Main is open (makeup and skin products in old Craft Cleaners space) is open. Hipstitch (in the old Signature Stationers space) is opening within a week. The Select Board is moving forward with a new liquor policy. The Center Committee did not support the EDAC's suggestion that the Town compile a stacking report (data base) of when commercial leases expire. The Center Committee voted Nine to Zero to approve the minutes of the May 9',2024 meeting. Fred urged that the Center keep the street parking meters and retain the incentives for street parking turnover.