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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-14-DAC-min.pdf MINUTES OF LEXINGTON DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 14 1989 - — PRESENT J Frey (Chair)' E. Adler, N Bogen, R Bradley, T Coffman, J Eddison (Selectman), A. Huang, E. Whitman MINUTES The minutes of the joint meeting of the DAC and LCC of February 14, at which David Dixon and Associates reported on project progress, were reviewed and approved with ertremely minor corrections. NEXT MEETING OF DAC and LCC John Frey reported that at the next joint meeting of the LCC and DAC on March 16, at which David Dixon will present an update of work accomplished to date, the focus will be on public improvements -- street furniture, lighting, paving, parking lots, landscaping, etc Since the February 14 meeting, Dixon has asked Frey a number of questions - including information on funding for Emery Park and information regarding the land owned by Boston Edison Representatives of Craft Cleaners will attend the March 16 meeting This is an opportunity for an exchange of ideas and will hopefully result in a more attractive building, appropriate for the Center There was some discussion as to whether all the members of the Dixon team are actively involved in the project at this time. PHOTOS DAC members commented that it would be useful to have the photos of the commercial areas taken by Dixon for future display or use Eddison indicated that if it can be worked out, it would be a good idea to make a presentation at Town Meeting, and in this case, a display of the photos would be vital ANDERSON'S SIGN Dave Williams of the Planning Board Lalled John Frey fnr his view concerning a hanging sign attached to the Giroux building by Anderson Jewelers without a permit from the Board of Appeals. John called several members of the DAC to tell them about it and obtain comments. DAC members felt that the sign is bland and poorly located and not of a caliber we would like to advocate. There was discussion of whether Anderson needs a sign at this Lorner location. Since the sign is currently illegal, Anderson's will have to go tc the 8vard of Appeals and the Historic Districts Commission; presumably the DAC will then have an opportunity to comment and will have written and graphic information as to size, lettering, means of attachment, etc NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the DAC will be on April 11 at 8 p m. David Dixon will make a presentation at that time Respectfully submitted' Norma Bogen Minutes of Lexington Design Advisory Committee Meeting with Members of David Dixon and Associates Regarding Project Progress February 14, 1989 Members present. J Frey (chair), N. Bogen,J, Eddison (Selectman) E.Whitman, E.Adler,W Pierce,A. Huang. Also present were J.Vinton associate member of the DAC,and M. Battin (ICC), Ed Barsamian (LCC), Bill Bower (ICC), Morton Kahan (LCC), Dale Gaasland (Sup't Park and Trees),Joe Medlin (Mgr , DPW Operations), David Williams and Martha Wood (Planning Board), Barbara Hulsizer and_Loring (LF.&G), Myth Kabat-Zinn (E. Lex. Comm.Assoc.and MAPC Rep ), Bob Cunningham (Owner, Lexington Hardware), Betty Flynn (So. Lex Civic Assoc ), Liz Banks (Lexington Minute-Man) Introduction John Frey began the meeting by introducing our new Superintendent of Parks and Trees, Dale Gaasiand,and then turned the meeting over to David Dixon and his associates David Spillane and Peter Johnson. Craig Halverston was not able to be present at this meeting but will be at the March 16th meeting with the LCC David Dixon: Rough skeleton to be presented tonight. After series of specific work-sessions with groups such as the ! DAC, LCC more specific guidelines will be presented at a meeting on March 16th. Observations Lexington is a wonderfully diverse place. It is not a historic village and it wouldn't be appropriate to attempt to recreate one Town center is to be used and enjoyed, richness of diversity should be enhanced. Russell Square and the Green are bookends to the Center Mass.Avenue is an attractive tree-lined street,the parks are reasonably located, the basic framework with strong resources is already present. Enhancement would involve peeling away some of the problems Needs Parking lots are okay, but not attractive as they could be. Mass Ave.is the front door to the Center, but the parking lots could be extended to be made part of the system. Emory Park,although a public space,doesn't have the same aura as the Green. It's a place to hang out, but doesn't fulfill its potential There is no coherent approach to the Center in terms of sidewalks,trees,etc 1 To create a public environment that is strong and can provide character and Challenge identity. This involves reinforcing special qualities for the public sector while allowing private sectors freedom to provide some diversity through richness and variety. 2. Define consistent character between Russell Square and the Green. The Green = historic area. Shopping =commercial area. Town buiildings =civic area. Currently,there is no real front door -- Mass Ave is the key to the area. Character can be brought about through sidewalks signage lighting, furniture,etc { DAC Minutes,February 14 1989 1 { 3. Create 3 levels of public space: 1) Mass Ave 2) Alleyways that connect parking to side streets These shouldn't be forgotten spaces For example,alleyway next to Michelson's could have improved pavement material,lighting,other features. 3) Parking lots,which shouldn't be seen as just paved areas, but as streets unto themselves. They should have their own vocabulary of paving lights,etc David Sniilane: Showed panoramic photos of Lexington: each side of Mass Ave,Waltham Street,Countryside and other outlying areas. Observations Buildings: There is a wonderful diversity. Parking lots are well located and not intrusive to the view from Mass Ave But - how do cars get there What do they look like? The landscaping isn't up to current standards Connectors to parking lots from main streets should be seen as a series of lingers, breaking areas up into sectors,whether pedestrian or vehicular Ways to help these connectors• Continue paving material into those spaces Put in lighting. Assign names. Provide signage to help pedestrians find their way. Lighting types- there are 7 different types in use These should all be the same to present cohesiveness. The lamp standards should at least all be painted the same color Emory Park: The only entrance is from the front center There is no sidewalk around the perimeter Trees block view of building in back (old photos show that the park was a forecourt to the depot building -- it no longer creates that effect) In short,the park isn't inviting. Suggestions: Open up edges so you can get in from all sides and corners. You should be able to walk through from the parking lot to Mass Ave and be able to walk across from side to side Peter Johnson: Met with executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce a couple of weeks prior to this meeting. Observations Should foster richness and diversity. A successful center integrates all aspects of trade and has 'home-grown (local) merchants. Lexington should seek merchants that will enliven center Lexington is ready for this! Guidelines should foster a richness and enhance the existing framework, not seek to establish uniformity. DAC Minutes February 14, 1989 a Some buildings draw people in on impulse more than others The whole building is a sign and should tell people what you want them to know Facades should tell people what goes on in the buildings. The sign is the most important message Different messages are created from different distances You need to use all levels. Signage and decorations should be scaled and proportioned to take advantage of all levels: Driving by, you see the sign and general feel of storefront. Walking past, you see the sign and feel of window decorations. From close up, you see the actual itei,EM on display. Gireaux Building gives no messages from distance - or close up for that matter It could be a library. Suggestions- Don't make all signs the same -- work to individualize each store Extend piers to roof' Put display cases in some recessed spaces? Awnings may be a good way to add diversity and tell people what s inside Make bay windows or bring windows out to piers in some stores. Its okay to have different fronts on these stores May only want to work on some of them. Add projecting signs that are interesting and tell something about the store- For example use objects,such as a clock This adds another layer of richness and quality of design. Consider changing zoning by-laws to accommodate a variety of signs. Encourage good taste while establishing some guidelines: Certain height off ground. Not all the same Careful attention to projecting brackets. East Lexington: The edges are blurry. Have to work with what we have since the buildings and parking lots already exist,and we re probably not ready to tear them down and start over Some possibilities for starters. Do as much landscaping as possible to create buffer zone and definition. Redo signage. Put it back to the way it was in the 50's,with signs on top of the buildings (see the pharmacy) They knew what they were doing in the 50's. Questions: The following questions were asked by people attending the meeting and were answered by appropriate members of the design team. Q.Outlying areas deal more directly with driving customers,so don't they have unique problems? A.There should be a relationship between the Center guidelines and what happens in the outlying areas. Q Do we have control over curb edges of parking lots in outlying areas? A. 5 feet is Town-owned, but there may be electrical wires under paving,so can't just dig up all over for plantings DAC Minutes February 14, 1 989 3 Q Are there places where there should be changes to buildings for example,creating a second story? A.There should be 2 stories all along the Center -- not for aesthetics, but for practicality. Q What about the bus stop behind Emory Park? A.This is a positive force,as it pumps life and activity into the area. The park is the public space in Lexington Center that doesn't have prior historic activity assigned to it And the store owners wouldn't want the buses to be in front of their stores. Q. If Lexington should decide to have a parking structure, how would it fit in? A. It would fit in as part of the lot behind the Center Q.What about the tour buses that park along the Green and in front of Emory Park? A. They are certainly an obstruction to the historic area -- they break up the view,affect the ambiance, and their exhaust smells. Inquiries into using church parking lots Worthen Road,etc. have been suggested, but not sure where that would lead. Q.What about varied roof lines on Center buildings? A.Variety is fine In fact,some of the fake facades add interest. Q What about back entrances to buildings? A. Merchants don't always like the idea of double entrances because of security. Those who have rear entrances should be encouraged to put in display windows (such as Michelson's) or trellises with plants to soften the view and enhance the rear entrance (Decelles?) Q. How can CVS improve their store front? A. If they broke up the long line to reflect the 20' bays of other stores,it would greatly improve the look Stores like CVS don't want to look fancy because that s not their image The greatest leverage one has to seek improvements is just before lease renewal time Q.Can the guidelines provide examples for merchants? A.Yes For example,Coffee Connection respects the scale both horizontally and vertically. They have created a facade that is interesting. Lexington is ready for a level of sophistication that isn't present now For example,guidelines could give cues for existing buildings regarding interesting door pulls, muttons, etc Q.Can the guideli nes show actual case studies? A. Instead of just providing hypothetical suggestions,it might be helpful to select an ownder willing to actually promote change and work with him on feasible suggestions That could act as a model for other building owners Q Will the guidelines address trees? A.Yes. Q.What about benches and the fountain in Emory Park? A. Some structur o ;ur band concert would be nice In addition to being nice for the concerts it would remind people that things take place there Some limited seating around the park would also be nice Q.Will the guidelines be presented in a form that will provide specific suggestions,examples and illustrations that can be used by the Town and local merchants and building owners? A.That should be possible DAC Minutes,February i 4, i 989 4 The meeting ended with everyone looking forward to the more specific guidelines that will be forthcoming. Members of the design team will be present with more specific information at the LCC meeting scheduled for 12 noon on March 16th,to which all DAC members are invited. The next DAC meeting is scheduled for 8:00 PM on March 14, 1989 Respectfully submitted, `01 radi Elaine P Adler DAC member { DAC Minutes,February 14 1989 5 rag. — `anion of 3Ecxingtnn, c4Dlnssttchusetts MEMORANDUM TO: Bernice H Fallick, Town Clerk DATE: 1/20/89 PAGE: FROM: Marion H Snow, Ex tive Clerk SUBJECT' Board of Selec m n/�J{ Design Advisory Committee Miura 44-4)/(� Meeting The Design Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 14, 1989, in Estabrook Hall , Cary Memorial Building , at 8 00 p m (The Lexington Center Committee will attend that meeting ) cc Town Manager