HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-13-DAC-min.pdf Meeting Notes
DATE. October 13, 1992
Lexington Design Advisory Committee
LOCATION: Town Office Building
SUBJECT Monthly Meeting
PRESENT Jack Eddison,John Frey, Steve Hurley, Betsy Whitman, Peg Read,
Barbara Hulsizer Tom Koffman, Rick Bechtel,John Vinton
NOTES BY John Vinton
I Minutes of 9/15 meeting were approved as submitted.
2. Notetakers for upcoming meetincs will be November(Betsy Whitman December Rick
,Ke
Bechtel Januaryrryry Brandin;iFebruary, Tom K tman,March, Barbara Hulsizer,April,
Steve Hurley; May:Pig Read.
3. Childrens Hospital/Beth Israel Outoatient Clinic: Johnson Gould, representing Childrens/Beth
Israel,and Mark Boyes-Watson, the hospitals' architect, presented the site plan for
conversion of the Techtronix Building on Bedford Street @ Hartwell Avenue. The clinic will be
requesting reduction of on site parking requirements at an upcoming hearing with the Board of
Appeals. Zoning requires 228 parking spaces. Children's/Beth Israel proposes to provide
18.6 spaces which is 19 more than the present 167 In addition, site area for 21 more
spaces has been allocated within the site plan, to be constructed if needed. This meets the
town's 50% rule for parking deficits. The clinic feels based upon experience at the existing
Waltham Street clinic operated by Childrens Hospital that the parking will be more than
sufficient. This is corroborated by a traffic and parking demand study submitted by the
clinic. Landscaping is significantly improved over existing. Also,American With
Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements have been incorporated. Lighting was discussed. The
clinic will follow the town's suggestion of using only a color corrected light source, i.e. not
high pressure sodium.
The Committee moved that the proposed landscaping and parking layout be accepted as proposed
with the provision that color corrected light sources be used.
3. Lowell Street Develooment. Peter Kelley and Gary Larsen attended to present early concepts of
the proposed 5.1 acres80 unit multifamily housing development on Lowell Street bordered by
the Caldor Mall. The concept is to meet the need for modestly sized condominium units for
empty nestors and starter homes among others. Ownership as opposed to rental is seen by the
developers as a key to fostering a sense of community This is a three building design, 2 1/2
stories each with basement level parking for residents and elevator access to apartments.
Landscape screening is provided as a buffer at the site perimeter in response to Lowell Street
traffic, and the abutting Caldor Mall and other commercial/industrial uses. Building design is
based upon the articulation by means of gables,dormers,and variety of materials of a simple
volume 185 feet long by 34 feet high housing residential units on either side of a central
corridor Buildings are oriented basically north-south in order to orient each of the units to
daily sunshine on either the east or west sides.
Committee comments: Per the persepctive shown at the meeting, the DAC feels that the
building design approach is effective and appropriate for the site. Many members
commmented that this is as good a site as is available in Lexington for housing of this density
a
and type. Perhaps even greater density would be feasible. The site plan was seen as needing
further development. The DAC asked the developer to consider aligning the Lowell Street
Building so that it is parallel with the street as opposed to at an angle as shown. Also, the
( buildings are not arranged so as to strongly create a sense of place on the site. The site
planner noted that design options are limited by site contraints of access drive turning radii,
and access to underground parking at building ends,and the desire to concentrate surface
parking so as to limit the extent of asphalt paving on site. This is a preliminary design he
noted and will be developed further Issue of trash pick up,and the location of compressors
for HVAC systems. will be addressed as the design is developed. Common spaces will be
provided within each of the buildings as opposed to a separate community building. First floor
units present an opportuinity for direct on grade access,enclosed gardens, and further
articulation of the buildings,creating a sense of human scale.
Overall, the committee felt that the design as presented is quite promising and looks forward to
meeting with the Mr Kelley in November as suggested by Mr Kelley to review developments
along the lines above.
4, Music Box Sim The committee reviewed design for proposed two foot by three foot projecting
sign for the Music Box on Miriam Street. Design as presented is acceptable with the
suggestion that the sign thickness be limited to one and one quarter inches and that it be hung
at the same height as other signs on the building.
5. Emory Park. committee will be co-chaired by Steve Hurley in the interest of assisting Don
Olson on the logistics of meeting and making progress with the process. Next Meeting to be
P. Irl hhR(�t :°49Rel 'rttJ,r ` �}(»til ills 9V111:4111M4 ktiItx. 7'30 Ci' 1-C
7 Next Mmetinn; will be chaired by Betsy Whitman in John Frey's absence. Lowe1Lreet
development is likely agenda item. Time: Tuesday November 10th a 8:00 PM /c25✓1
cc. DAC members,JacK Eddison, Planning Board, Board of Appeals