HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-07-DAC-min.pdf Design Advisory Committee(DAC)
Minutes of July 7 1998
Present: John Frey Chairman;Betsy Whitman;Carl Oldenburg; Steve Hurley Bruce Creager;Betty Edison,Board
of Selectmen; Stacey Bridge-Denzak,Planning Board Liaison;Bob Stigberg,Associate;Karen Bechtel, scribe
1. June 9 1998 minutes approved,noting that item#3 `Recommendation' should read 'The sign was not
recommended for approval. and#6 Merritt Rd. should be Marrett Rd.
2. Waldorf H S. 703 Mass Ave—Permit for transition zone between School and residential zone needs Board of
Appeals approval. The architect and landscape architect presented the Master Plan which demonstrated an
attempt to 'free the building from the asphalt' using stone dust and paths around the perimeter of the building
and creating a free-standing stone wall with an 8' planting buffer planted with vinca. The stone wall would be
2'x 2'with a planting of coralberry behind it on the neighbor's property
Sueaestions/Recommendations
A denser border could be achieved by a double planting of shrubs. The DAC was concerned about the plan to
plant the coralberry shrubs on the neighbor's property It would be important to negotiate with the neighbor or
consider moving the stone wall and planting the shrubs on school property
3 AT&T Communications Facility. Steve Anderson.AT&T Wireless Communications—A request has been
made to attach three antennas to the Met State water tower as part of a PCS(Personal Communication System).
The antennae measure 8' x 5' and will be colored to match the tower.Nine coax cables(1-5/8' in diameter)
will be wired from the antennae to an equipment cabinet on the ground. This cabinet will be roughly the size of
a refrigerator.Provisions will be made for an additional cabinet at a future date.The cables will be installed in a
2' x 16' tray(cables can also be stacked in a tray of another size). The tray will be installed on the leg of the
tower and painted to match. This is a 20-year installation with the town of Lexington receiving half the rent and
the MWRA receiving the other half.
Suggestions/Recommendations
The DAC mentioned that screening might be called for,The Committee asked that the antennae and cable boxes
be made as inconspicuous as possible. The DAC could not give final approval since the drawings were not final,
but felt that AT&T was on the right track. AT&T will be going to the Board of Appeals directly
4. John passed out draft copies of the `Instructions for Completing an Application for a Permit for a Wireless
communications Facility in Lexington,MA.
5. NEXTEL plans to come in soon re: a communications facility on the Stride Rite building, Spring Street.
6. John suggested that Bob Stigberg and Josh Hassol(approved as associate members)be appointed regular
members and John would step down as Chairman and a regular member. Steve Hurley would be a-goad.
can dilate-er the new Chairman.Members discussed the goal of developing a better dialogue with the HDC and
an opportunity for the DAC to be of more value in it's consulting role. A new set of charges is needed to revive
the DAC.
The DAC is allowed nine regular members with an unlimited number of associates. Associates are to have
voting power if regular members are absent. (We should let the Board of Selectmen know of these changes).
Discussion.
Betty suggested that the DAC make a specific proposal to the Board of Selectmen as to what the redefinition of
the charge of the DAC should be. The Committee suggested that a liaison be appointed from the DAC and the
HDC to attend each other's meetings. The DAC should work to enhance the relationships with the DPW Center
Committee and the Engineers.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30.