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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-04-DAC-min.pdf DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes August 4, 1998 Present D.A.C. Steve Hurley (Chair),Karen Bechtel, Stacey Bridge-Denzak,John Frey, Barbara Hulsizer, Jon Longley, Bob Stigberg, Carl Oldenburg; Other: Betty Eddison -Board of Selectmen Liaison, John Woodbury - Department of Public Works, David Kanter - Cable TV &Telecommunications Advisory Committee, Eva Heney - Lexington Minuteman Minutes prepared by: Carl Oldenburg Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8.10 PM by Steve Hurley Approvals: The minutes of the previous meeting(July 7, 1998)were reviewed and approved as follows: a. The spelling of Betty Eddison's name is to be corrected; b. Item 6 is to be amended to include the fact that the Committee voted to have Steve Hurley serve as Chair of the D.A.C. Discussion: 1 Communications antennae at Temple Emunah(Omnipoint Communications): Barry Walsh of Omnipoint presented a proposed 77-foot tall structure housing communications anntennae, designed to look like and function as a flagpole. The diameter of the proposed structure is 16" A variance is required because the structure is proposed within the 20-foot property line setback,and for its height, and a special permit is required for its construction in an RO zone. The structure is to replace towers erected on John Carroll's land, which will be taken down soon. A three-foot red balloon will be flown at the tower's proposed height for evaluation of the height. Omnipoint indicated that there are alternatives available to this installation,but they have technical difficulties which will take time to resolve, and may be less effective. Mr. Kanter suggested that the Board of Selectmen allow the towers on John Carroll's land to remain a few more weeks to allow Omnipoint to work out the technical difficulties of the alternative installations. The DAC was concerned about the appropriateness of a tall flagpole at that location, whether a precedent would be set for additional similar installations, and whether this really was a flagpole or a communications tower. Design Advisory Committee Page 2 Meeting Minutes August 4, 1998 Committee members will view the red balloon; Steve Hurley will poll DAC members by telephone and write a recommendation letter to the Board of Appeals. 2. Communications antennae on Stride Rite Building (Nextel Communications): Curt Connors of Nextel presented proposed communications antennae on the Stride Rite building, adjacent to other similar antennae of other carriers, completely concealed behind existing fiberglass screens. Because the installation is completely concealed from any viewpoint, the DAC had no objections to the proposal. There was discussion about a proposed screen wall at the ground level of the building as part of a separate project by Bell Atlantic. The DAC recommends that the new screen be similar in character and materials to the original screen wall rather than to a newer, low wall nearby 3 Face& Bodv Spa, Muzzev Street: A wall-mounted projecting sign has been approved by the Historic Districts Commission. John Frey suggested mounting the sign over the door rather than next to the door as originally designed,so people don't bump their heads on it. The DAC had no objections, and recommend approval to the Board of Appeals. 4. Police Booth: John Woodbury of the Department of Public Works (DPW)was asked by the Historic Districts Commission to begin a process addressing the police booth at the intersection of Mass. Avenue and Waltham Street. It is proposed to replace the existing "telephone booth"with one of more appropriate character and design. An old preliminary sketch of a proposed booth was presented for comment. There was little enthusiasm for the design shown. Mr Woodbury discussed some of his thoughts regarding a possible new design. Committee members questioned the need for any booth at all, Other comments were that muntin bars on the windows, corner posts, etc. may impede visibility and that transparency seemed important. Also, a simple, not 'cutesy" image would be appropriate, including possibly refurbishing the existing booth. Mr. Woodbury will discuss with the Police Department their requirements. 5 Communications: The latest draft of"Instructions for Completing an Application for a Permit for a Wireless Communications Facility" is in hand. Steve Hurley will make copies available to Committee members at the next meeting. John Frey will attend the meeting with communications carriers August 11, 1998. Steve Hurley suggested that David Kanter sit in on DAC meetings in which proposals for communications facilities are discussed. Design Advisory Committee Page 3 Meeting Minutes August 4, 1998 6. Postscrivt: Gold Star/Christmas City sign: The Board of Appeals ruled that the seasonal addition of the "Christmas City" sign to the Goldstar/Seasons Four sign is a "minor revision", and that no hearing is required. The Historic Districts Commission has also approved it. 7 Distribution of HDC Act: Copies of the Act which establishes the Historic Districts Commission in Lexington were distributed to Committee members. Rick White will organize a meeting in September with committee chairs to address the problem of approvals by various committees and commissions. 8. Planning Board: Old Smith Farm Cluster Subdivision, Wood Street: Preliminary plans have been submitted but not yet reviewed by the Planning Board. The DAC and other committees have been notified of this project and members can review the plans if interested. Stacey Bridge-Denzak indicated that she can bring plans to the next DAC meeting. She can be a liaison between the DAC and the Planning Board and will advise the DAC of Planning Board issues which may be of interest. 9 DAC/Selectmen letter: Betty Eddison suggested at the last meeting that specific proposals be submitted to the Board of Selectmen regarding the role and function of the DAC. Members are encouraged to send comments on Bob Stigberg's draft letter to him. 10. Minuteman Statue: The DAC is asked to comment on the proposal to move the Minuteman Statue approximately 35 feet"back"into the Green, or whether it should be refurbished in its present location. Betty Eddison indicated that there are larger issues of traffic and pedestrian safety at hand. A sketch prepared by Bob Ossman in 1991 was shown and discussed. The sketch depicts revisions to the statue area and to Mass. Avenue and Bedford Street in the vicinity There was general agreement in the Committee that the statue should not be moved because it would take away open space in the Green and would present a less "commanding"presence to the Center. A plan such as Bob Ossman's would be better. It was recommended that the DAC coordinate with the Year 2000 committee, as the Statue is one of their major issues as well. 11 Cary Hall: Rick White requested that the DAC "dust off' a plan prepared by John Frey in 1996 for the exterior area in front of Cary Hall, showing landscaping,benches, bike racks, etc., and to present it to the HDC and solicit ideas and comments in order that it or a similar Design Advisory Committee Page 4 Meeting Minutes August 4, 1998 plan be implemented. John Frey will pursue this. It was suggested that the plan include the overall Town Hall/Police Department/Cary Hall area. 12. Center Parking/Bikeway There have been plans in the recent past for improving the parking layout,vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and bikeway access in the center parking area. Steve Hurley spoke with Rick White about this and other relatively small projects that could be taken on by the DAC as design projects to be implemented by the DPW(rather than going out to bid). The DAC agreed that there is interest in developing plans for such projects. 13 Newspaper boxes: Attorneys for the Town will have an opinion for the Selectmen by the end of September. 14 Harrington Road: There will be a site visit on August 13, 1998, at the DPW barn. Abutters and DAC members are invited to attend and give input. The Selectmen will review whether to re- open Harrington Road and installation of"traffic calming devices" 15 Emery Park: The project is not yet out to bid. Abutting merchants have objected to construction starting in November as originally proposed because of impact on holiday shopping period. Spring (March)construction is prefered. Next meeting: Tuesday, September 1, 1998. Scribe: Carl Oldenburg Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM.