HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-05-DAC-min.pdf Minutes
LEXINGTON DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 5 1999
Present: Steve Hurley Chairperson, Members; Betsy Whitman, Barbara
Hulsizer, Karen Bechtel, Olga Voronina, John Frey Carl Oldenburg, Bruce
Cr�(scribe), Selectmen Liason, Betty Eddison and Associate Jon Longley
I. Minutes of December I 1999 approved with corrections as follows, attendees
to include 'Carl Oldenburg. member and next meeting date to react '1.5 99'
Minutes Approved.
2. -New member Ms. Olga Voronina, Architect, welcomed to the committee
-Lexington s new Economic Development Officer, Mr Joe Marino, gave the
eorrnnittce a brief description of his new duties and his previous experience in
town office His locus is on existing and new business/job development and
helping to shepherd applicants through the town approvals process. Steve
Hurley briefly defined the DAC's scope and the Committees keenness to work
with him.
3 Board of Appeals.
8:40p.m. Sign - 'MARRETT SQUARE' at corner of Marren Rd. and
Waltham Street. Steve Hurley Architect, presented the proposed sign and
location to be on the 'tower' two sides, three dimensional letters with a medium
dark metallic bronze finish. John Frey (temporary chairperson) to draft a
favorable recommendation to the Board.
9:00p.m. Sign 'SunRise -Care & Rehabilitation for Lexington at 178
Lowell Street was presented by the sign vender on behalf of Sun Healthcare
Group. The pylonned sign 48 high and 60' long and 9' overall depth was felt
the he out of character with a residential neighborhood. Recommend that the
sign be changed to double 6'fir post and round finial 72' high and 60' apart with
sign 30' high by approximately 48' long suspended between posts with stand-off
mountings and 4' below the bottom of the finial. Posts are to he painted off
white. Sign colors are the corporate colors. Recommendation to approve with
the recommended changes only
4. Correspondence.
1998 Annual Report, summary of John Frey's report on DAC received and
approved.
- Updated Members List: distributed with additions and corrections noted.
Depot Square Norway Maples: Steve Hurley briefed the Committee on the
history of Depot Square Design Review with town committees and concerned
groups by the Landscape Architects. The recent concern over the retnoval of
Norway Maples does not seem to be informed by the careful review process.
The DAC Landscape Architect members reiterated that Norway Maples are at
the top of the list of 'highly Invasive plant life. John Frey will draft an
informative document for the newspaper
5 DAC/Selectmen Letter Bob Stigbergs draft letter will be reviewed by
members, with additional material presented by Betsy Whitman, including
reference to the Dixon report, 'Design Guidelines for Lexington DAC s 'Sign
Guidelines and Town Meetings articles on 'Lighting Bylaws and 'Wireless
Communications Antennas extending to site plan review
6. DAC/HDC, Steve Hurley discussed partnering with HDC chairperson,
Steve Polliti.The DAC's successful partnering with both the Planning Board,
with Stacey Bridge-Denzak as liaison, and Board of Appeals as examples of
productive advisory Steve will further the partnering with HDC keeping the
Selectmen and Town Manager informed
7 Cary Hall Entry and Driveway Modifications. Steve Burley reported his
review of preliminary sketches with the Town Manager, Rick White. Bruce
Creager presented the latest iteration of the design proposal. Bruce will revise
the scheme to show a reduction in brick paving, bituminous concrete at pick
up/drop-off zone, and grassed lawn slope in the area of the existing flag pole.
Existing shrubs will be removed from the flag pole location and selectively
pruned and relocated on either side of the Cary Hall entry Relocation of
existing war memorials (presently entirely hidden by the shrubs) will be
discussed with concerned parties.John Frey will make an estimate of the scheme
for budgetary purposes. Betty Eddison indicated that the 'Blossom Fund' could
be a source for some funding of the project.
8. Minute-Man: Harrington Road: Tour Buses: Steve Hurley presented a
Design Sketch update for review and comment. The scheme proposes striped
neckdowns at Bedford Street north of the green, well marked pedestrian
crosswalks at the intersection of Harrington and Bedford streets, tour bus
seasonal parking on the northeast side of Bedford Street at the Information
Center an apron of brick paving in front of the minute-man statue 30 ft. at the
front, and extending around the sides in the form a neckdowns, and an island at
the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Bedford Street near the library
with modified neckdown in front of the library Steve also put forward the idea
that Stop & Shop should be approached with the proposal to eliminate overhead
power and poles along Bedford Street. Crosswalk treatment with ncckdown is
also proposed for intersection at Merriam Street. The scheme received the
enthusiastic support of the DAC
9 Hastings Park Bench Locations: Further bench locations were proposed for
the park. John Frey and Steve Hurley will review these locations again on site
for final location proposal.
Meeting adjourned 10:45p.m. next DAC meeting 2.2.99 rm.l 11, 8:00p.m.