HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-01-DAC-min.pdf DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Town of Lexington
July 6, 1999
The Minutes
June 1 1999 Meeting
Present: Steve Hurley (Chairman), Carl Oldenburg, John Frey Karen Bechtel, Bruce
Creager Betty Eddison (Selectmen's Liaison), Barbara Hulsizer, and Stacey Bridge-
Denzak.
Scribe: Stacey Bridge-Denzak
1 Approval of Minutes
• Correction: Regarding the Center Parking, "Rick White/ The Town' will hire a
surveyor and the DAC will do a study as long; the DAC feels we need a good
base plan to work from; the study will include the parking areas behind CVS
(which will look at the area's connection to the bikeway) and behind Michelson's
Shoes.
2. Depot Square
• Will go out to bid in September; otherwise, no update.
3. Lexington Christian Academy
• This topic came up because Precinct One residents complained to Rick White
( that they were not notified of a DAC's Meeting which reviewed this project; if this
group calls the DAC again, contact Rick White; John Frey mentioned they went
to the East Lexington's Annual Meeting to complain, but John clarified that the
DAC is purely an advisory committee.
• The resident's concerns are
a. Location of the building.
b. Reduction in the number of parking spaces based upon the Zoning By-Laws.
c. Confirmation of the parking study based upon calculation of trips generated
by the facility
• Since the DAC meeting, the 25-foot vegetated buffer was achieved; however, the
parking requirements are still in question because the new By-Law is difficult to
determine the number needed for this facility
4 Cary Hall Update
• Rick White is happy with the plan; the next step is to determine a funding source;
the DAC estimated an approximate cost of$50,000 —$60,000, however the plan
can be phased.
• Bob Cataldo attended this part of the meeting and presented his proposal for
enhancing the area around the new tree (which he donated to the Town, in
memory of his sister) now located in front of Cary Hall. Bob (who had spoken to
Brian Gilbert) would like to add flowers around the base of the tree now but not
be considered this area's benefactor for landscaping; he will plant and maintain
flowers this year then reevaluate the situation for the next year
• Bruce Creager is concerned with the amount of shade in this area and little
L growth that may happen below the tree.
• Barbara Hulsizer is concerned about the future construction with respect to
DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Town of Lexington
July 6, 1999
paving and its impact to the tree; John Frey felt it should not be a problem if the
new paving happens soon; John did mention that annuals should not be placed
at saucer of tree in order to avoid fussing around the tree's root zone.
• DAC members questioned the tree's location; Bob Cataldo responded that he
would be concerned about moving the tree now; the tree itself has a small
rootball, and was even concerned about its longevity when moving it to this
lbcation.
• Suggestions for annuals/plantings at the tree were geraniums, Vinca minor
and/or day lilies (something permanent), and impatients.
• The DAC decided not to pursue something permanent since the space soon may
be undergoing a lot of change; the group was looking for balance by planting
both sides of the entrance to Cary Hall with the decided plant material.
• DAC decision: White impatients at both sides of Cary Hall.
5. Minute Man Statue/ Harrington Road Tour Bus Parking
• The Selectmen met to discuss the issues surrounding tour bus parking at the
Battle Green; a committee was formed to review this issue; the current plan calls
for them to park along Bedford Street.
6. Hastings Park
• Susan Vasser would like to add a bench to Hastings Park; Steve Hurley and
John Frey see an opportunity to add five; this request will need to go before the
Historic Districts Commission (HDC).
7 HDC Meeting regarding Rejected Sign Approvals
• Steve Hurley met with Steve Politi (HDC) and John McWeeney (Zoning Board of
Appeals- ZBA) to discuss the glitches in the process for applicants when they
need to go through Town approvals to place a sign in the Center's Historic
District, especially related to signs rejected by the HDC; John McWeeney would
prefers not being involved in the rejected sign process; Steve Hurley commented
that the HDC needs to have a relationship with the DAC and ZBA, Steve H.
mentioned that the DAC had qualified designers to evaluate signs or those signs
that have been rejected; however, the process is flawed.
• Steve Hurley felt that the DAC and the HDC need to work together and go to
Town Meeting with a proposal granting approval authority strictly to the HDC.
Betty Eddison commented that the DAC should not give full authority to the HDC
for rejected signs approval; the DAC should get the first review of a rejected sign,
and then a DAC member would attend the HDC Hearing to support the revised
sign.
• Steve Hurley's efforts were commended by the group.
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