HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-17-TAC-minMarch 17, 2025 Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
Location: Pursuant to the ............ ,!) M.ggL ig ,U ��r, the meeting was held remotely by Zoom
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Scheduled time: 6 pm
Members Present: Kunal Botla (chair), Pamela Lyons (vice -chair), Nishanth Veeragandham
(secretary), Sally Castleman (joined 6:05 pm), Mark Andersen, James Luker, Daniel Asta.
A quorum was present throughout the meeting. All votes were taken by a roll call vote.
Members Absent: none.
No liaisons, staff, or members of the public were present in attendance,
Kunal Botla called the meeting to order at 6 pm and Pamela Lyons read the remote meeting
authorization statement. Kunal confirmed attendance by roll call; all attending remotely.
Discuss and Consider Amending Comments and Report on STM25-1 Article 2
Members discussed the proposed amendment to not remove the Center's multifamily overlay
district under Special Town Meeting 2025-1's Article 2. Kunal presented a draft statement and
highlighted elements of the motion that may be relevant for the Committee's discussion.
Pam offered background on the Center. Mark asked questions about if the Committee has
standing to report and if the Committee's overlap with proponents of the amendment is of
concern. Jay responded that committee overlap exists elsewhere and Sally responded that
zoning is related to transportation. Dan and Sally made additional comments of their thoughts.
A motion to approve the position statement in addition to the existing statement on Article 2
was duly made, seconded, and approved by roll -call vote (5—yes, 2—no, 0—abstain,
0—absent).
Approved statement: "The Transportation Advisory Committee supports the
amendment to Article 2 seeking to retain zoning allowing for multifamily housing in the
Center. Lexington Center is the center of public transportation, a hub of retail and local
resources, and accessible through pedestrian access, bike, and a number of roadways.
Allowing the construction of more housing in the Center will be productive in further
developing the walkable neighborhood and encouraging transit friendly housing."
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 pm by a motion duly made, seconded, and approved by
roll -call vote (7—yes, 0—no, 0—abstain, 0—absent).
Documents Referenced
1. March 17, 2025 Agenda, Transportation Advisory Committee, Town of Lexington
o On file with the Town Clerk
2. Transportation Advisory Committee Article 2 Center Amendment Position Statement
o Attached to these minutes
Respectfully submitted,
Kunal Botla, Chair
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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KUNAL BOTLA, CHAIR
PAMELA LYONS, VICE -CHAIR
NISHANTH VEERAGANDHAM, SECRETARY
SALLY CASTLEMAN
MARK ANDERSEN
JAMES LUKER
DANIEL ASTA
March 17, 2025 MEMORANDUM
To: Town Meeting
From: Kunal Botla, Chair — Transportation Advisory Committee
Re: Transportation Advisory Committee Statement on STM 25-1 Art. 2 Amendment
Members of Town Meeting,
The Transportation Advisory Committee, at its March 17, 2025 meeting, approved the following
position statement for proposed amendment Article 2 retaining the MFO district in the Center
of Special Town Meeting 2025-1, with five votes in favor and two opposed:
"The Transportation Advisory Committee supports the amendment to Article 2 seeking
to retain zoning allowing for multifamily housing in the Center. Lexington Center is the
center of public transportation, a hub of retail and local resources, and accessible
through pedestrian access, bike, and a number of roadways. Allowing the construction
of more housing in the Center will be productive in further developing the walkable
neighborhood and encouraging transit friendly housing."
At its March 11, 2025 meeting, the Transportation Advisory Committee approved the following
position statement for Article 2 of Special Town Meeting 2025-1, with six votes in favor, none
opposed, and one absent:
"The Transportation Advisory Committee supports the changes represented by the
Article 2 compromise motion. We believe the changes will lead to housing that is more
likely to attract households that use transit and own fewer cars compared to
single-family homes. The compromise motion of Article 2 largely maintains four districts
that are centrally located, in walkable locations to various retail and other services, and
along the MBTA 62 and 76 bus routes, Lexpress, and the Minuteman Bikeway."
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
transportationcmte@lexingtonma.gov
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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Sincerely,
Kunal Botla
Chair, Transportation Advisory Committee
Cc: Select Board
Planning Board
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
transportationcmte@lexingtonma.gov