HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-14-TAC-minJanuary 14, 2025 Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
Location: Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, the meeting was held remotely by Zoom
teleconferencing session open to the public following updated guidance posted by the Office
of the Attorney General on June 28, 2023.
Scheduled Time: 7:30 pm
Members Present: Kunal Botla (Chair), Pamela Lyons (Co -Chair), Jay Luker, Mark Andersen,
Nishanth VeeragandhamSally Castleman, Daniel Asta (joined late, at 7:50)
Members Absent: None
Transportation Manager: Susan Barrett was not present, attending a different meeting at time
of this meeting
Liaisons Present: Sudhir Jain, (COA)
Liaisons Absent: Jill Hai (Select Board), Melanie Thompson (Planning Board), Sebastian
Fairbairn (Lexington High School)
Others Present: Vineeta Kumer, candidate for SelectBoard, joined the meeting for some of the
time
Call to Order: Chair Kunal Botla called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm, and Pamela Lyons
read the remote meeting authorization statement. Attendance was confirmed by roll call; all
members attended remotely.
Public Comment: None
Minutes: Minutes from October meeting approved 6 YES (D Costa not present yet), September
approved 6 YES, December 5 YES 1 ABSTAIN because member absent from that meeting
Planning Board Applications:
1. #7 Hartwell. It will be 5 stories of rental housing with 135 units including 20
"affordable" (80% of Area Median -Income, AMI units), around corner from MBTA
Bedford St bus 62/76, surface parking at rear and 1 underground level of parking,
TAC discussed and determined we wanted to require:
i. A bus shelter at feasible site TBD*
ii. Unbundled parking
iii. 128 BC membership
iv. TDM contribution
v. Pedestrian connectivity
A motion was made and passed 7 YES for K. Botla to write a letter to Planning
Board with the above input from TAC
*JLuker and Pam may participate in determining a sensible site
2. S Castleman asked that TAC be kept informed when the Lowell St housing
development is going to come up, so that we can get our input in early. There is no
transportation there other than Lexpress, and we should require a substantial
contribution to TDM so as to ensure the security of Lexpress service. Possibly also a
good way to remind the SB, Sustainability Cttee and others about the importance and
the fragility of Lexpress.
3. N Veeragandham recommended that TAC create a range of guidelines for by -right
developments, and get tougher/stricter on transportation amenities that should be
provided. Examples in addition to items discussed for #7 Hartwell: amount of revenue
expected to TDM should relate to parking spaces; if possible require a Traffic Study
S Castleman liked the idea because it says that Lexington is serious about
public transportation, and wants developers to know this.
K Botla thinks Blue Bikes (BBs) would be a great addition on Hartwell Ave, but
Lex does not have BB's.
K Botla reported that Traffic Studies are not allowed by the T regulation as part
of zoning, but we might consider a full -town regulation, e.g. by the Planning
Board, that requires something like a contribution amount to TDM in relation to
number of parking spaces.
K Botla also suggested that Bike Advisory Cttee might ask for TDM contribution
if the contractor reduces the bike parking below the required spaces.
N Veeragandham also suggested that a short TAC sub -committee meeting could be
called between regular TAC meetings to determine what on the list should be advanced
for each particular development
Bus Stops/Shelters: P Lyons brought photos of a short bench seat wrapped around a bus
stop pole that Select Person M Sandeen had given her for TAC to consider. These would work
at bus stops where there is no room for a shelter, but enough of a little space for these. P
Lyons volunteers to look at bus stops and look further into these, when the weather is warmer.
(The T has done an evaluation of our bus stops and possibly a comprehensive survey as well.)
LHS Update: LHS Update: N Veeragandham contacted the Superintendent, about the 45 -minute
presentation the project's architects were willing to give us, but the plans for the high school are in the
schematic phase so it will be approx. 3-4 months (spring) until those plans will be ready for our review.
Liaison Reports: Only S Jain (COA) present, and nothing new related to transportation.
Adjournment and Next Meeting: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55. Next meeting will be
February 11.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Castleman