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Home My WebLink About2024-09-12-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 5 Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Submitted by Kat MacDonald Minutes for the meeting held on September 12, 2024, beginning at 8:30 am in the Parker Room, Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Je>ery Lyon, Kat MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela Shadley Liaisons present: Jay Abdella, Economic Development Coordinator; Captain Christopher Barry, Lexington Police; Jill Hai, Select Board; Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director; Koren Stembridge, Director of Cary Memorial Library Guests: Andy Frielich, Danit Netzer Parking – Muzzey Street and Library Lots • Koren Stembridge represented Cary Memorial Library with interest in possible parking changes and to share CML concerns. • Currently CM Library has a sta> lot, a public metered lot, and a few 10 Minute Max spaces. Meters are currently 50 center per hour with a 2-hour limit. • Koren reported that the lot is generally used by library patrons. When large events take place in the Center, others use the lot. There are currently no restrictions on lot use. • Koren prefers meters to a kiosk because when a driver has children with him/her, meters are preferable. • Committee discussed possibility of creating pedestrian access between Muzzey Street and Library lots. Connecting vehicular tra>ic would pose multiple problems but additional signage and walkways could improve pedestrian tra>ic and connect the two parking areas. o Discussion with abutters would be necessary. o When Muzzey Lot is re-paved, this suggestion should be raised. Parking – Online Parking Map • The Online Parking Map needs to be updated before Lexington 250. Page 2 of 5 Parking – Regulations and Meter Types • Overall goal of parking discussion/improvements is to make Lexington Center more welcoming to both residents and visitors. • Captain Barry spoke to the monitoring of parking. Parking boots employed about 6 times a year. It is e>ective but only needed infrequently. • Lexington o>ers Free Parking to Lexington Residents who are at least 65 years old. • Purpose of issuing parking tickets is to free up spaces – not to raise revenue. Parking revenue does go into improvements for parking lots or areas adjacent to parking lots. • Committee needs someone to both update Online Parking Map and gather data on parking in the Center. Contact Jerry to volunteer. • Pay by Phone o Depot Lot is currently only Pay by Phone. This is still a Pilot Program. No meter heads – only parking stickers or pay by phone with a few 15 Minute Max spots. o Committee Members noted numerous comments regarding parking on Lexington Residents Facebook page. o Despite lots of communication, still confusion and resistance to Pay by Phone. Some people feel that Pay by Phone is not simple or quick to originally set-up, and a phone application or a phone call is required. o Enforcement of Pay by Phone is more di>icult than coin meters because the enforcement agent needs to check the application. o A suggestion was made to create a live video instruction of the Pay by Phone process. A postcard listing the steps has been used in the past. Another suggestion was to communicate with Seniors via the quarterly tax bill about the Senior Parking Sticker program. Parklet Update: • Cones remain in front of parklet. Cones should be replaced with reflectors but still not done. The parklet will be removed in October. • The sign Jay posted about the parklet being public and for the use of all has been removed three times. The town is aware of this. • Location in front of Avenue Deli was well-received and the parklet was popular. • Future location of parklet for 2025 to be decided. The ramp and the pitch could be improved. Suggestion to move it down a few storefronts to improve line of sight and to improve parking for Wales Copy Center. Page 3 of 5 Bicycles on the Sidewalks: • Andy Frielich presented to the Center Committee on the problem of bicycles and scooters being used on the sidewalks in the Center. Andy is part of an informal group of citizens who remind people to “walk your wheels”.. o This is a long-standing problem. o 95% of people are respectful with 5% refusing to comply. o Currently, Lexington law states no bike riding on sidewalks in the Center. At the Spring 2025 Town Meeting, an amendment will be considered to also include scooters, skateboard and motorized scooters. o Prior signs installed on whiskey barrels reminding folks to obey the Town by- law were not e>ective. o “Walk Your Wheels” (WYW) Sandwich boards placed in front of Bank of America and in Grain Alley have improved compliance. o Committee members suggested enhancements to the current WYW design. Andy Frielich will consult with Lexington Design Advisory Committee. The current design shows people walking but not biking and universal symbols are not used. o Center Committee suggested consistent signs on bikeway and sidewalks. o There is a fine for biking on sidewalks. No consistent enforcement. o Scooters and bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks but not in the Center. Designation of Lexington Center goes from Grant St/Wallis Ct to Meriam Street. o Suggestion to place more bike racks in parking lots for bike parking, especially in Muzzey Street Lot. Students need to park their bikes when they come from school directly to the Center. o Committee recognized that biking and scootering on the roads in the Center can be dangerous. o Committee suggested reaching out to groups in town that are encouraging biking to school. The adults in these groups could be encouraged to remind kids of the laws against riding on the Lexington Center sidewalks. Fletcher Park Update: • Farmer’s Market will not return to Fletcher Park until 2026. This will allow the newly planted grass to grow. o Farmers want to be able to drive on the grass. o Questions about reserved spots for Farmer’s Market vendors. Page 4 of 5 • Fletcher Park should be active space and not just a park to view. o Nearby water and bathrooms were intentional designed into the new LPD building. o Events are encouraged but probably not trucks or other vehicles on the park itself. Barbeque will probably need to continue behind the Depot. o Committee members are interested in the types of activations possible here: Ice Skating Rink? Food Trucks? • Parking near Police Station o Capt. Barry confirmed there will be 4 new spaces in front of the police station. o There are currently 9 spots inside the police station garage for police vehicles. o There are 4 outside reserved spots for the chief and captains. o There are 13 outside reserved spots for police employees. o The remainder of the lot is for 8:30-4:30 Town Employee Parking. Postal employees are the most upset about the loss of spots in the Fletcher Park lot. Economic Development Department Update: Business Changes in the Center • Liberty Sweets – new candy shop – projected to open in October in old Fancy Flea spot • Hipstitchers – delay to add accessible bathroom • Dragonfly – 1655 Mass Ave – clothing boutique projected to open in October • Zen – Muzzey St - beginning to clear space • Chase Bank – to replace Eastern Bank • Early interest shown from Food CoOp currently organizing • Reminder of 3 Great New Breakfast Spots: o Revival Café o Nouve o Tatte Other Updates from EDD Page 5 of 5 • EDD waiting to hear from Commonwealth on 10 additional wine and beer licenses requested. Hoping for answer by December. Recognition of Center Committee Members Retiring Fred Johnson – 22 years of service on the Center Committee Pam Lyons – 16 years of service on the Center Committee Pamela Shadler – 16 years of service on the Center Committee Meeting adjourned 10:00. Ended with a group photo. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 10th 8:30-10:00 Lexington 250 Calendar Photo at about 8:45