HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-12-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 5
Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on December 12, 2024, beginning at 8:36 am in the Parker
Room, Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Mike Harris,
Katherine Huang, Je>rey Lyon, Kat MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair),
Liaisons present: Jay Abdella, EDD; Capt. Christopher Barry, Lexington Police Dept; Jill
Hai, Select Board; Sandhya Iyer, EDD; Dave Pinsonneault, DPW
Guests: Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons; Bridger McGaw, Vice Chair of Economic
Development Council; Danit Netzer
DPW Update
• Dave Pinsonneault updated the committee.
o DPW has already handled 4 icing events this season.
o There are some issues with wires on holiday lights. Private donations
raised each year totalling $10,000 -$12,000 to pay for holiday lights. Each
year the group tries to have something a bit di>erent. Private donations
can be made at lightinguplexington.com.
o DPW requires details for Menorah (12/26) and the Star/Moon for Eid
(2/29-4/1) lightings.
o Dave Pinsonneault will invite John Livsey (Town Engineer) to attend our
January meeting for an update on parking lots and the status of other
design issues.
o Lexington Center Committee suggests a liaison with the group re-
designing the parking lots.
o Arrows on the pavement in the lot behind Michelson’s have not been re-
painted in over a year. Suggestion made that this be addressed in the
spring.
o Committee recognized improvement in trash barrel collection and
thanked DPW.
Page 2 of 5
Lexington Center Events
o Santa arrived in the front seat of a police cruiser (rather than fire engine) on
Friday, November 29th. Great success.
o Menorah Lighting of the second candle – Thursday, December 26th – Emery
Park
o Illumination Weeks in January
§ Various events focused on light and related holidays throughout
Lexington in January
o Taste of Lexington – Thursday, December 5th – many participants and grows
each year
Bridger McGaw, Vice Chair of Economic Development Council
o Addressed Lexington Center Committee to recommend that everything
currently being worked on have a deadline prior to the 250th Celebration
o Recommended a memo be sent to Select Board regarding Section 3A of the
MBTA Zoning Act with a focus on actionable items related to the work of the
Lexington Center Committee.
§ Jerry Michelson will re-circulate recommendations previously made
so our committee can review and act.
Economic Development Department (EDD) Update
• Vacancy Update:
o Bulpan – potential interest from Post 1917, a high-end steakhouse. Existing
location in Reading.
o Sanyo (25 Depot Square) – potential interest from Linear Retail Properties in
Burlington with questions on licensing and outdoor seating on behalf of a
client.
o Zen (previously known as Karma) – filed with Zoning Board of Appeals for
patio and outdoor seating.
o 15 Depot Square - Three new residential units planned above Lexington
Nails. Filed with Zoning Board of Appeals for parking relief.
Page 3 of 5
§ Depot Square currently allows residential use of any floor above the
ground floor but requires parking relief. Any parking would be part of
shared parking.
§ Parking for future residences in Lexington Center will be an issue,
unless new building (which requires parking be a part of the building
proposal).
§ Lexington Center Committee may want to proactively make a
recommendation to the Select Board/Zoning Board of Appeals
regarding parking for existing structures in Lexington Center. As
vacancies fill and floors above the first floor increase with residential
use, parking should be addressed.
§ Lexington Center projects may request relief from Zoning Board of
Appeals. Current regulations require 1 parking spot per residential
unit and 1 parking spot per 250 sf of o>ice space.
§ MBTA Zoning projects must solve for parking on-site but Lexington
Center projects do not qualify under the MBTA Zoning.
§ Parking is an ongoing issue that this committee will continue to
discuss in 2025.
• Mural Project:
o 3 finalists have been chosen. Two artists are from neighboring towns and
one is from Florida.
o These finalists will submit conceptual drawings with a single artist to be
selected by 12/31.
o Mural Project to be completed by December 2026.
• Parklet :
o Innessa Manning is putting together a draft memo of recommendations
regarding the parklet. She will present them at this committee’s January
meeting for approval and submission to the Select Board.
• Grain Mill Alley Kiosk Update:
o Bid is out for Grain Mill Alley and other signage along the bike path.
o Sandhya spoke with the e-ink company and it is likely this can move forward.
o Cannot go before HDC until bid is final. Final design requires HDC approval.
Page 4 of 5
Parking Lot Redesign – Muzzey Street and Library
• Jill Hai reported that budget hearings began last week. The Sustainability O>icer
requested an RFP for solar feasibility for all parking lots. There is a question whether
that work can be incorporated into the individual projects. Concern that solar
feasibility may slow down individual projects. This committee wants to be clear that
we are not against solar, but businesses need to maintain the business-related use
of the parking lots.
• Since the solar feasibility study may take some time, Lexington Center Committee
discussed parking-related issues that should be addressed in the near-term.
o Both lots are getting bogged-down with delivery trucks. Parking policy and
the reality of deliveries are di>erent.
o Fred Johnson suggested restricting the alley behind Royal India Bistro to
business delivery trucks only.
• Request made that John Linsey (Town Engineer) bring whatever information he has
regarding parking in the Center to this committee’s January meeting.
• Next steps: At January meeting, assure that John Livsey has a baseline list of current
business activities taking place in the Lexington Center parking lots.
Approve Meeting Minutes
Lexington Center Committee approved the minutes from the September, October and
November 2024 Meetings
Lexington Center Committee Membership
• Committee Membership
o Mike Harris was o>icially appointed to the committee.
o Danit Netzer will be recommended to the Select Board next. After Danit’s
appointment, there will still be one open seat on the committee.
• Appreciation
o Small gifts of appreciation were given to past members Fred Johnson, Pam
Lyons and Pam Shadley for their long-standing commitment to this
committee.
Page 5 of 5
o Jerry Michelson expressed gratitude for all the members of this committee –
past and present – for sharing their time and expertise for the benefit of our
town.
Meeting adjourned 10:00.
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 9th 8:30-10:00
=======================================================================
2025 Meeting Schedule:
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11