HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-09-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 4
Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on January 9, 2025 beginning at 8:30 am in the Parker Room,
Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr, Richard Brown, Mike Harris, Katherine Huang, Je>rey
Lyon, Kat MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair)
Liaisons present: Capt. Christopher Barry, Lexington Police Dept; Jill Hai, Select Board;
Charles Hornig, Planning Board; Sandhya Iyer, EDD; Janet Perry, Commission on Disability
and Council on Aging
Guests: Fred Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Danit Netzer
Lexington Center Events
• LexLux Event scheduled for January 11th at Munroe Center for the Arts. More
information at https://lex250.org/event/lex-lux-illuminating-lexington/
Results of 12/16/24 Select Board Discussion regarding Workshop Recommendations
• Lexington Center Committee Memorandum dated 7/22/24 was presented again to
the Select Board.
• The memo re-stated the 4 main recommendations that came out of the outside
review of Lexington Center made by Mullin Associates. Lexington Center
Committee wanted to remind the Select Board of these issues and asked them to
prioritize them in light of future discussions regarding development.
o Prioritize decisions regarding use of town-owned land in Lexington Center
o Focus on ways to create more welcoming and inviting entryways from key
access points (parking lots, bike paths, Visitor Center)
o Convene a forum of relevant municipal bodies and committees to ensure
alignment around the application of new bylaws (signage, MBTA zoning, etc)
o Evaluate options for supporting Lexington Center programming
Multifamily Overlay District (MFO) and Possible Citizen Article
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o There are 2 draft motions outstanding to request a rollback of the Multifamily
Overlay District (MFO, VO, VMO) including the MFO for Lexington Center even
though it is not one of the MBTA Zoning Overlay Districts.
o The CB zoning allows 2 stories without a zoning variance. The MFO allows 4 stories
(52 feet) with the street level still requiring commercial use. During the
development of the TM motion, the 52 feet was a reduction from the original
proposed 60 feet to address shading and light.
o In December, the Select Board approved an overview examination by an
independent contractor to review population growth as well as the estimated results
of unit density/bedroom configuration on services and schools. The examination is
set to last 8 weeks.
o A Special Town Meeting, which is being requested under a citizen petition, would
seek to amend Section 7.5 of the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the Multi-family Dwelling
Unit Capacity and/or place a moratorium on building.
o Last Monday, a case in Milton, MA ruled that the MBTA Zoning law is constitutional
and that the Attorney General of the Commonwealth can enforce it. There is an
expectation that the Governor’s O>ice will issue emergency guidelines around this
ruling. Guidelines will clarify what the town has to do, not the property owners.
o If zoning changes in Lexington, projects without current building permits will need to
cease.
o There are currently approximately 400 units proposed between the Bedford Street
and Militia Drive developments. Those properties will a>ect tra>ic in the center.
o Our Lexington Center Committee should continue to focus on tra>ic and parking
issues in Lexington Center. The HDC will limit some of the development in the
Center.
o The Lexington Center Committee unanimously moved to read our
support of ATM’23 Article 34 and present a Letter of Support for MFO of
the CB to remain in the bylaws at the Planning Board hearing of STM Art 2.
§ Jerry will circulate that letter of support and we will discuss further at
the 2/13/25 Lexington Center Committee meeting.
Economic Development Department (EDD) Update (Sandhya)
• Vacancy Update:
o Bulpan – 25 Waltham Street – Post 1917, a high-end steakhouse, has signed
a lease and will need permits. Front entrance is not ADA compliant. May be
able to connect with adjacent Webster Bank ramp. Loading Zone has also
expired. All these items are in the planning stages.
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o Zen (previously known as Karma) – 10 Muzzey Street - filed with Zoning Board
of Appeals for patio and outdoor seating.
o 1666 Mass Ave (Sharon Spaulding’s building)
§ New rental on the second floor to a real estate tenant. Requires a
special permit.
• Mural Project:
o An artist has been selected.
o Project is now before the HDC and Lexington Bike Advisory Committee.
• Jay Abdella Memo dated 1/8/25
o Jay put together a memo outlining the current requirements in place for
Lexington Center on the topics of trash, loading, and parking.
o The Committee agreed having the information in a single document is helpful
and we thank Jay for this work.
Wayfinding Signs and Grain Mill Alley Update:
o Design is needed for the entire bike path.
o Sandhya shared a visual presentation with the Lexington Center Committee
o $30,000 in funding from ARPA and an additional $30,000 from the 2016
capital budget
o proposes 12 locations and 18 signs from Lex Center to Bedford St
o Meriam Street, Depot Square, Grain Mill Alley and Edison Way are main
locations in Lexington Center
Parklet Location for 2025 Discussion
• Innessa drafted and shared a memo dated 12/5/24 on behalf of the Lexington
Center Committee to be submitted to the Select Board with recommendations for
the mobile parklet in Lexington Center.
o Should add visibility to parklet for safety reasons. Perhaps bistro lights.
o Suggestion to add heavy planters to add a bit of protection from drivers.
o The parklet belongs to the town. Private businesses can request outdoor
seating for a fee.
o Suggestion to consider removable steel bollards attached to cement blocks.
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o Possibility of locating parklet on Waltham Street. Not sure whether that will
work with loading needs.
o Committee members will consider this more before submitting Innessa’s
memo to the Select Board.
Meeting adjourned 10:00.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 13t 8:30-10:00
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2025 Meeting Schedule:
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11