HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-20-EDAC-min Town of Lexington
Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC)
Minutes of Meeting December 20, 2017
A meeting of the EDAC was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. in the Parker
Room of the Town Office Building.
Members Present: Narain Bhatia, George Burnell, Rick DeAngelis, John McWeeney, Kevin
McGuire, Larry Smith, Sig Tullmann
Staff Present: Megan Zammuto
Liaisons Present: Charles Hornig, Joe Pato
Guests Present: Charles Minasian,
Members Absent: Tom Dusel, David Pronchick
Hartwell Avenue Zoning Initiative
M. Zammuto presented the consultants slides from the December 18'h Joint Board of Selectmen
and Planning Board Meeting. The committee discussed the relationship between development
and infrastructure improvements, and how flexible zoning can send a message to developers. G.
Burnell discussed the traffic studies that were done in the area in the 1990's that could be
relevant for today's conversation. The committee discussed the residential component of the
vision and suggested we look into the number of school aged children that live in Avalon
communities.
Questions include:
• How much residential do we need to support retail?
• Do we want any residential in this area?
C. Hornig discussed his hope to do something concrete to increase Economic Development for
the Annual Spring Town Meeting. He discussed a proposal that a)relaxes dimensional standards
in the CM district, b) Make CM districts more like CRO, and additional technical changes that
would make the proposal work. His hope was that the Planning Board would recommend this
proposal, but they are not moving forward on the proposal at this time. The committee discussed
considering a citizens petition to move this idea forward.
A motion was made by G. Burnell to support the concept of C. Hornig's proposed articles for
consideration at the Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by L. Smith and approved
unanimously.
Discussion of proposed new zoning district, Marrett Road area: Charles Minasian
C. Minasian discussed proposed changes on Marrett Road and Spring Street. The area is
currently zoned CN and CS. The presentation included a discussion of what uses would be
changing in this proposed new zone that would include seven properties. The board no longer
had a quorum, but expressed a general consensus of support for the proposed zoning district.
Discussion of potential Senior Living Projects
M. Zammuto discussed the 331 Concord Avenue project that plans to go to Town Meeting this
spring. The facility will include memory care, assisted living and independent living, and 10%
will be affordable. The Belmont Country Club project is considering going to Town Meeting in
the fall. This project will also include memory care, assisted living and independent living units.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Next Meeting: January 24, 2018
Approved on: March 21, 2018