HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-10-LCC-min Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for meeting of May 10, 2018
Parker Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, 8:30 am.
Center Committee Members: Michael Boudett, Katherine Huang, Howard Levin, Pamela
Lyons, Jerold Michelson (Chair) and Pamela Shadley
Liaisons: Joe Pato, Board of Selectmen, Frank Smith, Capital Expenditures Committee, Melisa
Tintocalis, Economic Development Director
Guest: David Tabeling
Prior to the beginning of the formal meeting Jerry gave an update on
center maintenance issues . All are urged to attend the important
Center Streetscape meeting in Cary Hall at 7 pm. on June 11tH
Howard and Pam Shadley discussed the current status of the
Streetscape Project. A resident working group, appointed by the Town
Manager to ensure that the engineering conforms to the plan approved
by the Board of Selectmen, Beta and DPW are holding biweekly meetings
and are preparing for the public presentation. The urgency of the
project was underlined by the recent pedestrian/vehicle accident at
the crosswalk in front of Lemon Grass .
An assortment of traffic calming measures were floated including
"carrot" signage on entering the center and increased LPD presence
and enforcement, especially during rush and lunch hours (LPD
currently has a manpower shortage . ) New crosswalk configurations and
narrowing of the roadway by the Streetscape Project will improve
pedestrian safety.
The Center Committee voted 6-0 to urge the Board of Selectmen to look
at welcome Center gateway signage to remind drivers about traffic
safety.
The Center Committee voted 6-0 to recommend the appointment of David
Tabeling to the Center Committee.
Melisa described business/arts/culture initiatives to activate the
Center, using the Center as a stage . More outdoor seating, perhaps
rooftop seating. How can we leverage the temporary Visitors Center?
A subcommittee consisting of (so far) Pamela Lyons and Michael
Boudett was formed to assist Melisa. Committee members are to email
Pamela with their suggestions for projects for compilation and
circulation.
We need to review the LCC' s goal statement on the Town' s website and
update it.
Melisa noted that the parklett is going up. Grain Mill Alley is
moving more slowly. Pam Shadley volunteered to look at the current
design to determine what can be done using only the land that is now
owned by the Town. Pamela Lyons urged a firm deadline for acquisition
of the Historical Society land and moving forward with Pam Shadley' s
alternate plan should no agreement be forthcoming.
The Center Committee voted 6-0 to seek from the Town Manager the
current status of the land swap for the GMA bike node with the
Historical Society and urge the need to move ahead within a short
reasonable time frame or the Town will move ahead with an alternate
plan.
There were assorted alerts that lights will be going up in the GMA
soon, Discovery Day is coming up on the 26th, and there will be a
concert in late June in Emery Park.
Melisa also discussed the proposed Hartwell North rezoning effort
which seeks mixed use development with higher density and some
workforce housing.
The Center Committee voted 6-0 to approve the minutes of the March
20th, 2018 meeting and the notes for the April 6th meeting.