HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-13-DAC-min
Lexington Design Advisory Committee Minutes from January 13, 2026
Attendance: Ian Adamson, Hema Bhatt, Danit Netzer, Minahj Kirmani.
Danit opened the meeting and read the Agenda.
We reviewed plans for 475 Bedford Street. There was a discussion and Danit took notes. Our
st
comments will be submitted to the Planning Board for their January 21 meeting.
The project is for 150 units, 22 of which are inclusionary. Our committee was surprised
that so few units are allotted for affordable housing.
The building design is very basic and disappointing, designed with no imagination and
resembling multi family housing we see everywhere.
Three large buildings look like three large boxes. Massing is large and boring other than
varied colors and materials.
Parking on ground floor increases the height and massing of buildings.
Tandem parking spots are strange and we question their effectiveness.
The exterior looks too busy with varied colors and materials.
The materials, which are not clearly indicated on the Architectural Plans, appear cheap.
The units are very small with limited storage space for residents.
The landscaping is limited, particularly given the large plot of land to be developed.
We like the pergola, basketball court and playground but feel strongly that much more
can be built to create public spaces for over 150 residents.
The sitting area at the entrance seems oddly situated given it’s on busy Bedford Street.
We feel it’s not a space residents would want to use.
Concern was raised about how bikers would get to Hartwell Avenue to get on the nearby
bike path. Crossing Bedford Street seems very difficult and dangerous without a crossing
light and without sidewalks on Bedford Street.
We question how firetrucks access buildings 2 & 3.
Trash and recycling collection sites are not indicated on the plans.
We reviewed plans for 591 Lowell Street. There was a discussion and Danit took notes. The
Planning Board has already approved these plans.
We were pleasantly surprised with aesthetics and contemporary design of this 40-unit
affordable housing plan.
We like the fact that the units are 100% affordable housing.
We appreciated the design of four smaller buildings instead of a large, massive tower as
we have seen in other plans. The pitched roofs reduce mass.
The modern design with pitched roofs allowing solar panels to face south add character.
We liked the light wood cladding that suited the natural surroundings and green spaces.
We liked the floor to ceiling triple glazed windows with low U-Value.
We liked the large terraces with added green spaces.
The pedestrian walkways throughout the property provide lovely, lush surroundings with
natural plantings and trees. We hope the landscaping resembles the mood boards.
Trash and recycling were noted.
The amenity parcel is nice for common space with lovely green roof. We would like that
shared space to be sufficiently large for indoor gatherings.
The plans for future bike lanes and a sidewalk on Lowell street are critical for residents’
ability to actually bike in and out of this development.
We appreciate efforts to preserve woodland canopy at Lowell Street and at intersection.
We liked the well-designed wall storage in 1-2 bedroom units.
Concerns:
Parking spaces are insufficient for 40 units. We counted 10 parking spaces at each of the
four buildings. This only allows one parking spot per unit which is unrealistic. No
parking is available along the narrow one-way access road and only 5 exterior parking
spaces are available for guests. Parking is also not possible on Lowell Street.
The entrance/exit to this development is close to intersection. We recommend moving
the entrance/exit further south on Lowell Street to lessen traffic congestion approaching
the traffic light. A traffic study may be necessary to ensure traffic flow.
Given this area is far from bike paths, we question the necessity of a large bike storage
area. Would that space be better suited for a playground or dog park?
We would have liked to see a half bathroom added to 2-bedroom units
The meeting was adjourned.