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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12-DAC-min Lexington Design Advisory Committee Minutes from May 12, 2026 Attendance: Ian Adamson, Josh Aisenberg, Chris Johns, Danit Netzer, Steven Vincent. Introduction of new member Josh Aisenberg and all members present. Reviewed Plans for the following developments ○ 131 Hartwell Ave. ○ 439 Marrett Road ○ 114 Wood Street Given that we already reviewed and made comments on 439 Marrett Road and 114 Wood Street in previous meetings, our committee only took notes for submission to the Planning Board on 131 Hartwell Road. 131 Hartwell Road comments: ● This is a massive development with 290 units. The sheer size of the development raises concerns about aesthetics, and how its addition affects the surrounding neighborhood including traffic and overcrowding at local schools. ● A traffic study should be conducted on the intersection of Hartwell Ave and Bedford Street given that at least four new large developments are going up near that intersection. ● Compared to other large multi-family developments, we found this one better than others aesthetically in terms of efforts made to break-up the large massing. The use of different materials, colors and scale shows an attempt to “carve up” the large facades and create visual separations. ● The omission of brick in the back of the building, while stark, appears to be part of the effort to make visual distinction and break up the massing. ● On the side of the building the brick on the facade seems sparse and arbitrary. We feel it would be better if the brick was continued all the way to the ground rather than appearing to float. ● We noted the use of fiber cement and have some concerns over the use of that material. ● We request that a school bus pick up location be added to the site given the large number of 2-3 bedroom units which will likely house school-age children. Given the access road does not wrap around the building, we assume the school bus pick up will take place on Harwell Ave and therefore needs to be better understood in terms of its effect on traffic flow. Next the committee reviewed and edited a letter to the Planning Board about future developments. This letter is still being worked out for future submission. The meeting was adjourned.