HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-16-DAC-minLexington Design Advisory Committee Minutes from June 16, 2026
Attendance: Ian Adamson, Josh Aisenberg, Chris Johns, Danit Netzer Steven Vincent, Hema
Bhatt, Minahj Kirmani.
Introduction of new member Adrianna Ramacciotti and went around the room for all members
present to make introductions.
Discussed the letter to the Planning Board and came to the following decisions:
• The current draft will be edited to a format similar to existing Planning Board checklists.
• Categories will be incorporated into existing categories when possible.
• Structure the letter by creating a list of topics on the sequential architectural design stages
and process.
Discussed the importance of getting the Planning Board to actually read and consider our
comments. Some suggestions included:
• Inviting Michael Schanbacher, Planning Board Liaison, to attend a meeting in the near
future to hear from him how the DAC can be more helpful.
• Add the DAC to the list of committees that are invited to meet developers and architects
when introducing a new development to Lexington.
• DAC members can and should attend Planning Board public meetings when projects are
discussed on which the DAC presented comments.
Discussion on 80 Bedford Street
Chris gave an introduction and explanation of the new development at 80 Bedford Street. After
which Chris left the meeting. The remaining members had the following comments on 80
Bedford Street:
Overall the committee had favorable things to say about the development including:
• Especially liked that the massing is not too large such that the plot is not maxed out.
• Felt the development reads like a collection of houses which relates well to the
surrounding neighborhood.
• Three to four floors was suitable for that plot and worked well as a transition from
commercial buildings to a residential neighborhood on Bedford Street.
• Liked that the buildings have three sides of window letting light and air into units.
• Liked the siding material of thermally modified pine that brings natural materials and a
continuity to surrounding trees and nature.
• Liked the stone on retaining wall and garage that brings additional natural material that is
suitable to surroundings and are in keeping with the local vernacular.
• The roof forms and pitch are also suitable with the surrounding neighborhood.
• The amenity spaces provide suitable and flexible spaces for tenants.
• The courtyard space is well thought out with a combination of hardscape and green space
dotted with native planting. As well as bike and walking paths.
• In its planned location, the courtyard offers privacy from the busy street while offering a
meeting area for neighbors as they enter and exit three of the buildings.
The pursuant discussion touched on concerns or suggestions for improvement as follows:
The relocated house reads as a very different and distinct structure in the design which to some,
felt like it presents a dual personality of a traditional house and distinctly modern aesthetics of
other buildings. Some members questioned the necessity of maintaining the house on site rather
than continuing the design of the modern forms with thermally modified pine siding. If the
house is left on site, one suggestion was to paint the house a different color so it blends or
compliments the other structures. Another suggestion was to continue the design elements of the
farmer's porch onto the modern structures or alternatively, to incorporate modern design
elements on the relocated house porch.
Exterior parking was a concern for food deliveries, emergency vehicles and trash pickup in the
event that all spots are full. The intended use of two parking spots in the fire truck turning area
was questioned.
A clear location for snow piles in event of snowstorms is a concern. The ability to clear snow in
the courtyard was another concern.
There was a suggestion to add a gym and interior sitting area that could be transformed into a
function room in the planned amenity spaces.
The following concerns were raised about the exterior materials and design:
• Would it make sense to change the pine material to standing seam roof material on the
4th floor in order to better blend the 4th floor with the roof pitch on side elevations?
• The continuation of aluminum roofing on the front facade was questioned and appeared
arbitrary while understanding that it was an effort to break up the front massing.
• Would a consideration be made to cover the concrete at the base of the back building with
retaining wall stone in order to have continuity of materials and a more polished finish?
The meeting was adjourned.