HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-13-LCC-min Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting of February 13th, 2020. Parker Room, 1625 Massachusetts
Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Center Committee Members: Michael Boudett, Richard Brown, Katherine Huang,
Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (chair), Pamela
Shadley.
Liaisons: Bob Creech, Planning Board, Frank Smith, Capital Expenditures Committee
Guests: Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging
Jerry gave the Economic Development update: There are four vacancies in the Center.
Construction at The Bank of America is almost done. The Visitors Center is back on
schedule and the grand opening will take place on April 151h. Parking by Visitors Center
workers has been problematic but that is going to end soon, one way or the other. As
for the name change to the Lexington Information Center (supported by this
Committee) that has not been determined by the Select Board. The Town is seeking a
corporate sponsor for Zagster. Jerry noted sign for the "Wing Squad" at Bertucci's.
There was some discussion as to what exactly is this. It seems to be an app that arranges
pickup of wings at participating restaurants. The sign seems to be out of compliance
with our understanding of what is permitted. The HDC has jurisdiction. The consensus,
articulated by Mike is that we are not necessarily opposed to this use in the Center as it
is important that businesses be allowed to change their retail strategy so as to grow and
stay in business.
Bob Creech discussed Warrant article 38, proposed by the Planning Board. Art. 38
would broaden the definition of financial services to include investment services and
mortgage brokerages so that these uses would require a special permit in order to be
located in a Center storefront. The purpose is to keep these office usages out of potential
retail spaces. The Committee wholeheartedly supports this element. However, a
provision regarding "services provided to a person in a car" caught us by surprise. As
a Committee we just don't know enough about this to opine on it in a formal way. The
concern is that this provision would be overbroad. Fred thought this might be
problematic at Town Meeting as well. Mike is going to summarize our thoughts on this
article and forward it to Jerry. There as a wide-ranging discussion about the proposed
by laws. Sheila Page of the Planning Department let us know that there is no definition
of "office" in the by-laws. The Planning Board's public hearing on this article has
closed.
Referring specifically to the zoning table: H.105 we support as proposed; H. 106 we
support leaving it alone; and H. 107 we support taking it out. We oppose adding
proposed H. 203.
The Center Committee voted 7 to 0 to approve the January 2020 minutes.