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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-12-LCC-min Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for meeting of March 12, 2020, 8:30 am Parker Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts Center Committee: Michael Boudett, Richard Brown, Frederic Johnson, Howard Levin, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela Shadley Liaisons: Jill Hai, Select Board, Casey Haggerty, Economic Development, David Pinsonneault, Department of Public Works, Dawn McKenna, Tourism Guests: Charles Hornig (Planning Board, on his own behalf) Dave Pinsonneault gave the DPW update: the infrastructure for the electric car charging stations off Muzzey Street and the Depot lot is in place and the stations should be up and running in three to four weeks. Eversource will send the usage information to DPW. Holiday lights are coming down this week and flagpole lights will go up the week of March 27. (That's a weird date but that's what I wrote down.) The Streetscape Project goes out to bid this fall. We will have a 100% design plan this summer. DPW will hold meetings with business owners and the LCC after the contractor is selected. Streetlights are being switched out all over town, (except for the Center because those lights will be replaced within the Streetscape Project) this should be complete by May 31. Priority is getting the lights up, then make adjustments. Casey Haggerty gave the Economic Development update: Compass Realty is going in where Coldwell Banker went out at 25 Waltham Street. Omar's is considering going into the old Vinebrook Tavern space. Omar's is looking to offer food, and virtual gaming. We noted that Lexington Place (Omar's current space) is not part of the Center Business District so Omar's current space is not subject to bank and real estate restrictions. La Dolda is moving along towards completion. Bank of America is in the final stages of their reconstruction. CC members hoped that lighting in the parking area would be improved. Sadly there is no current interest in either the old Goodfeet or Hair Cuttery space. A bakery is moving into the old Dunkin Donuts space on Edison Way. Enterprise Bank opened at 76 Bedford Street. CC members opined that the signage is "really bad." The Visitors Center is on schedule for occupancy on April 6. The grand opening is scheduled for April 15. Mike Boudett gave the update on Center Zoning Articles for Town Meeting. The Planning Board supported the changes unanimously. The Center Committee voted 8 to 0 to support the current version of Article 38. The Center Committee voted 8 to 0 to approve the minutes of the February, 13, 2020 meeting. Charles Hornig discussed his Citizen's Petition Article 45 regarding setbacks between commercial and residential properties. There are a few examples in the Center. The Select Board is still in negotiations with the Historical Society for the triangle shaped property in the CVS lot that could be used for part of the bike node. This might be ready in time for Town Meeting. The Select Board voted to have the Police Station remain in its current location. The HDC approved full demolition of the Police Station and moving the Hosmer House to another location. Howard Levin gave his thoughts on the retail mix in the Center. Howard observed that we should be looking at the retail and restaurant mix, and try to find ways to improve that. In particular, we currently have a lack of casual American style dining options. The Vinebrook Tavern and Bulpan spaces may be opportunities to diversify the mix. Dawn McKenna suggested that the Center needs a New England style tavern and more retail in the Center which would be beneficial to residents and attract and better support tourism. We should be reaching out to restaurants to come into Vine Brook. It would be helpful to meet with the owner of the Vine Brook space. We ended with a general discussion of goal setting and bringing this to the Select Board.