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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-23-LBAC-min ,.Item of I1...exiiintein Bicycle AdvisoryCommittee 23 July 2020 7:00 113M / Via Zooimlm ATTENDEES Members and liaisons: Kevin Falcone, Omar Khudari , Betty Gau, Robert Hausslein, Mike Tabaczynski , Matthias Beebe, Joe Pato (Select Board) , Mark Sandeen (Select Board) , Richard Canale (Planning Board) , Sgt. Paul Callahan (Police) , Ross Morrow (Public Works) Non Committee Members: Jim Cadenhead Meeting called to order at 7:10 PM. NOTES • Meeting notes from February meeting approved unanimously • Minuteman Bikeway Guidelines • Our committee drafted guidelines in September 2011 that never got adopted by Select Board. • Need to review them now, edit and resubmit. • Discussion of what group size should need Special Event Permit. • Paul: Roughly 22 special event requests happen in town per year • Discussion of business advertising sign guidelines near the bike path. Also, which board to go to for approval. • Minuteman Bikeway Map • Discussion of "Bikeway Guidelines" on map • Discussion of what to say about ebikes, and about riding at a safe speed. • Sgt. Callahan: 0 23 bike accidents in 2020 so far 0 2 accidents this week (will get more info about Mass Ave at Grant St) 0 6 involved the Minuteman Bikeway • Ross Morrow • Looking for funding for several Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons at crosswalks • Redesigned crosswalk on Grant St. • Mass Ave at Worthen intersection being redesigned. • Streets here and there will be closed for paving • Mass DOT added bike lanes to Waltham St at Rt 2 on their own • Richard Canale • On August 12, the Planning Board will meet to review the site plan for 1050 Waltham St. Possibly will add bike lanes to more of Waltham St. It would be good if the Bike Committee would write a letter of support. • Arlington, Lexington, Bedford, Lincoln, and Concord asked Federal government for "Scenic Byway" designation for entire battle road. • Proposed 20 mph speed limit on Mass Ave in Lexington Center • Kevin: Safe Routes to School is now under Susan Barrett ACTION ITEMS 1. Kevin will write a letter of support for Waltham St 2. Kevin will reach out to Town Manager's office about current system for special event requests Meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. Request for Bikeway Commercial Signage Policy The Bicycle Advisory Committee is frequently contacted regarding signage (particularly advertising signage) on the Minuteman Bikeway (often referenced as the Jack Eddison Bikeway in Town bylaws). There has been a standard that signage of non-commercial and non-political nature is permitted by the Select Board after review of the signs. There is no current process for commercial signage on the Bikeway, and East Lexington has recently seen an increase in sandwich boards. Signs that violate the Right of Way of the Bikeway often endanger runners (who run on the gravel beside the path) or cyclists. We believe that commercial signage is important for notifying Bikeway users of businesses near the bikeway. There has been previous signage (based on the Toole report ( ttp.//minutemanbi ewa .or /wp-content/uploa s/2015/12/ aviaatin ®the® inuteman-Commut er-Bikewav July 211. ) added to the standard Bikeway signage. There is also an appropriation (2016 ATM - Article 8i (CPA)) for a Kiosk at various points on the Bikeway to inform and educate users of both rules of the bikeway as well as nearby businesses to support. Work funded by this appropriation was expected to begin in the Fall of 2020. ( ttps:// lexin tonmagov/sites/ /files/vyli31//u loads/c c22 re ort. ) We don't believe that the Bicycle Advisory Committee is the correct committee to determine standard rules and regulations for commercial signage on the bikeway. We ask that the Select Board request the Economic Development Office of Lexington investigate current usages and produce regulations and permits for signage so there is consistency among users and an understood process for being visible on the Bikeway without detracting from the appearance and safe use of the Bikeway. This could be based in part on the current process for Sandwich Boards throughout the Town (Event signage ttps://w lexingtonma. ov/sites/ /files/vy li 1//uploads/sandwich boards - regulations and aDDlication® roceure - fillabla.pdf Commercial Signage). We make ourselves available to the Economic Development Office to assist with the history and rules / regulations we are aware of regarding safe use of the Right of Way of the Bikepath. Go Out Doors--Lexington Proposed project: • A public art project whereby local artists will be commissioned to paint old doors with artistic designs, which will then be installed in a suitable public space, ideally along the Minuteman Bikeway, where it can be enjoyed by the community in a socially distanced manner. Location is TBD (suggestions welcome). • This project will dovetail with a similar project underway in Concord entitled "Go Out Doors." (https://theumbrellaarts.org/arts-environment/go-out-doors). The initial phase of the Concord project is installed along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (a local bikeway) and has a theme that is associated with "celebrating nature, our senses and outdoor activity," but we are not bound to follow suit. Concord is planning three additional installations. Photos of some of the Concord doors: Purpose: To bring a spark of art and culture into the lives of our residents,promote tourism, and add to the enjoyment users of the Bikeway. Members of our community who are eager to experience art firsthand, yet who are reluctant to venture into the closed space of a museum, will appreciate the opportunity to partake of art in an outdoor environment. This project will also support local artists, whose ability to show work has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Collaboration opportunity: In addition to Concord, Arlington is planning similar"Go Out Doors" installations, the first of which will be at the Arlington Visitor's Center along the Bikeway, and there will be at least one additional installation along the Bikeway. This project will present an opportunity to collaborate with Concord, Arlington, and possibly other nearby towns, in a region-wide art project that will enrich the cultural lives of residents and promote tourism and economic development. Concord has expressed an interest in engaging in cross- promotion with other towns undertaking "Go Out Doors," and we assume Arlington will be interested in this as well. Funding and implementation: The Lexington Council for the Arts will dedicate part of its budget to fully fund the initial phase of the project(the fall installation). If additional installations are desired for the spring, additional funding will be needed. The Lexington Council for the Arts, with assistance from Cristina Burwell at the Munroe Center for the Arts will implement the project. Volunteers to assist are welcome! Approvals: We will be seeking Select Board approval as soon as feasible (the earlier the project is installed, the more time the community will have to enjoy it before the onset of winter. The Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee supports the installation of the Lexington Council for the Arts "Go Out Doors" exhibit along the Minuteman Bikeway. We have provided several suggested locations that are safely distant from the bikeway with space for people to enjoy the installations.