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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-07-GCC-min Greenways Corridor Committee (GCC) Meeting Notes 7 January 2021 Remote Meeting via Zoom Conferencing Tool Members Present Keith Ohmart (Chair) Eileen Entin Peggy Enders Alex Dohan Bob Hausslein Susan Kenyon Don Grant Mike Tabaczynski Mal Crawford Other Attendees Mark Sandeen (Select Board Liason) Francesca Pfrommer (Recreation Committee Liaison) The meeting began at 4:32 PM EST with the Chair reading the Open Meeting Law statutory rules that apply to remote meetings. • Approval of Meeting Notes for the 3 December 2020 Meeting of the Committee All nine Committee members present voted in favor of approving the Meeting Notes. • Liberty Ridge Trail Connector (Jefferson Drive) Status An early Spring construction start on the trail is possible once reviews are completed and approvals are given by the Select Boards of the Towns of Burlington and Lexington. • Takeda Property ACROSS Lexington Route H Trail Reroute The rerouting of a section of Route H in the Takeda easement area during summer construction work on the fire access road was found to have crossed private property. With construction work now completed the rerouted section of Route H will be moved back to its original location along the fire access road in the Takeda easement. • Hartwell Avenue Innovation Project A planning group is currently working on guidelines for traffic flow, rezoning, etc. studies associated with the project. The planning group is working toward a final meeting on 21 January 2021 to complete their work. The GCC Select Board Liaison (Mark Sandeen) recommended the GCC become involved in the planning process immediately to insure that pedestrian friendly and bicycling friendly features are included in the Hartwell Avenue planning process. The Chair (Keith Ohmart) will attend this evening's meeting of the Hartwell Avenue planning group and submit a statement from the GCC supporting the inclusion Rev. - 18 January 2021 1 of pedestrian friendly and bicycling friendly features in the design guidelines. Reference would be made to the West Greenway Master Plan of 2011 that included features to encourage foot and bicycle use in the area. • Approval of a Letter of Support for Pedestrian Friendly and Bicycling Friendly Features in the Hartwell Avenue Design Guidelines All nine Committee members present voted in favor of approving the drafting of a letter to be submitted to the Hartwell Avenue Innovation Project planning group to support the inclusion of pedestrian friendly and bicycling friendly features in their design guidelines. (A copy of the letter is attached.) • Approval of the 2021 Statement of Goals for the GCC. All nine Committee members present voted in favor of approving the 2021 Statement of Goals incorporating minor editing changes that were discussed. (A copy of the edited Statement of Goals is attached.) • Wayfinding Sign Project Status GCC member Mike Tabaczynski presented a prototype design for the support posts and graphics at a previous meeting. The goal is to start installation of the signs in the second half of the year once permission has been received from property owners or managers to install the signposts. • Planning Priorities Review The Lexington Conservation Stewards and the Town Conservation Commission will review the list of recommended ACROSS Lexington trail projects for inclusion in the Conservation Capital Planning Priorities List. The review meeting is planned for 25 January 2021. • Approval of a Motion to Adjourn All nine Committee members present voted in favor of adjourning the Meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM EST. Respectfully submitted by, Mal Crawford, GCC Member Rev. - 18 January 2021 2 Statement of Goals January 2021 Ongoing • Create value added enhancements such as the Wayfinding Signs project. • Establish ACROSS Lexington routes within one half mile of every house in Lexington. • Monitor property development for inclusion of pedestrian/bicycle path easements. • Create connections with trail systems in neighboring communities. • Promote awareness and use of the ACROSS Lexington system. Future • Create, or make arrangements for an archival system to permanently store original artwork and other documents for various ACROSS Lexington projects • Pursue the Community Center Connector Environmental Bond Bill earmark. • Establish a mechanism to ensure ongoing maintenance of the integrity of the ACROSS Lexington route system and signage in the event of the dissolution of the Greenways Corridor Committee. • Complete the West Lexington Greenway Master Plan route concept as a single track trail network. • Collaborate with other Town Committees (e.g. Bicycle Advisory Committee, Traffic Safety Group) and Town Departments (e.g. Conservation Department, Recreation Department)to advocate for a more walkable and bikeable community. Rev. - 18 January 2021 3 January 7, 2021 To: Amanda Loomis, Planning Director Re: Hartwell Avenue Draft Zoning Proposal At the January 7 meeting of the Greenways Corridor Committee the drafting of the following motion was unanimously approved for submission for addition to the Hartwell Avenue Draft Zoning Bylaw: Motion: That guidelines for prioritizing the development of infrastructure to enhance walkability and bike-ability including the development of an off-street trail network connecting to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and businesses along Hartwell Avenue north and south of the Bikeway be included in the proposed Draft Zoning Bylaw. Development of said infrastructure would not only enhance sustainable transportation options and but would provide passive recreational amenities for the area's employees and residents. Said development would build on initial design work proposed for this area in the West Lexington Greenway Master Plan commissioned by the Town in 2011. Submitted by Keith Ohmart, Chair Greenways Corridor Committee CC. Jim Malloy Carol Kowalski Sanya Iyer Karen Mullins Mark Sandeen, Select Board liaison Charles Hornig, Planning Board liaison Francesca Pfrommer, Recreation Committee liaison Rev. - 18 January 2021 4