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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-14-LBAC-minTown of LexingtonBicycle Advisory Committee 14 January 2021 / 7:00 PM / Via Zoom ATTENDEES Members: Kevin Falcone, Omar Khudari, Betty Gau, Mike Tabaczynski, Bob Hausslein, Jim Cadenhead, Peggy Enders, George Gagliardi Member Absent: Matthias Beebe Also Attending: Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison),Ross Morrow (DPW), Susan Barrett (Human Services), Ram Reddy NOTES Meeting called to order at 7:06 PM. December meeting minutes approved unanimously Hartwell Rezoning: Currently, the bicycle parking proposal is just to comply with existing Town Bylaws. Bicycle and pedestrian pathways “should connect to local recreation assets… wherever feasible.” Peggy:the vision for this rezoning is to appeal to Life Sciences companies.Alternative transportation is not part of the vision. Richard: There are 4 separate processes occurring over the next 4 months with opportunities for bicycle advocates to speak up and influence. First is zoning. Town meeting already passed the zoning, which is a corporate giveaway. Spring Town Meeting will consider additional zoning, which will put a few limitations on what was already passed. There is a February 4 public meeting. Proposals have to be advertised by February 1st to be considered. Newspaper deadline for that was yesterday.There will be a draft revision to the transportation rules in a few weeks. The best opportunity to advocate for bike-friendly rules is in the drafting of the “T-MOD,” which modifies the base rules for the new zoning. Look at section 176-10.2 of the town regulations and section 176.9.7.8.You probably want to propose changes there. The third is the 25% design for the transportation infrastructure. Bob Peters will be the Planning Board representative to that committee. They look at the public’s policy concerns. The town will want to focus on roadway, rather than pedestrian, bicycle,or transit infrastructure. No meetings of the committee are scheduled yet. When they meet, you better speak up. Peggy: we should get a Bike Committee member on the 25% design committee. Richard: Fourth is the Comprehensive Plan.There will be another round of public participation in the spring. Because staff has turned over and there is a new consultant, bicycle advocates will need to speak up again. Peggy: the new Comprehensive Plan was originally supposed to include a bicycle plan, but plans changed. Jim: should we try to partner with the Sustainability Committee to add strength to our voice. Susan: Council on Aging also wants more walking and biking infrastructure, better shoveling.Safe Routes also is gung-ho for alternative transportation. Sustainable Lexington, Transportation Advisory Committee, Greenways Commitee, Global Warming Action Committee. Richard: GWAC and Sustainability are super-focused on electric vehicles. Someone should convince them to include biking, walking and transit. Omar: Is it too late to get a bicycle plan included in the Comprehensive Plan? Richard: you need to get the town to designate a bicycle coordinator. Liaisons: Susan: State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo is coming to the next Transportation Advisory Committee meeting 2/9/2021 7PM. We are planning Lex Lights the Night, Friday, March 12 and Friday November 5. Because of Covid, it will be grab-and-go package of bike lights and reflective tape and other stuff. We will offer choice of bike pack, ped pack or combo pack. We plan to do a Bike Smart and a Bike Rodeo in May. Getting enthusiastic feedback from parents, who predict 5,000 will show up. Will need help assembling the kits. Planning meeting on January 29. Kevin: MassBike will “celebrate” biking in May, but will hold Bay State Bike Month in September. They will need volunteers. Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM. ACTION ITEMS 1.Kevin will write letter to Select Board about need for Bicycle Coordinator. 2.Peggy will send League of American Bicyclists Lexington report card to committee. 3.Susan will send email about Lex Lights the Night Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways The Treasurer’s report was given. There may be more snow-plowing, but probably no more than $2,500. Peggy spoke with the DPW about FoLB donating a water-bottle filler (about $4,000); Dave Pinsonneault suggested best location would be behind Depot. Bikeway Guidelines reviewed and approved. Peggy will take it from there.