HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-09-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 9, 2004
The joint meeting of the Lexington Planning Board and the Lexington Center Committee held in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room., Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Harden
with members Galaitsis, Kastorf, Manz and planning staff Garber, McCall- Taylor, and Tap present. Mr.
Davies was absent. Lexington Center Committee members Mr. Jerome Smith, Mr. Fred Johnson, Mr.
Jerry Michelson, Ms. Daphne Politis, Ms. Joan Zahka, Mr. Howard Levin and Selectman liaison Richard
Pagett.
Mr. Harden welcomed the members of the Center Committee and described tonight's meeting as a follow -
up to Article 11, Center Parking, which the 2004 Town Meeting did not approve and an opportunity to
look at the vitality of Lexington Center in terms of immediate steps that could be taken to improve
accessibility and connectivity. He said that a series of joint meetings is envisioned that could lead to
producing a comprehensive plan with immediate action steps toward coherent long -term goals to improve
the center's economic life.
Individual introductions yielded the following views: the central business districts lacks attention; a vital
town center enhances a community's value in multiple ways; there are many and varied stakeholders in
the center; concern about center's messiness; in the last 3 1 /2 years the Center Committee has focused on
actions requiring no capital investment, such as the recent effort to improve the parking provisions of the
Zoning Bylaw and supporting legislation to allow smaller restaurants to obtain liquor licenses. The
committee has drawn on the many "legacy" studies and reports on Lexington Centex and recognizes that a
great deal of active listening must be done and that a public process is needed.
Mr. Garber told the group about a soon- to -be- available report being compiled by Taintor & Associates of
Newburyport using all of the relevant Center Business District data in Planning Department files, old and
new. It deals with center parking, zoning, dimensional constraints and the history of center planning. The
report will be provided to everyone so they have a chance to read it before the next joint meeting.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
Center Committee members raised some issues about forming a business improvement district, including
the source of funding, how a BID would be managed, the need to involve private landowners, the HDC
and DAC and the Town. Mr. Garber eased fears that a BID would have to use its funds for plowing or
security. The Town would continue to provide those services.
PARKING
Mrs. Manz, Mr. Levin, Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnson agreed to meet and discuss parking issues before the
next joint meeting set for July 21, 2004.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meet' g at 9:40 .m.
/ r
John L. Davies, Clerk