HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-14-PB-minPLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 14, 2002
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Clarice Middle School Library was called to
order at 7.05 p.m. by Vice Chairman Harden with Sara Chase, and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor,
Tap and Machek present. Mr. Galaitsis, Mr. Davies and Mr. Kastorf were absent. Also present were Mr.
Howard Muise, Ms. Susan Sloan - Rossiter, Mr. Galeeb Kachra and Mr. William Cranshaw, consultants,
Vanasse, Hangen and Brustlin as well as members of the Transportation Element Advisory Group and
other interested residents: Mr. Donald G.rabam, .Mrs. Elaine Dratch, Ms. Wendy Manz, Ms. Gail Wagner,
Mr. William Levison, Mr. Michael Young, Mr. Larry Belvin, Mr. Ed Ganshirt, Mr. Peter Brierc, Mr.
Charles Kalauskas, and Mr. Michael Scluoeder.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Transportation Element, Fourth Workshop Ms. Gail Wagner, Lexington Transportation Coordinator,
gave a brief history of transportation demand management resources in Lexington, including Lexpress,
the senior chair car service, (municipal parking lots), the John Eddison bike path, FISH (Friendly, Instant
Sympathetic Help) drivers and connections to the MBTA system, acknowledging the price tag
accompanying each program. She said that the Lexpress bus system, one of the few municipal bus
systems in the state, has served the town for 23 years. Though it has sometimes struggled, ridership
increased in. 2002. Elaine Dratch and Donald Graham were instrumental in its creation. It was cautioned
that satisfying commuter needs should not endanger Lexpress's service to neighborhoods.
Ms. Wagner also described shuttle bus service efforts among Lexington and Route 128 businesses. The
Route 128 Business Council has sponsored a shuttle from Alewife to area businesses for more than a
decade. A. similar Hartwell Avenue shuttle did not survive.
Mr. Cranshaw listed categories of potential improvements to deal with inbound, outbound and local
traffic.
Regional Service Improvements
Connections to MBTA service were discussed. The basic operating premise with the T is that it is Boston-
centric with few resources for satisfying suburb -and exurb to- suburb commuting needs. Ms. Wagner
noted that there is now a Lexpress connection with the Waltham/Lexington Street MBTA bus route.
Some participants thought that extending westward Route 77 bus service to Harvard Square, and
increasing the frequency of routes 62 and 76 to Bedford from Alewife, would serve Lexington well. It
was noted that a service benefiting two towns has higher priority with the MBTA.
Ms. Sloan - Rossiter discussed the results of the survey taken at the previous workshop. The topic was:
What would it take to get you to use an alternative to your car for commuting. Frequency and reliability
of service were top requirements. Mr. Cranshaw suggested that the Town should expect to apply for
public money to improve services. Lexington's already strong TDM policy was noted as a distinct
advantage vis a vis grant applications. The enforcement of its provisions was seen as a top goal. As well,
Board of Appeals decisions that counter TDM goals are problematic and should be addressed in the
Infrastructure Improvements
Retrofitting commercial zones to make them transit friendly was seen as a very high priority but also as
very expensive. "It all begins with your feet" was a statement that struck a chord with the group.
Sense of Priorities
Address exurb to suburb commuting needs with links to existing regional transportation systems
Encourage bicycle and pedestrian modes
Minutes for the Meeting of November 14, 2002
Design and implement a public education campaign.
Think creatively to institute financial or other incentives to use public transportation
The Town should be an exemplar of TDM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15p.m.
Sara Chase, Acting Clerk
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