HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-15-LCC-min
MINUTES
Lexington Center Committee
Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Room G-15, Town Office Building
In attendance:
Pam Lyons, Jerry Michelson (chair), Richard Brown, Pam Shadley, Fred
Johnson, Pam Shadley, Peter Siy, Howard Levin, Jeff Lyons, George Burnell, Wendy Manz,
Francine Stieglitz, Brianna Olson, Susan Yanofsky
Meeting Called to Order:
8:00 a.m.
Agenda:
1.) Programmatic/Physical Infrastructure vision statements; 2.) presentation on
Center parking management recommendations; 3.) South side bike rack request;
4.) Conservation Stewards educational decals
1.) Programmatic/Physical Infrastructure vision statements: Howard Levin presented the
Programmatic Subcommittee Vision Statement; Pam Shadley presented t Physical Infrastructure
Subcommittee Vision Statement and Physical Infrastructure Subcommittee Suggested Short-
Term Improvements. The two vision statements were discussed; key points of the discussion are
as follows:
1.There was general agreement between the two vision statements, showing that there is a
shared vision of the Center among Committee members.
2.Other committees and regional groups, such as the MAPC, 2020 Vision, the 2005 Center
charette, and the Scenic Byway Master Plan, are also working on local and regional
visions for Lexington. While the Center Committee should restrict its scope to the
Center, these processes and master plans should be taken into consideration as well.
3.While the Center Committee charge is out of date, it should remain separate from the
vision statement for the Center.
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Action taken: Discussion tabled, to be revisited at the September 16 meeting after a discussion
with George Burnell
2.) Presentation on Center parking management recommendations: Jason Schrieber, Nelson
Nygaard
Jason presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the status of parking in Lexington Center
(e.g. availability, utilization) and recommendations for maximizing parking in Lexington Center.
His draft recommendations are as follows:
Treat parking as a system: Coordinated Revenue Management (reveal, share, and maybe
consolidate off-street and on-street revenues)
Create availability where it’s needed most: Performance-Based Pricing (higher hourly
price on Mass Ave & Waltham, lower in Waltham & library lots, lowest in attended and
Town Hall lots)
Welcome rather than penalize customers: Lengthened Time-Limits (minimum of 4 hours
on-street, 8 hours or no limit off-street)
Make it easier to find parking: Improved Signing, Way finding and Information Program
(additional historical signs at key locations directing to lots, new signs for walking from
lots, wider dissemination of parking map on websites)
Breaking down barriers to increase supply: Establishment of Shared Parking Fund
(dedication of parking revenue and possible in-lieu fees to municipal leases of private
lots, enabling removal of fences and increase in overall supply)
Improve access and walk time to remote spaces: Longer-Term Walking Improvements
(re-arrange CVS and Waltham lots for circulation and safety, improve access to
consolidated private lots, consider bike path re-alignment or better crossings interfaces,
add Mass Ave. crossing islands & visual narrowing)
Key points of the ensuing discussion are as follows:
1.Upon receiving the final report, the Center Committee will discuss the best strategy for
implementing the recommendations. Jason Schrieber suggested that changes be made
comprehensively in order to maximize their effect.
2.It is important to maintain contact with other committees, such as the Historic Districts
Commission and the Tourism Committee, as the process moves forward.
3.A meeting with Center businesses to discuss the findings and recommendations will be
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held Wednesday, August 11, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., at Cambridge Savings Bank. The
Center Committee is invited to attend as well.
4.Many of the physical infrastructure recommendations will be incorporated into the Center
Master Plan.
Action taken: None
South side bike rack request: Peggy Enders and Marita Hartshorn presented the Bicycle
Advisory Committee’s work on applying for MAPC grant monies to have additional bicycle
racks installed in the Center. Nine two-bicycle racks are being proposed along Massachusetts
Avenue and Muzzey Street (Bicycle Advisory Committee Proposed Bike Rack Locations,
Bicycle Advisory Committee Bike Rack Examples). Key points of the discussion are as follows:
1.There was concern that the proposed bike rack locations had not been discussed with
Center business tenants or landlords.
2.The Center Committee wholly supported the Bicycle Advisory Committee’s efforts to
bring additional bicycle racks into the Center.
3.Signage along the Minuteman Bikeway is key to ensuring bicyclists will stop and enter
the Center.
Action taken: Motion to support the installation of additional bicycle racks in Lexington Center
(Jeff Lyons, seconded by Dick Brown). Unanimously approved.
No additional items were discussed, nor actions taken.
Adjourn:
10:25 a.m. Prepared by BBO
Documents referenced (location):
Programmatic Subcommittee Vision Statement
Physical Infrastructure Subcommittee Vision Statement
Physical Infrastructure Subcommittee Suggested Short-Term Improvements
Bicycle Advisory Committee Proposed Bike Rack Locations
Bicycle Advisory Committee Bike Rack Examples