Chase Bank is seeking approval from Lexington's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to install a bank ATM center in the space where Good Feet was the former tenant. The ZBA will hear this case on Thursday, April 11, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room (1625 Mass Ave, 2nd floor). It is the 3rd item on the agenda for a meeting that starts at 7:00pm.
This hearing is open to the public and anyone who is concerned about additional prime retail space being used for banking should try to attend. Also - and especially if you cannot attend the meeting in person - add your name to this petition.
Chase's request is the first regarding bank use since Lexington's zoning bylaws were changed to restrict banking and real estate use in our town center. The issue at hand is that an ATM is still an allowable use. At the time the new bylaw was created, the feeling was 'how bad is a 15' frontage for a single ATM machine vs. 40' frontage of a bank?' However, Chase is proposing to utilize the entire 50' frontage with 2 machines inside. The building department determined that the proposal was a bank use instead of an ATM and the landlord is now appealing that decision.
Many retailers and concerned residents feel utilizing the entire space for bank use will diminish the unique character of this town. (We have more banks per capita than most towns in MA) In addition, banks will continue to drive rents higher, making it impossible for small business owners to establish a storefront here. Currently, Lexington storefront rents rival Newbury street.
Adding your name to this petition will help demonstrate to the Zoning Board of Appeals that you would like to limit retail space used for banking in Lexington center.
Please spread the word about the meeting and this petition.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 9, 2019
April 8, 2019
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gathered as I never imagined so many people cared about the future of our town center. This reaction belongs entirely to the residents who refuse to watch our storefronts disappear. Thank you for showing me that we really are in this together.
April 6, 2019
I honestly never thought one hundred people would take the time to sign this. Seeing this number makes me realize how much you all care about protecting our town center. This is completely unexpected and I am truly humbled by the response.
Reached 100 supporters
April 4, 2019
April 3, 2019
I am honestly overwhelmed by the number of you who have joined this effort to protect our town center. We are so close to reaching one hundred signatures and I truly believe this momentum belongs entirely to the community members who spoke up first. If you have been waiting to help us push past this milestone, now is the time to pass this along to a neighbor.
164 Comments
Please do not approve a special permit for this ATM in the center. The bank can very well place the ATM inside one of its existing buildings or at a drive-by slot in one of the other smaller commercial zones farther out.
I think prime retail real estate particular with a corner entrance on Mass Ave could be so much more than an ATM. I support keeping this retail space available for a non banking related use.
I am a supporter of the restrictions placed on new banks moving into the town center, and I do not believe that this multiple-ATM placement, which will utilize an entire retail storefront in an extremely high-profile, high-traffic location in the town center, should fall outside those rules.
I don't know how anyone can argue that an ATM is not a bank. We do not need another bank or other bank-like structure that will not encourage people to enjoy the Town center and spend time there.
One of the reasons we moved to Lexington 20 plus years ago was the appeal of the downtown. That appeal is already much waned lately because of the town's greedy landlords forcing out community businesses like restaurants and stores. It's almost too late but time to take a stand
This is really hurting our downtown!
This is an poor use of town center space, especially such a visible corner. Stores add to the appeal of the town, an ATM or bank will not.
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Chase Bank is seeking approval from Lexington's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to install a bank ATM center in the space where Good Feet was the former tenant. The ZBA will hear this case on Thursday, April 11, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room (1625 Mass Ave, 2nd floor). It is the 3rd item on the agenda for a meeting that starts at 7:00pm.
This hearing is open to the public and anyone who is concerned about additional prime retail space being used for banking should try to attend. Also - and especially if you cannot attend the meeting in person - add your name to this petition.
Chase's request is the first regarding bank use since Lexington's zoning bylaws were changed to restrict banking and real estate use in our town center. The issue at hand is that an ATM is still an allowable use. At the time the new bylaw was created, the feeling was 'how bad is a 15' frontage for a single ATM machine vs. 40' frontage of a bank?' However, Chase is proposing to utilize the entire 50' frontage with 2 machines inside. The building department determined that the proposal was a bank use instead of an ATM and the landlord is now appealing that decision.
Many retailers and concerned residents feel utilizing the entire space for bank use will diminish the unique character of this town. (We have more banks per capita than most towns in MA) In addition, banks will continue to drive rents higher, making it impossible for small business owners to establish a storefront here. Currently, Lexington storefront rents rival Newbury street.
Adding your name to this petition will help demonstrate to the Zoning Board of Appeals that you would like to limit retail space used for banking in Lexington center.
Please spread the word about the meeting and this petition.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 9, 2019
April 8, 2019
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gathered as I never imagined so many people cared about the future of our town center. This reaction belongs entirely to the residents who refuse to watch our storefronts disappear. Thank you for showing me that we really are in this together.
April 6, 2019
I honestly never thought one hundred people would take the time to sign this. Seeing this number makes me realize how much you all care about protecting our town center. This is completely unexpected and I am truly humbled by the response.
Reached 100 supporters
April 4, 2019
April 3, 2019
I am honestly overwhelmed by the number of you who have joined this effort to protect our town center. We are so close to reaching one hundred signatures and I truly believe this momentum belongs entirely to the community members who spoke up first. If you have been waiting to help us push past this milestone, now is the time to pass this along to a neighbor.
164 Comments
We need a diversity of small businesses in the Center, not more banks. Another consideration is that Lexington benefits when there is different kinds of stores and restaurants that will draw both tourists and residents to create a lively town center not a dead one.
Please do not approve a special permit for this ATM in the center. The bank can very well place the ATM inside one of its existing buildings or at a drive-by slot in one of the other smaller commercial zones farther out.
I think prime retail real estate particular with a corner entrance on Mass Ave could be so much more than an ATM. I support keeping this retail space available for a non banking related use.
I am a supporter of the restrictions placed on new banks moving into the town center, and I do not believe that this multiple-ATM placement, which will utilize an entire retail storefront in an extremely high-profile, high-traffic location in the town center, should fall outside those rules.
I don't know how anyone can argue that an ATM is not a bank. We do not need another bank or other bank-like structure that will not encourage people to enjoy the Town center and spend time there.
One of the reasons we moved to Lexington 20 plus years ago was the appeal of the downtown. That appeal is already much waned lately because of the town's greedy landlords forcing out community businesses like restaurants and stores. It's almost too late but time to take a stand
This is really hurting our downtown!
This is an poor use of town center space, especially such a visible corner. Stores add to the appeal of the town, an ATM or bank will not.
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We need a diversity of small businesses in the Center, not more banks. Another consideration is that Lexington benefits when there is different kinds of stores and restaurants that will draw both tourists and residents to create a lively town center not a dead one.