Lexington Planning Board Continues 80 Bedford Street Hearing to August 19

LEXINGTON — June 24, 2026 — Lexington Planning Board continues hearing on 31-unit East Lexington apartment proposal, citing parking and stormwater gaps. The board voted 5-0 Wednesday to push the public hearing for the six-building village-style complex at 80 Bedford Street — proposed by owners James and Mary Johnson with architect Chris Johns of Thoughtcraft Architects — to August 19, directing the team to resolve stormwater documentation shortfalls and reconsider parking and open space before the next session. Peer reviewer Ben Minix of Eagle Brook Engineering flagged that the project's calculated total suspended solids removal of 80 percent falls short of the required 90 percent, that total phosphorus removal calculations were not submitted, and that infiltration system test pits were not located within the proposed chamber footprints — a concern given confirmed surface ledge on the site. Board members pressed the applicant to round up inclusionary units from 4.65 to five, add visitor parking, explore a play area for families in the courtyard, and assess whether 31 or more electric HVAC condensers could breach DEP noise limits for neighboring properties. Chair Robert Creech urged the applicant to "rethink Building F," the structure closest to abutter Tom McLean at 88 Bedford Street, calling visitor parking "essential" for the project to function in its no-on-street-parking location.