Ms. Dube's opinion piece tries to create a parallel situation between this proposed development and Concord's Colonial Inn, but this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The Colonial Inn is located in the middle of Concord town center, and has been operated as a hotel since 1889. The hotel complex that Ms. Perez Kennealy is proposing for Mass Ave is situated in a residentially-zoned parcel that abuts wetlands. The homeowners who bought in this area expected that they were purchasing their families a home in a residential, abeit busy, neighborhood. They did NOT expect to have part of their residential neighborhood rezoned to commercial space with a restaurant and bar created within feet of where their kids play. The scope of the proposed development is totally inappropriate for this family-oriented residential neighborhood.

I don't like to assess the proposal for a new Inn in terns of "us" (Lexingtonians) vs. "them" (Concordians). However Ms. Dube's point -- regarding what Lexington might benefit from an Inn and restaurant, in the historic district -- is well-taken. When my husband and I were about to marry (in Lexington at First Parish) we wished, dearly, for a local, charming Inn for our guests to stay in. There were none to be found.

When visitors come to town, they look for some of the charm and pleasure that a residence, offering graceful, personal accommodations can offer. Thank goodness we have the Liberty Ride; thank goodness we have such wonderful historical homes for them to visit (I speak of the Buckman Tavern, the Hancock-Clarke House, and the Munroe Tavern).

And surely having another small, fine dining establishment couldn't hurt, either. I don't accept the "not in my back yard" argument. This town is blessed with a significant amount of green space, playgrounds, recreational facilities, and a vibrant network of neighborhoods. We have been short on local visitor accommodations and other amenities that might draw more people to our historic and lovely town. And I do believe, in this town of 30,000, that there is room for both.

Phil and Deb, thank you for these valuable comments. Deb, I agree, the "us" versus "them" is a bit divisive and perhaps I should have said I love visiting Concord, the Alcott house and Walden Pond.I enjoy the center and have had a few dinners at the Colonial Inn. The bottom line, for me anyway, is that I pay taxes here -- not in Concord and would prefer to support Lexington rather than send tourists or visitors to another town.

Ms. Dubé’s “article” is about as one-sided a piece of commentary as I have read on Patch. In town committee meetings at which Ms. Perez Keneally presented her development plans (Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation, Center Committee, Historic Districts) support has hardly been unanimous, with members raising questions about the scope and appropriateness of the project. Her proposal for a 22-room hotel, 54-seat restaurant, a bar/lounge with seating for 28, and parking lots surrounding the original Dana Home goes far beyond what is acceptable for a residential neighborhood. Of course the neighbors support occasional and enjoyable events like concerts, but we are talking here about a 24/7 business! There are many concerns about noise, traffic and safety, and let’s not forget the loss of green space with parking lots right up to Mass Ave, an incredible eyesore for tourists and residents alike. Moreover, the Colonial Inn in Concord town center is not an appropriate comparison – I suggest readers look at the Concord’s Hawthorne Inn, a medium-sized bed & breakfast which has earned kudos from Frommer’s and Forbes as one of the very best in New England. If a small inn is what we want, that is the model to follow. As a member of our Tourism Committee, I support and work hard on our efforts to make Lexington a great destination for tourists, but this is not an appropriate setting for a big hotel, restaurant & bar.

I dare say that 22 rooms does not make a "big hotel.". As a frequent visitor to your town, I am tired of staying in BIG hotels in Waltham, Boston, and Lowell. How wonderful it would be to get a true sense of Lexington by staying in Lexington. What a great idea to offer something "within eyesight of the Battle Green" and other town treasures!

As someone who lives in the neighborhood in question, I welcome the proposed plan for an inn and restaurant. I knew that living in/near Lexington Center was going to be busy, or else I would have bought a house somewhere else. I love being able to walk to downtown Lexington, and I think visitors will feel the same way.

I am not afraid of "more" traffic because of an inn on the corner of Worthen and Mass Ave, which is by nature a busy street. Maybe the only negative thing I can think of is a large parking lot right off Mass Ave. As long as the parking plan is done in a thoughtful way, I am not totally against it.

I've read the comments about the plan being beyond what is acceptable for a residential neighborhood. Forgive me, but I've never really considered that block purely residential anyway, since it is shared with the church, the local grocery store, a new retail building, along with single family homes (some historic) as well as apartments. I do not think an inn would take away from the residential nature of that block.

In reality, our downtown area lacks an inn which is vital for the retail establishments now that the Battle Green Inn is gone. Sure we have hotels in the area, but none of those can be considered convenient to the downtown retail establishments and historic attractions. I think this proposed inn in a great idea, and I support it!

Just my two cents...as a neighbor.

Henry Liu - Forest Street

It is quite disturbing to see from the comments of Mr. Liu that he is unaware of the actual plans being put forth for the large-scale commercialization of the historic Dana Home and the adjacent residence at 2013 Mass. Ave. This is understandable since Ms. Kennealy's true plans for a public bar, restaurant and hotel complex - as presented recently to the Board of Selectmen, the Historic Districts Commission, and the Wetlands Conservation Committee - don't quite match the small, cozy, genuine Inn that has been described and that most residents would welcome.

As a 20-year resident on Mass. Ave. with my wife and three young children, I strongly oppose the creation of a commercial island in the middle of our family neighborhood and adjacent to a nice size stand of trees and wetlands that in no way connect to the Stop & Shop commercial zone mentioned by Mr. Liu. I urge all of our friends and neighbors to consider Ms. Kennealy's current plans for replacing half the green area on the two properties with blacktop parking lots as inappropriate with long term negative consequences for the adjacent wetlands. In addition, I also urge all our friends and neighbors to consider that a public bar and restaurant with a 60-seat capacity open long hours each day - is not the tourist destination we all might hope for.

Doug Hobbs - 1998 Mass. Ave. across from the Dana Home

Off the topic of the proposed Inn, but for us "older" citiizens...us vs them, dates back to the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry...before LHS vs BHS, it was always Lexington vs Concord....and BTW, the first shot was in Lexington!

Cuteness, old world charm, aside, there are some serious issues with the current plan. I agree with the comments that express concern about the "inn". First, it is not an inn but a hotel (according to Lexington regulation, e.g. more than 15 rooms - the plan is for 22 rooms). Second, the scale is out of proportion to the site and not in line with Lexington By-laws, e.g., there are too few parking spaces for the size of the establishment. Third, the plan proposes to "take over" existing Lexington wetlands in order to expand parking - not acceptable. Fourth, it puts a bar in a residential neighborhood - this is not comparable to Concord, and it is a very bad precedent for Lexington. Fifth, it would require redistricting a residential neighborhood parcel and exacerbate traffic on an important and busy street. Unless these sorts of concerns can be addressed thoughtfully and completely, this plan is a non-starter to this Lexingtonian.