Sarah - It was my understanding that once the new zoning is in place, if the town so votes, any proposed development still requires approval by Town Meeting. The big change is that the proposed development would need only a majority rather than a 2/3 super-majority to pass. Ruth Ann -----Original Message----- From: Sara Mattes Sent: Mar 27, 2022 8:23 PM To: Sasha Golden Cc: Lincoln Talk * Subject: [LincolnTalk] Housing Choice act and misunderstandings...and Flint's record OK-I am going to weigh in here as I have been “attending “ most the meeting about this.It is called the Housing CHOICE Act for a reason. It is NOT a mandate. There has been a lot of confusion around this. I asked Town Counsel, directly, if there was any real requirement, and any penalty for not adopting the zoning bylaw as drafted. He said-“no mandate, no penalty, other than not being eligible for certain funding.” Here is a link to the legislation. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities#what-is-the-new-requirement?- So, while the word “requirement” is used, it is only a requirement if you want to access certain funds. "(b) An MBTA community that fails to comply with this section shall not be eligible for funds from: (i) the Housing Choice Initiative as described by the governor in a message to the general court dated December 11, 2017; (ii) the Local Capital Projects Fund established in section 2EEEE of chapter 29; or (iii) the MassWorks infrastructure program established in section 63 of chapter 23A.” We have yet to hear a case for the necessity of these funds to achieve Lincoln’s goals. The bylaw, as currently drafted, removes the decision-making regarding major redevelopment in the transit zone from the hands of the Town Meeting, and puts it in then hands of essentially 3 people (a majority of the Planning Board). And, the current draft of the legislation would require a minimum of 750 units in this zone. The Town website has a number of meetings recorded that discuss this. Finally, I am scratching my head a bit when you state Mr.Flint as characterizing the Planning Board as having a “pro-development” position. Where do you find that in his words? It seems to me, given the track-record he laid out, he has been involved in a lot of development and re-development in Lincoln! ------Sara Mattes
On Mar 27, 2022, at 6:02 PM, Sasha Golden wrote: Hello, Mr. Flint: You note that you are opposed to what you characterize as the Planning Board's "pro-development" position. How do you propose to address the new state mandate to allow the construction of hundreds of housing units? On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 3:46 PM Debra Daugherty wrote: Hello Mr. Flint, Could you please tell us a bit more about the direction you would take the Planning Board and how that is different from the direction it is currently headed in? There are two seats open on the Board and two incumbents running for re-election for those seats. Presumably you are running because you believe we need to head in a new direction, correct? I'd love to hear more about the actual policy differences among the 3 candidates for Planning Board so that I can make an informed decision tomorrow. Thank you! Debra Daugherty On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 8:30 AM Ephraim Flint via Lincoln wrote: As I grew up in Lincoln, I witnessed the town’s innovative and thoughtful decision-making as it navigated change while maintaining its unique rural character. I left Lincoln for school and work in 1975 and returned in 2000, happy to see that the town had continued its tradition of carefully managing growth and change. I served on the Planning Board from 2003 to 2008 as we shepherded several significant projects towards successful completion: The redevelopment of the Mall at Lincoln Station; the creation of the South Lincoln Overlay District; the Commons senior living community; and Minuteman Commons. To advance the Town’s work on housing diversity, we required that the Commons senior living community and Minuteman Commons include a substantial number of affordable units. This was not done just to meet the state’s 40B requirements for affordable housing but because it was the right thing to do. Other volunteer positions that I have held include School Committee (in Garrison, NY) and the board of Codman Farm. Today, we are again in a period where we must creatively manage change so that the hard work of those who came before us and the values that we all cherish are not lost. There is a need in town for more affordable and diverse housing. We must meet this challenge. Doing so will strengthen our community. I live on our family farm on Lexington Road. With extended family, we grow hay, sweet corn, and pumpkins and in the spring, make maple syrup. Professionally, I work at Draper Lab. I am a physicist by training and a farmer at heart. Again, I would like to offer my service to the town at this exciting and challenging time and would appreciate your support. Ephraim Flint Ephraim B. Flint PO Box 6034 27 Lexington Rd. Lincoln, MA 01773 M: 978-760-3552 -- The LincolnTalk mailing list.To post, send mail to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).Search the archives at .Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ (http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/).Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. -- The LincolnTalk mailing list.To post, send mail to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).Search the archives at .Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ (http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/).Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. -- Sasha Golden -- The LincolnTalk mailing list.To post, send mail to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).Search the archives at .Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ (http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/).Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
