Sara,
We have in fact seen improved service since late 2019 around when the pandemic began. Although overall ridership has declined about 29% <https://mbtabackontrack.com/performance/#/detail/ridership/2023-01-01/Commuter%20Rail///>, weekend ridership now exceeds pre-pandemic numbers <https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/01/11/weekend-commuter-rail-ridership-now-exceeds-pre-pandemic-traffic/>. If you compare the Fitchburg Line schedules from Fall of 2019 <https://www.dbperry.net/MBTA/fitchburg/fitchburg_2019-10-21.pdf> to those presently in effect for Spring of 2023 <https://www.dbperry.net/MBTA/fitchburg/fitchburg_2022-05-23.pdf>, you’ll notice that not only did we not lose any weekday trips, but the schedule has become hourly with predictable inbound/outbound arrival times in Lincoln. You will also find that the Fitchburg line has very reliable service <https://mbtabackontrack.com/performance/#/detail/reliability/2023-03-18////all> on a consistent basis, in addition to the better service levels I showed above. The Subway/Bus system would dream of having a similar degree of on time performance. Also of note, lawmakers have plans <https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/21293664/ma-lawmakers-pushing-for-mbta-to-electrify-commuter-rail-by-2035> to decarbonize the commuter rail. I remember people thinking the plans to implement a housing bill were far fetched and look where we are. This seems like a real possibility, particularly given that the MBTA has already put out an RFI <https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=BD-22-1206-40000-40000-77900&external=true&parentUrl=close> to procure multimodal locomotives for its Commuter Rail network. We seem well situated to do our part in the long term planning process. - Chris On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 4:44 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > 1) If the government was interested in truly committing to public transit, > it would place more resources there. Instead, we have seen a steady > decline in service, with a few exceptions. > In addition, there is a misunderstanding that service is linked to > compliance with the HCA. > It is not. > > 2) Because of the above, increased development, further away from places > of employment, without a dramatic expansion in public transit options, will > only expand the use of cars. > And, again, the HCA does not require ANY affordability in development. > All housing developed can be luxury, high-end housing. > > 3) It might be a good mandate if, indeed, it truly addressed > affordability, as did 40B. > And yes, public transit would be an important resource for the greater > good if it were reliable, regular and affordable service. > It is not. > > 4) And, it is that thoughtful local governance, done our own way, that has > achieved the 30+% multifamily units and affordability, both moderate and > low-income, that we have today. > > 5) Yes, we can and will do more…our way. > > Sara > ------ > Sara Mattes > > > > > On Mar 19, 2023, at 4:12 PM, John Mendelson <[email protected]> > wrote: > > The HCA, to me at least, is the state government saying to MBTA > communities, "if you want to have public transit, you have to make the area > around the station walkable for residents and with zoning that forces > greener, and hopefully, more affordable housing. > > It is the government saying to communities "make your town less dependent > on cars" which is a greener and more affordable solution. > > It is the best kind of government mandate in my view--leveraging an > already important public resource for the greater good. > > It is not saying "displace renters" and I think that is where thoughtful > local governance comes in. Not just resisting for the sake of "doing it > our own way." > > John > > On Sun, Mar 19, 2023, 3:54 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > >> The HCA does nothing to address affordable housing crisis. >> That is NOT a requirement embedded in the HCA. >> >> This something Lincoln, on its own, has embraced in the past 50, slowly >> and steadily, as opportunities arose. >> >> We did so without displacing anyone. >> >> I trust we can continue on this path. >> >> Sara >> >> ------ >> Sara Mattes >> >> >> >> >> On Mar 19, 2023, at 3:41 PM, John Mendelson <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> It could also lead to a long term solution to the area's significant >> housing shortage (crisis, if you are so inclined.) >> >> On Sun, Mar 19, 2023, 3:16 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> What HCA does is create a YUGE financial incentive for developers to >>> come in and develop undeveloped land, or redevelop “lightly developed” >>> neighborhoods. >>> That can *lead to the displacement of current residents who rent*, >>> rather than own. >>> >>> That potential must not be ignored. >>> >>> Sara >>> >>> ------ >>> Sara Mattes >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mar 19, 2023, at 2:20 PM, Margaret Olson <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> The HCA is concerned only with zoning. It does not address housing >>> production. It does not require that anything actually get built and and it >>> does not give any kind of credit for existing multi family housing. >>> >>> Lincoln had no zones that are 15 units per acre by right as the HCA >>> requires. Oriole Landing’s built area is at that density but it was built >>> under a special permit and it has additional undeveloped acreage behind the >>> buildings >>> >>> Margaret >>> >>> On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 1:37 PM Debra Daugherty <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I guess my question for anyone that would like to chime in is: Why >>>> doesn't the bus station at Hanscom Field and the area surrounding that bus >>>> station count in this? And can we count the already existing Battle Road >>>> Farm housing, ansome/most of which is within 0.5 miles of the bus stop and >>>> should meet the15 unit/acre requirement, toward the total requirement? >>>> >>>> Thanks! >>>> Debra >>>> >>>> On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 8:09 AM <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Well said, Craig. Thank you for your clarity, analysis, and your >>>>> confidence in our community… Lincoln can “protect current residents while >>>>> allowing for limited development…”. Of course we can! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I’m looking forward to your thoughtful leadership at the Planning >>>>> Board. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Joe Robbat >>>>> >>>>> Old Concord Road >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *From:* Lincoln <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Craig >>>>> Nicholson >>>>> *Sent:* Friday, March 17, 2023 3:43 PM >>>>> *To:* Chris McCarthy <[email protected]> >>>>> *Cc:* [email protected] >>>>> *Subject:* Re: [LincolnTalk] My Candidacy for the Lincoln Planning >>>>> Board >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Chris, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I know that I wasn’t specifically asked to address your question but >>>>> as a candidate for the Planning Board, I would like to build upon what >>>>> Lynn >>>>> and Mark have stated. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> First, if there ever any question about how the current administration >>>>> would respond to the HCA, AG Campbell’s Advisory ( >>>>> https://www.mass.gov/doc/advisory-concerning-enforcement-of-the-mbta-communities-zoning-law/download) >>>>> has made it very clear that this legislation will be enforced with >>>>> whatever >>>>> tools are at the State’s disposal. Beyond the AGs Office there are other >>>>> organizations such as the Lawyers for Civil Rights who have signaled that >>>>> they will pursue their own course of options to ensure compliance ( >>>>> http://lawyersforcivilrights.org/our-impact/housing/lawyers-for-civil-rights-demands-compliance-with-mbta-zoning-law/). >>>>> Furthermore, members of the State Legislature, including our own Senator >>>>> Mike Barrett, are proposing legislation that would strip the HCA of some >>>>> of >>>>> its flexibility and mandate all land within the 0.5-mile radius of the >>>>> commuter rail station be zoned for density of 15 units per acre ( >>>>> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S858/Cosponsor). One way or >>>>> another, it would seem (given the above) that at the state level, the >>>>> political will is there to enforce compliance. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> As the MBTA Communities portion of the Housing Choice Act is currently >>>>> written, Lincoln will be required to rezone 42 to 43 acres at a minimum >>>>> gross density of 15 units/acre. 20% or 8 acres of those 42 are required to >>>>> be located within a half mile radius of Lincoln Station. Per the HCA, this >>>>> new zoning district cannot explicitly require commercial use within it, >>>>> although the town can develop incentives that would encourage mixed-use >>>>> development. The 34 acre balance can be located elsewhere in town beyond >>>>> the 0.5-mile radius of the commuter rail station with a requirement for at >>>>> least 21 acres of that land to be contiguous. The flexibility now allowed >>>>> under the HCA gives Lincoln the opportunity to take advantage of the >>>>> multi-family housing that it has thoughtfully developed in the past. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The HCA Working Group (HCAWG) in Lincoln is currently evaluating >>>>> options to comply with these requirements in a way that will strengthen >>>>> our >>>>> community. The work that the HCAWG is undertaking is being supported by a >>>>> grant from Mass Housing Partnership to facilitate community engagement. I >>>>> strongly support the work that the HCAWG is undertaking and look forward >>>>> to >>>>> engaging further with that process throughout the year ahead. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I recognize that residents are concerned with how this new zoning will >>>>> affect them and the town. I see this as an opportunity to balance the >>>>> goals >>>>> of the HCA with the goals of our community. I am confident that the HCAWG, >>>>> working collaboratively with residents throughout Lincoln, will develop >>>>> options that protect current residents while allowing for limited >>>>> development that will help to strengthen our businesses and more broadly >>>>> our community as a whole. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I am happy to address any additional questions if you, or others in >>>>> our community, have them and I appreciate the opportunity to provide more >>>>> context and offer my thoughts. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thank you, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Craig >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 9:23 PM Chris McCarthy <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Mark, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thank you for your response. I appreciate your honesty regarding the >>>>> hope that enforcement of the HCA will be struck down by the courts. It is >>>>> certainly a progressive piece of legislation. Though hopefully >>>>> non-compliance wouldn't create lengthy and expensive battles for those >>>>> involved. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> As to your last point, I don't believe anyone is trying to keep people >>>>> out. Existing zoning including large lot sizes, exemptions like >>>>> conservation land, wetlands etc. have already done that for us. As a >>>>> fellow >>>>> Lincoln Station area resident I also hope to find creative solutions >>>>> rather >>>>> than pulling the ladder up behind us. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thanks again for the response, and thank you to Lynn as well. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Chris McCarthy >>>>> >>>>> 41 Greenridge Ln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 8:25 PM Mark Levinson < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Chris, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> That’s an interesting question. I see Lynn DeLisi has already >>>>> responded to it. I agree with Lynn in general, and here’s my two cents: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The recently passed Housing Choice Act (HCA) mandates zoning changes >>>>> near MBTA stations to allow much higher density housing. However the law >>>>> states that the penalty for non-compliance is simply the loss of access to >>>>> some state funds. So compliance is really voluntary. Our new Attorney >>>>> General, Andrea Campbell, just announced that she will force compliance >>>>> with the law. However, I believe that such actions would exceed her >>>>> authority, which is to enforce the law, not make it. Unless the >>>>> legislature changes the law, I would guess and hope that any enforcement >>>>> attempt on her part would be shot down by the courts. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> That being said, I think we should do what we can to comply with the >>>>> HCA. It applies to the Lincoln Station neighborhood, which is where I >>>>> live. My understanding is that the state will allow some flexibility in >>>>> how and where the new zoning could be implemented. I think we should try >>>>> to >>>>> find creative solutions that preserve the existing housing in that area, >>>>> which is already some of the most diverse and affordable in town, while >>>>> complying with the letter of the law. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> For example, it’s my understanding the that the RLF (owner of the Mall >>>>> at Lincoln Station) may be considering options to redevelop the Mall to >>>>> include mixed use space, including housing. I think that kind of thing >>>>> would be an ideal way to both provide increased traffic for businesses in >>>>> the area, encourage use of the commuter rail, and support the RLF, as well >>>>> as comply with the HCA. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> If I am elected, I will do my best to find such creative solutions, >>>>> always in consultation with my neighbors near Lincoln Station, as well as >>>>> the rest of the town. I will only support approaches that a rational, >>>>> real-world analysis shows will likely achieve their goals and benefit the >>>>> town. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I might also point out that the HCA’s one-size-fits-all approach to >>>>> promoting high density housing ignores the fact that, here in Lincoln, >>>>> about 35% of our housing units are already multi-family (not counting >>>>> Hanscom). So it’s not like we are NIMBY’s trying to keep out the masses. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Best regards, >>>>> >>>>> Mark >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *From:* Chris McCarthy <[email protected]> >>>>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 16, 2023 11:43 AM >>>>> *To:* [email protected] >>>>> *Cc:* [email protected] >>>>> *Subject:* Re: [LincolnTalk] My Candidacy for the Lincoln Planning >>>>> Board >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Mark, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> As a candidate for the Planning Board, would you kindly provide your >>>>> position on the MBTA Communities Act? It has the potential to mandate >>>>> zoning changes in town and the AG recently clarified >>>>> <https://commonwealthmagazine.org/housing/campbell-warns-municipalities-mbta-zoning-law-not-optional/> >>>>> that >>>>> compliance is not optional. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thank you, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Chris McCarthy >>>>> >>>>> 41 Greenridge Ln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 8:02 AM Mark Levinson < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I am pleased to announce my candidacy for one of the two open seats on >>>>> the Lincoln Planning Board. >>>>> >>>>> I have lived near Lincoln Station for almost 25 years and have been >>>>> active in issues affecting our neighborhood and the town. I have served >>>>> as >>>>> one of two Neighborhood Liaisons to the Planning Board and its South >>>>> Lincoln Planning Advisory Committee (SLPAC). >>>>> >>>>> I have also been committed to environmental issues, and volunteered >>>>> for many years for the Sudbury Valley Trustees, a very active and >>>>> successful land conservation organization. >>>>> >>>>> I think that town planning is a key factor in allowing Lincoln to >>>>> navigate current and future challenges, while preserving the character of >>>>> the town and our wonderful quality of life. >>>>> >>>>> I believe I share the goals of many Lincolnites for our neighborhood >>>>> and our town: viability of local businesses, diversity, encouraging use of >>>>> public transportation, and generally doing what we can to fight climate >>>>> change, while maintaining the rural character of our town. >>>>> >>>>> I will represent the views and opinions of all Lincoln residents, not >>>>> only those of my neighborhood. I will do my best to be open-minded, >>>>> always >>>>> considering the facts and likely outcomes of any course of action, knowing >>>>> that actions to promote one goal may sometimes produce adverse >>>>> consequences >>>>> for others. >>>>> >>>>> I ask for your support on election day, Monday, March 27. >>>>> >>>>> Thank you and best regards, >>>>> >>>>> Mark Levinson >>>>> >>>>> 8 Ridge Road, Lincoln >>>>> >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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