Perfect idea-more Farrar Pond Villages, low-rise units with privacy, but a sense of community...with lots of green space and direct access to trails on lots of conservation land. I think that is a wonderful idea to share that ambiance with more people. Let’s do it! ------ Sara Mattes
> On Oct 19, 2023, at 2:54 PM, RAandBOB <[email protected]> wrote: > > I would like to make two points: > – interestingly, a lot of young families have been moving in to Farrar Pond > village, to the extent that they have built a playground. It may be that > young people don’t want to spend their weekends mowing a lawn or it may be > that they just can’t afford a house, but at any rate, they seem to be happy > to move into a condo. > > – I think people are missing the point of the push for new housing. The > theory is that if you build a lot more housing, the overall price of the > existing housing stock will come down. So it doesn’t need to be moderate > income housing to make houses more affordable overall. > > Ruth Ann > (She, her, hers) > >> On Oct 19, 2023, at 10:42 AM, Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> I simply asked if we had asked them, rather than presume. >> >> With little to no money we chose Lincoln ( the same $) as a very modest >> townhouse in Cambridge. >> Lincoln lodgings were much smaller, but single family and with open space. >> - just our choice. >> I don’t assume or presume what would be anyone else’s priority. >> Ours was a single family house. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Oct 19, 2023, at 1:30 PM, Chris McCarthy <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Sara, >>> >>> I think many people would want to live in a townhouse in Lincoln. Not >>> everyone wants a 2 acre compound and the environmental impact that goes >>> along with it. That also doesn't speak to the fact that those who care for >>> our children, prepare and supply our food, keep our water and electricity >>> flowing can't even afford that if they wanted. >>> >>> I'm unfortunately no longer surprised by the massive disconnect between >>> multi million dollar land owners and the common person. A tale as old as >>> time. >>> >>> - Chris >>> >>> On Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 06:55 Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> To me, it hits the point- get out of the way of developers! >>>> >>>> Lincoln could change zoning to encourage townhouses. >>>> I wonder if any posting to advocate for HCA zoning would elect to convert >>>> their own property to a townhouse configuration or support their neighbors >>>> who chose to do so? >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On Oct 18, 2023, at 10:09 PM, John Mendelson <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I think this misses the point. >>>>> >>>>> The legacy of restrictive zoning has had a huge impact on housing prices >>>>> in the region, thus making prices unaffordable locally across both >>>>> single-family and multi-family options. Supply and demand. Which will >>>>> only get worse and have broader repercussions for our regional economy in >>>>> the near term unless we act. >>>>> >>>>> I do also think there needs to be a cultural shift away from making >>>>> single-family housing the ideal, rather than just one of many attractive >>>>> housing types. >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Oct 18, 2023, 3:50 PM ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>> If the Housing Choice Act and those in charge REALLY wanted to help >>>>>> “empty nesters” and “first time home buyers” they would have included >>>>>> affordable housing as a requirement in this act. >>>>>> >>>>>> The truth is, the HCA has NO requirement for affordable housing. It >>>>>> allows each town to require UP TO 10% affordable housing. >>>>>> The other 90% can be at market rate ($$$$) unless a town is willing to >>>>>> bribe the developer to add more, as we did with Oriole Landing and a $1 >>>>>> million dollar “loan” (at 0% interest and only to be repaid if they lose >>>>>> units of affordable housing.) >>>>>> >>>>>> The only ones benefiting from the HCA are developers. >>>>>> >>>>>> There isn’t just a housing crisis. There is an AFFORDABLE housing >>>>>> crisis. That missing word is important when you’re going to use >>>>>> diversity and equity to describe it. >>>>>> >>>>>> As far as I know, empty nesters expect their monthly housing payment to >>>>>> downsize at the same time their house size does. >>>>>> >>>>>> But Lincoln Empty nesters you’re in luck! Oriole Landing has multiple >>>>>> units with immediate availability! You can move into this lovely 1156 >>>>>> square foot unit for the low low price of $4076 a month! Pack your bags >>>>>> now because we hear the condo market is hot in these NIMBY towns! 🧳📦 >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, if there is such a huge demand for market rate condos and >>>>>> apartments in Lincoln and surrounding towns, why does Oriole Landing >>>>>> have any availability? You’d think that there would be a waiting list of >>>>>> people wanting to move in…. >>>>>> >>>>>> <image_123650291.JPG> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> https://www.apartments.com/oriole-landing-lincoln-ma/em0432m/ >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 2:26 PM John Mendelson <[email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> I had a very different reaction to the article. Nowhere in the piece >>>>>>> did I discern that the Globe's Spotlight's team's thesis is that there >>>>>>> is a housing crisis for those looking for single-family homes. Rather, >>>>>>> the crux of the article (and this is just the first in a series) is >>>>>>> summed up in the introductory paragraphs below. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> John >>>>>>> >>>>>>> For Milton’s story is everywhere – it is the story of Boston’s pricey >>>>>>> suburbs, cocooned by restrictive single-family zoning rules that make >>>>>>> apartment and condo projects so hard to permit that they are rarely >>>>>>> built. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> It is the story of a town, and region, that has for half a century >>>>>>> doubled down on the status quo, or made zoning even more restrictive, >>>>>>> all but guaranteeing that single-family home prices — rising more >>>>>>> steeply here than in any other state since 1980 — will remain >>>>>>> shockingly high. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The fallout from these outrageous home prices is a sort of economic >>>>>>> climate change, steadily making much of the region uninhabitable for >>>>>>> those of modest incomes. Expensive housing acts as a golden gate, and >>>>>>> there is a price to be paid for living in a gated community. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This is the price: Across this region, the dream of suburban life is >>>>>>> largely foreclosed by lack of affordable options to the children of >>>>>>> those who live in the suburbs now, to the town employees who keep >>>>>>> municipalities humming, to newcomers who might bring new energies to >>>>>>> town — and added diversity of class and race. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One fact became obvious in the course of this review: The sense of >>>>>>> urgency here does not match this brewing crisis. Not even close. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One reason may be that swelling property values don’t feel like a >>>>>>> crisis for those who bought into the market years or decades ago, they >>>>>>> feel like a windfall. This region, Milton included, is awash in paper >>>>>>> millionaires. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But standing pat will suffocate hope — the hope of many now trying to >>>>>>> enter this mad housing market, from empty-nesters hoping to downsize in >>>>>>> the town they know, to newcomers seeking to buy a first home as careers >>>>>>> and prosperity grow. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 1:15 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>>> Yes -very inserting article. >>>>>>>> And very well written-very readable. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> But what is of special note is that the article calls it a crisis for >>>>>>>> those seeking SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. >>>>>>>> Those are the first examples they offer. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> And, then the pivot is to apartment developments and condos, with no >>>>>>>> equivalent documentation of demand…just the assertion. >>>>>>>> It is easy to document the demand for affordable units as there are >>>>>>>> waging lists. >>>>>>>> On the other hand, we are not documenting demand for market rate, >>>>>>>> especially high end units. >>>>>>>> It seems there is no discussion as to how to meet the noted demand for >>>>>>>> single family homes. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Also of note is the graph of where there are a lot of building permits >>>>>>>> being pulled and where there are not, without also noting that lots >>>>>>>> of permits are being pulled where land is easier to come by, like the >>>>>>>> Denver area. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The real challenge will be how to meet demand for single family homes >>>>>>>> in our area. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ------ >>>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Oct 18, 2023, at 1:02 PM, Alice Waugh <[email protected] >>>>>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The housing crisis since the 1960s and soaring prices... Chapter >>>>>>>>> 40B... minimum lot sizes... triple deckers... and of course the >>>>>>>>> Affordable Housing Act... this article has it all. Highly recommended >>>>>>>>> to see the big picture in the Boston area with a focus on Milton. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> https://apps.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/special-projects/spotlight-boston-housing/milton-restrictive-zoning/ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <https://apps.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/special-projects/spotlight-boston-housing/milton-restrictive-zoning/> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I believe you can read a few Boston Globe articles per month for free >>>>>>>>> if you're not a subscriber. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Alice Waugh >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>>>>>> <mailto:[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] >>>>>>>> <mailto:[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] >>>>>>> <mailto:[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] >>>> <mailto:[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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