Lincoln Community –
If you’d like to read my full letter of support for the Nature Link project -
with updated research, context, and a detailed Q&A - *you can find it here* :
https://docsend.com/view/h33hxc7zvdstqa2d.
If you’re supportive and want to co-sign, *add your name here* :
https://forms.gle/nS54qqTH5XCdSMW29.
Since my first post last week, I’ve had dozens of conversations - on- and
offline - about the Nature Link proposal. It’s been an unexpectedly productive
process: people asked tough questions, shared knowledge, and flagged gaps in
the narrative. That back-and-forth has strengthened my understanding and
reinforced my belief that this project makes sense for Lincoln.
A few key updates (all in the Q&A link above with sources cited and details
provided):
– *Of the 77 acres going into Conservation Restriction, 58 are developable.*
This was documented in the 2005 At-Risk Properties Report, where a
town-appointed committee hired VHB (local, respected civil engineering firm) to
assess the land. Their analysis showed that the Farrington property could
support *at least 11 single-family homes or a large institutional campus - by
right* , no zoning override required. I initially flagged the Dover Amendment
as the key risk, but I now think the greater risk is what’s already legally
permissible.
– *The housing mix is more balanced than it appears at a glance.* Three of the
20 homes (15%) will be deed-restricted affordable units, helping increase
Lincoln’s affordable housing stock (currently ~12%). The 14 smaller market-rate
homes are projected to list at *$990K,* below the *$1.5M–$2M* average/median
home prices in our and neighboring towns. Expecting Lincoln to produce housing
that hits statewide affordability averages - when our land costs and market
conditions don’t - isn’t realistic. This isn’t about fixing the state’s housing
crisis on one lot. It’s about making a smart deal that balances multiple
priorities.
– *There’s a projected positive revenue impact of $91K annually.* This number
is net of education/ public safety costs and the loss of 3 single-family home
lots. It’s a preliminary estimate and worth further vetting, but it helps
correct the narrative that this will be a net fiscal loss.
– *All the materials behind this project are publicly available* , including
Civico’s application (see written submission (
https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/98467/Page-Road-Development---Written-Part-1-Final-052025-2
) and plans (
https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/98466/Page-Road-Development---Drawings-Part-2-Final-052025-2
) ). That said, they’re scattered - so I pulled them together in one place in
my Q&A linked above to make it easier to follow. I hope this also helps
mitigate community members' feelings that they've been left out of the process.
We have plenty of time for continued discussion and evaluation and there are
many public opportunities to do so with open house and committee meetings on
the books ( see Pages 28-29 here (
https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/98471/Nature-Link-Presentation-Public-Outreach--5-27-2025-2
) ).
In short, this isn’t a perfect project. But it’s a *balanced* one - and it
locks in 77 acres of land from future risk, adds modest housing diversity, and
supports a valued local nonprofit. Please continue to share thoughts and I'll
happily engage in the discussion.
Joey
Joseph Kolchinsky at 83 Page Rd
--
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.
