Planning Board adopts Lexington overlay as template for Housing Choice Act bylaw

LINCOLN — June 13, 2023 — Lincoln Planning Board endorses Lexington-style overlay as template for Housing Choice Act compliance. Planning Director Paula Vaughn told members at a June 13 working session that Town Counsel has formally concluded the state's MBTA Communities law is mandatory and that grant loss is "not an either-or." The board reviewed three sub-districts — village mixed-use, multifamily residential and a village retail overlay covering the Lincoln Mall — all carrying the 15-units-per-acre state floor. Co-Chair Gary Taylor pressed to relocate the required 50 percent contiguous block from North Lincoln toward the train station by extending the overlay along Lincoln Road through Ryan Estates. The current Utile model produces 895 units against a 635-unit requirement. Member Margaret Olson urged capping inclusionary housing at 15 percent, citing research that "communities are healthier at 15 and below." Vaughn cited G.L. c. 183, § 5 in assuring Battle Road Farm residents that adding units would require unanimous owner consent. Public forums are set for Friday at 8 a.m. and the following Tuesday by Zoom.