Planning Board approves Blackburnian fence, moves to allow accessory apartments by right

LINCOLN — June 28, 2022 — Lincoln Planning Board signals end of ZBA special permits for most accessory apartments. The board on June 28 reached consensus on a two-amendment Town Meeting package raising the accessory-apartment size cap from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet (retaining the 35 percent floor-area ratio) and allowing apartments by right when contained within an existing building envelope, with site plan review triggered by any exterior changes or new accessory buildings. Member Margaret Olson, who drafted the proposal, argued the current Planning Board recommendation plus ZBA special permit "really" adds nothing when compliant applications are routinely approved. Co-Chair Gary Taylor resisted handing design judgment to the building inspector — "we cross the line of what the building inspector can do" — and the board agreed site plan review would absorb design questions. The board also unanimously approved a 208-foot, 8-foot-tall stockade fence permit for Philip O'Neill and Lynn Sibilak along Blackburnian Road.