Planning Board approves Silver Hill cluster addition, eyes January hearing on accessory apartment changes

LINCOLN — December 8, 2020 — Lincoln Planning Board clears Silver Hill addition and opens debate on accessory apartment 10-year rule. The board on Dec. 8 unanimously approved a 635-square-foot, first-floor addition at 38 Silver Hill Road in a 1979 cluster subdivision, with abutter Mark Deck submitting no objection. Co-Chair Lynn DeLisi proposed striking the bylaw's requirement that a principal dwelling be 10 years old before housing an accessory apartment, with a public hearing targeted for January; Co-Chair Gary Taylor backed the change, calling accessory units "a very straightforward way to create a lot of affordable housing all over town." Member Margaret Olson, briefing the board on MassDOT's Route 2A repaving, said widening for dedicated bike lanes had been ruled out and that "there's no legal way for a car to pass a vulnerable user on 2A right now." Town planner Paula Vaughn previewed a required MS4 stormwater bylaw for spring town meeting, and the Community Preservation Committee will weigh a Flint family preservation request likely to be pulled out as a stand-alone warrant article.