Planning Board approves Woodcock Circle addition, advances Housing Choice Act overlay

LINCOLN -- June 27, 2023, Lincoln Planning Board approves two site changes and refines Housing Choice Act map. The board on June 27 unanimously approved a 28-by-36-foot accessory-apartment addition at 5 Woodcock Circle and a five-foot house shift at 247 Old Concord Road to preserve four wetland-buffer trees discovered during foundation staking. Most of the meeting focused on Housing Choice Act compliance, where consultant Paula Vaughn presented a village-center-heavy district producing 42.8 acres and a 702-unit capacity against state minimums of 42 acres and 635 units. Vaughn said town counsel is confirming whether Lincoln can follow Lexington's single-overlay model to enable one majority-vote town meeting article. Member Margaret Olson pushed to consider 40-foot height and to scrap parking minimums entirely, arguing required parking "subsidizes car use." Co-Chair Gary Taylor said neighborhood meetings at Battle Road Farm, The Commons and South Lincoln will be held between July 4 and July 14, with up to $7 million in water-line repairs hinging on MassWorks grants tied to housing.