Planning Board defers Berryfield Farm worker-housing recommendation to joint July ZBA hearing

LINCOLN — May 10, 2022 — Lincoln Planning Board defers Berryfield Farm worker-housing recommendation, citing precedent concerns. The board voted unanimously to hold its recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals on two proposed accessory apartments for stable hands on a 9.18-acre parcel at 131 Weston Road, opting to deliberate jointly with the ZBA and town counsel at the July hearing. Attorney Donald Dane argued the apartments qualify for exemption from special-permit requirements under the state's agricultural-use protections in Chapter 40A, Section 3. Member Gary Taylor said the proposal "doesn't seem to be problematic" on its own but warned, "if two is okay, is five okay? Is 10 okay?" The board separately approved a favorable recommendation for a 991-square-foot accessory apartment at 90 Lexington Road, a minor-change determination on Codman Community Farm's 24-space parking reconfiguration, and a 167-square-foot dormer addition at 12 Brooks Hill Road.