Planning Board endorses two all-electric energy warrant articles in 4-0-1 vote

LINCOLN — February 14, 2023 — Lincoln Planning Board endorses all-electric energy warrant articles, shelves B-2 zoning rewrite. The board voted 4-0-1 to support both adoption of the state's specialized opt-in energy code and Lincoln's entry into the 10-town demonstration program requiring fossil-fuel-free new construction, with member Lynn DeLisi abstaining over the mandate approach. Green Energy Committee presenter Paul Schorb said the specialized code requires HERS 45 for all-electric homes and 42 for mixed-fuel, effectively forcing all-electric above 4,000 square feet, and noted Cambridge, Somerville, Boston and Watertown have already adopted pilot bylaws. Resident Frank Clark warned the grid lacks supply: "When the sun don't shine and the wind don't blow, you got to have it stored somewhere." Member Margaret Olson countered that her ground-source-heated home is "significantly cheaper to heat" than her prior house. The board also unanimously granted a 10-year special permit to Dish Wireless for three antennas at 75 feet on the existing Lewis Street stealth pole, and voted 5-0 to pass over a B-2 district amendment pending Housing Choice Act work.