Planning Board releases $62,794 in 20-year-old escrow for Hobbs Brook subdivision

LINCOLN — June 25, 2024 — Lincoln Planning Board closes out a 20-year-old subdivision escrow and opens a rewrite of its height bylaw. The board voted unanimously June 25 to release $62,794.39 held by TD Bank since a 2004 tripartite agreement on the Hobbs Brook Farm cluster subdivision, after Assistant Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Hurton confirmed final paving was complete at a cost of $64,135.50. Developer Christina Reider said the work "was kind of a project that was too big for some and too small for others." The board also agreed to hold a Sept. 24 workshop on Lincoln's basement, story and height definitions, which Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn said are "far more restrictive" than the 2021 state building code and peer towns including Weston and Wayland. Member Margaret Olson said the board should not be "drafting rules that constrain architectural style"; Co-Chair Lynn DeLisi warned applicants would otherwise "find a way" around the limits.