Planning Board sends FEMA floodplain bylaw rewrite to Town Meeting

LINCOLN — February 11, 2025 — Lincoln Planning Board advances FEMA floodplain rewrite and previews ADU bylaw split. The board voted unanimously to send a full rewrite of Zoning Bylaw Section 12.3 to Town Meeting, adopting FEMA's model language and the updated Flood Insurance Rate Map effective July 8, 2025; Conservation Director Michelle Grisenda said improved LIDAR has expanded the 100-year zone to include parts of Flint's Pond, Beaver Pond and Valley Pond. Town Planner Paula said the FEMA text leaves "no wiggle room." On accessory dwelling units, Co-Chair Margaret Olson and KP Law's Amy presented a draft splitting the article in two: a majority-vote Section 14.4 governing protected 900-square-foot ADUs and a two-thirds amendment to the existing accessory apartment section, which would scrap Lincoln's 5 percent townwide cap. The board also approved a 1,687-square-foot pool house at 31 Old Concord Road with motion-sensor and timer lighting conditions over abutter objections from Penny Normandy.