Planning Board sets summer drafting calendar for Housing Choice Act zoning

LINCOLN — May 23, 2023 — Lincoln Planning Board sets summer drafting calendar to meet December Housing Choice Act deadline. Members spent Tuesday's work-plan meeting identifying four issues they must resolve before drafting: affordability percentage (10 percent by right or 15 percent with a feasibility study), density bonuses, parking and design guidelines. Co-Chair Lynn DeLisi argued a lower affordability set-aside could yield more middle-priced units, citing Oriole Landing's split between subsidized and "very expensive" market-rate apartments; member Eve countered that retreating from 15 percent has "a downside as well." Margaret Olson said Lexington's 15 percent submission required a roughly $25,000 feasibility study by consultant Mark Forger. A June 6 virtual multi-board meeting precedes public forums June 16 in person and June 20 on Zoom, all focused on district locations within and beyond the half-mile commuter rail radius.