Planning Board takes no position on Commons expansion, backs two HCA options

LINCOLN — November 28, 2023 — Lincoln Planning Board sends Commons expansion to Town Meeting without endorsement. The board voted 5-0 to take no position on a warrant article amending the preliminary plan for The Commons in Lincoln to add 28 residential units and 52 parking spaces, after Co-Chair Margaret Olson withdrew her endorsement motion when Co-Chair Gary Taylor and members Lynn DeLisi, Rob Ahlert and Susan Hall Mygatt said they would not vote yes. Campus Director Ray LeBlanc, citing more than 600 hours of resident engagement and unanimous resident-council support, requested the endorsement; resident Virginia Lamere and a group of resident family members called "the kids of The Commons" urged a pause for more financial information. Separately the board voted 4-1, DeLisi opposed, to endorse Housing Choice Act Options C and D1 — the latter swapping in the Lincoln North commercial property — as "best meeting the requirements of the Housing Choice Act." Special Town Meeting is Saturday.