Chris, Please read "human values". Thank you. Bijoy On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 5:22 PM Chris McCarthy <kb1...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Why would anyone be concerned with christian values when determining > housing policy? There is however an otherworldly housing affordability > problem in the Greater Boston area, with Lincoln being a prime example of > entrenched nimbyism. Imagine suggesting the possibility that we forego > funding or close a T stop to keep out the poors. > > "At least with our liberal views in the own, we can make ourselves a > model community" > > The housing bill is a priority, so to truly be a model community it is > time to step it up. Either that or pull down those feel good signs you put > up at the end of your driveway. Phil Ochs had a lot to say about that topic. > > On Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 16:58 Bijoy Misra <misra.bi...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Dear Allen, >> You might recall my objection to similar comments of yours in the meeting >> of the Housing Commission. >> We should keep away from any thoughts of creating a "serving class" >> through the town housing stock. >> Some of us are lucky to have better incomes or being born to wealth. A >> serving person should not >> get into a lower quality of life because of his/her affordability of >> housing. A serving person could indeed >> be brighter and the children could be smarter. In the present day and >> age of globalization, we should >> strive for a more integrated society by respecting labor and the lack of >> privilege. At least with our liberal >> views in the own, we can make ourselves a model community by considering >> all aspects in developing >> the quality of life like health, food, education and social >> relationships. Oppressive shanty towns for >> labor is a colonial idea whose days are long past. Currently we should >> help create excellence and nurture >> productivity. >> You labeled me as a "troublemaker" those days. I thought you would >> understand the Christian values better >> since you have served as a pastor for some time. I was troubled to see >> your thoughts once again and I thought >> to comment. People who serve us are our policemen, firefighters, health >> workers, town workers, teachers >> along with gardeners, janitors and cooks. We must think of them >> collectively as a part of our community. >> Hope you may reflect and appreciate. >> Best regards, >> Bijoy >> >> >> >> On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 11:24 AM Allen Vander Meulen < >> pastorall...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> It should also be noted that the “density” metric is measured on a per >>> lot basis. >>> >>> Lincoln Woods has been cited in this thread as a “high density” >>> development, but property contains a lot of wetland and conservation land, >>> as well as a septic treatment plant set well back from the rest of the >>> property - around 21 acres all told. So, with 125 units, its actual >>> density is only about 6 units / acre - well under the state’s proposed “By >>> Right” minimum for the Lincoln Station area. >>> >>> "The Commons" property is about 31 acres with around 209 living units, >>> according to its online “property card”. So its density is under 7 >>> units/acre. >>> >>> Oriole Landing (next door to The Commons) is about 6 acres - with 60 >>> units, or 10 units / acre, and is therefore the town’s highest-density >>> property - and both The Commons and Oriole Landing are quite far from any >>> public transit. >>> >>> In other words, none of the major multi-unit developments in town are >>> even close to the proposed requirement of 15 units/acre. However, as >>> Margaret Olson said, this proposed “by Right” zoning can be modified by >>> restrictions due to wetlands, conservation, and other considerations and >>> controls imposed by the town. And, it will be some time before the >>> proposed regulations are finalized - with a lot of negotiating and refining >>> likely to happen between now and then. >>> >>> It is abundantly clear we need far more housing in this town for those >>> with low to moderate incomes. Many employers in town (far more than most >>> of us realize) need people willing to fill their low to moderate income >>> positions. But with a very limited supply of affordable housing, most of >>> these people have to commute huge distances to work here. Given a choice, >>> they will choose to work closer to home and/or at businesses with less >>> expensive transportation options. So, our local businesses, nonprofits, >>> and service providers are struggling to find and retain adequate help: the >>> issue isn’t the quality of work the environment, but whether their >>> employees can afford to work here in town at all. >>> >>> From an Affordable Housing point of view, Lincoln is (in theory) in a >>> good “place” right now, thanks to the addition of 60 units to our >>> “Subsidized Housing Inventory” courtesy of the Oriole Landing project. >>> Under current law, we should be safe for quite some time from high-density >>> developments built without concern for harmonizing with the community. >>> But, as the Housing Choice Act shows, the law is changing - and needs to. >>> >>> Personally, I welcome the Housing Choice Act as an important first >>> effort to address those needs. However, it is far from perfect: the >>> proposed regulations and guidelines that derive from it will need >>> considerable refinement before they can work as the state intends for towns >>> like Lincoln. I also expect that this is merely the first step in a series >>> of moves the Commonwealth will make over the next several years to >>> encourage, and eventually require, more low to moderate income housing as >>> well as improved access to public transportation. >>> >>> I believe we must be thoughtfully proactive on these issues. Lincoln is >>> already doing so through the work of SLPAC and the Planning Board - among >>> other efforts. Ignoring or downplaying these issues will eventually lead >>> to the town being forced into making difficult, painful, and expensive >>> adjustments with no recourse - as has happened in several nearby >>> communities. >>> >>> We need to continue to pursue more and better housing options here in >>> town for all - doing so thoughtfully, carefully, and mindful of what’s best >>> for not just ourselves, but for our neighbors and local businesses as well. >>> >>> - Allen Vander Meulen >>> >>> On Jan 24, 2022, at 20:48, Margaret Olson <s...@margaretolson.com> wrote: >>> >>> The Housing Choice Act covers "by right" zoning. Specifically, to comply >>> we would need to zone 50 acres at 15 units per acre. The Oriole Landing >>> buildings are consistent with that density. >>> >>> The act does not address housing construction or the current >>> multi-family housing inventory. It is concerned only with zoning. >>> >>> In other words, if we were to zone the entire 1/2 mile around the MBTA >>> station for 15 units per acre, and none of the current owners either built >>> multi-family housing or sold their property to a developer, we would be in >>> compliance even though no new housing would be built in that scenario. >>> Similarly, if we had 750 units in our current South Lincoln overlay >>> district we would not be in compliance because the overlay requires town >>> meeting approval. "By right" means that the property owner has the right to >>> build at the specified density. The town is still able to apply regulations >>> - building heights, design guidelines, site plan review, and other controls >>> over the nature of the development. >>> >>> Margaret >>> >>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 8:10 PM Joan Kimball <selene...@gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I believe that many existing units count. Could someone please >>>> clarify? Planning Board? >>>> >>>> Many of us want to help with the housing crisis in this part of MA. And >>>> i appreciate that there are differing opinions. May we continue to be civil >>>> as we are doing now. >>>> >>>> Joan >>>> >>>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 7:54 PM Debra Daugherty <dadaughe...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I guess I wish they would just take into consideration the housing we >>>>> already have. There are 120 units next to the Hanscom bus stop (Battle >>>>> Road >>>>> Farm) not to mention all the HAFB units. That's a ton of units. There's a >>>>> lot of open land on the Hanscom Air Field lot right across the street from >>>>> the bus stop, but I'm not sure what the status of that land is. In town we >>>>> have lots of units in Lincoln Woods right next to the train. Not sure why >>>>> that shouldn't count toward our quota. >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 7:06 PM Bob Mason <robertma...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I don't (yet) have a POV on the specifics of this legislation nor the >>>>>> feasibility for Lincoln, but I do wonder about a moral responsibility to >>>>>> reconsider wholesale housing policy in towns like Lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>>> It is my understanding that part of the housing crises that have >>>>>> plagued San Francisco, Los Angeles and other metropolitan regions across >>>>>> the US all have to do with too much NIMBYISM. At some point, for us to >>>>>> have >>>>>> a functional society, we need to rethink our physical infrastructure and >>>>>> how that can create stronger communities, have greater economic impact >>>>>> and >>>>>> reduce environmental pressures. >>>>>> >>>>>> Perhaps the specifics of this legislation is untenable for the >>>>>> geographical constraints of Lincoln, but maybe we need to lean even more >>>>>> into being part of the metropolitan solution. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 6:49 PM Richard Panetta < >>>>>> richardpane...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Margaret, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Would the property near the bus stop be an area of concern as well >>>>>>> then? Or would most of that land be in the National Park district? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Rich >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 6:45 PM Margaret Olson < >>>>>>> marga...@margaretolson.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sara, >>>>>>>> The original map published in the Squirrel was incorrect. This is >>>>>>>> my fault - I made that map and made a mistake in the GIS. This was >>>>>>>> brought >>>>>>>> to my attention in the comments; Alice contacted me and she updated the >>>>>>>> article with the corrected map. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What the updated map shows is that in order to comply we would need >>>>>>>> to rezone some of the current R1 (single family 2 acre) zone that is >>>>>>>> within >>>>>>>> a half mile of the station. Depending on how the regulations shape up >>>>>>>> after >>>>>>>> the comment period the town may be facing some difficult choices. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On the question of the MBTA station - we also have a bus stop, at >>>>>>>> Hanscom. We are a bus service town under the draft rules. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Margaret >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 5:53 PM Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Very interesting, and there will be serious push-back. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Note-"That is the message Massachusetts is sending to 175 cities >>>>>>>>> and suburbs in the Boston area, as a bill passed last year to boost >>>>>>>>> housing >>>>>>>>> production begins to take effect >>>>>>>>> <https://mass.streetsblog.org/2022/01/13/new-state-rule-would-force-suburbs-to-legalize-thousands-of-new-apartments-near-t-stops/> >>>>>>>>> *.** Almost every jurisdiction in eastern Massachusetts, from the >>>>>>>>> New Hampshire border to Worcester to the Cape Cod Canal…**”* >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Certainly some serious pressure will and should be placed on State >>>>>>>>> Reps. once other towns realize the implications. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Lincoln already has grasped the implications. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> For Lincoln, as was shown in a recent article in the *Squirrel,* the >>>>>>>>> land available, given the map proposed by MAPC and this new >>>>>>>>> growth initiative (NOT a mandate), the proposed 750 units would have >>>>>>>>> to fit >>>>>>>>> into a very small land mass. >>>>>>>>> In order to reach 750 units, we would need to redevelop with 5-6 >>>>>>>>> story buildings, at a minimum. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It simply is not feasible. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> We should all be contacting our current and future State Reps. to >>>>>>>>> ask their positions, and to explain. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> We have regularly added multi >>>>>>>>> family housing, including affordable housing to our inventory, and, >>>>>>>>> I expect we will continue to do so, but not in this manner. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> *------* >>>>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Jan 24, 2022, at 5:29 PM, Lynne Smith <ly...@smith.net> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> An interesting article for Lincoln. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> https://slate.com/business/2022/01/massachusetts-zoning-apartments-housing-transit.html >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Lynne Smith >>>>>>>>> 5 Tabor Hill Road >>>>>>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/5+Tabor+Hill+Road+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> >>>>>>>>> Lincoln, MA 01773 >>>>>>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/5+Tabor+Hill+Road+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> >>>>>>>>> 781-258-1175 >>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>> 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