"Commercial" does not just mean "retail." I am encouraging the RLF to add more office space to the mix. While Boston's commercial real estate market is struggling, this is nit the case in the suburbs. See: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/28/business/wellesley-suburbs-office-market-is-thriving/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_Link
Part of smart growth is finding ways to work closer to where we live. If you have the opportunity to try it, I think you will find trading a long commute for more time at home or at the office, can have a very healthy outcome. Remember that we all have a role to play here. In order for the HCA to achieve its goals, we have to engage as a state, as a town, and as individuals. John On Sun, Nov 12, 2023, 2:18 PM Scott Clary <scottclar...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello Louis, > > Yes, that is the question- will there be "ANY" commercial base left??? > > > Kind Regards, > > Scott Clary > 617-968-5769 > > Sent from a mobile device - please excuse typos and errors > > On Sun, Nov 12, 2023, 1:45 PM Louis Zipes <louiszi...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> >> - The Planning Board released a Lincoln Station Planning Study in >> 2014. The study concluded that each 100 units added would only support >> 2,500 sq ft of space. For reference, Donelan's footprint is 20,387 sq ft. >> Study here >> >> <https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/65765/Lincoln-Station-Planning-Study-3-27-2014bwfinal> >> - 2,500 sq ft of commercial space per 100 units is probably a very >> optimistic number. The Study assumed that the leakage (% of convenience >> buys by residents that happen outside of Lincoln Station) would come down >> from 80% to 50%. If we use the actual 80% leakage, those 100 units would >> only support 1,000 sq ft of space. >> >> >> Another reason to go with Option C then to have the most units available >> to support any retail! ð >> >> On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Karla Gravis <karlagra...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I thought the premise of locating 100% of rezoned units around the train >>> station and giving away our town meeting negotiating power was to "support >>> and maintain our small commercial center" and "promote decarbonization >>> and climate change adaptation by rezoning near transportation and >>> amenities. >>> >>> But we are now being told that the plans for the mall will reduce >>> commercial space and that we may not even be able to keep Donelan's. So why >>> do we insist on putting all rezoned housing into the same spot where there >>> are likely to be fewer amenities in the future? The train schedule is >>> limited and unreliable enough that it is naive to think people will take >>> the train to do a grocery run. It sounds like a situation where the cure is >>> worse than the disease. >>> >>> *It is not true that much of the study was conducted at noon on a public >>> holiday.* The consulting team conducted field studies across 8 days, >>> none of which were public holidays. (April 12, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27, and 29, >>> and May 8, 2013. Page 25 of the study). >>> >>> >>> https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/65765/Lincoln-Station-Planning-Study-3-27-2014bwfinal >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 11:02â¯AM melinda bruno-smith < >>> melindabr...@hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I too thought the town was interested in developing or at least >>>> maintaining its commercial center. >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> Melinda Bruno-Smith >>>> >>>> On Nov 12, 2023, at 10:44 AM, Margaret Olson <s...@margaretolson.com> >>>> wrote: >>>>  >>>> We have no guarantees that the RLF will maintain Donelan's either. If >>>> Donelan's is not sufficiently profitable they will leave, and the RLF may >>>> or may not be willing and able to set their rent at a level that keeps them >>>> profitable. >>>> >>>> A note on the 2014 study: much of the research on the impact of the >>>> train was conducted at noon on a public holiday. >>>> >>>> On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 10:07â¯AM Karla Gravis <karlagra...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I want to emphasize that the Mall is currently a profitable >>>>> concern.The RLF disclosed a rental profit of $164,571 in 2022. Details >>>>> here >>>>> <https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46132391/202341749349301024/full>. >>>>> However, if we rezone it by right, Civico would get to decide what >>>>> mix of commercial and residential to build. As a private enterprise, they >>>>> will choose to build whatever leads to the highest profits, which we know >>>>> is residential. Ms. Barnes mentioned that commercial space will be >>>>> reduced during the forum on Wednesday. We have no guarantees that >>>>> Civico would maintain Donelan's or any of the existing commercial space. >>>>> This >>>>> outcome would be at odds with our goal of supporting our commercial center >>>>> and reducing the town's carbon footprint. This is one of the reasons why >>>>> it >>>>> is so important that the Mall redevelopment goes through Town Meeting. >>>>> >>>>> It is also important to puncture the myth that building units at >>>>> Lincoln Station would do much to boost the commercial prospects of the >>>>> area: >>>>> >>>>> - The Planning Board released a Lincoln Station Planning Study in >>>>> 2014. The study concluded that each 100 units added would only support >>>>> 2,500 sq ft of space. For reference, Donelan's footprint is 20,387 sq >>>>> ft. >>>>> Study here >>>>> >>>>> <https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/65765/Lincoln-Station-Planning-Study-3-27-2014bwfinal> >>>>> - 2,500 sq ft of commercial space per 100 units is probably a very >>>>> optimistic number. The Study assumed that the leakage (% of convenience >>>>> buys by residents that happen outside of Lincoln Station) would come >>>>> down >>>>> from 80% to 50%. If we use the actual 80% leakage, those 100 units >>>>> would >>>>> only support 1,000 sq ft of space. >>>>> - In all likelihood the leakage is actually higher than 80% today >>>>> given the increased penetration of online sales in the nine years >>>>> elapsed. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> From: DJCP <djcp0...@gmail.com> >>>>>> Date: Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 08:14 >>>>>> Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Housing Choice Act and Exclusionary Zoning >>>>>> Report-the HAC will make us even more exclusive. >>>>>> To: Listserv Listserv <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> The best way to make sure commercial stays commercial is to make the >>>>>> businesses viable and the best way to do that is to make sure there are >>>>>> people shopping there. Sorry but people from other towns are not flocking >>>>>> to Lincoln to buy $10 pints of strawberries from Donelans. And I've only >>>>>> been here 5 years and have noticed the string of restaurants that have >>>>>> tried to fill the ONE space. Whether we make any changes there's no >>>>>> guarantee these businesses will stick around. That's capitalism folks. >>>>>> But >>>>>> we can help by AT LEAST zoning for more housing in the area. >>>>>> >>>>>> Diana >>>>>> Giles Rd >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Nov 12, 2023, 8:08 AM Peter Buchthal <pbucht...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Along similar lines, how can the town ensure commercial space stays >>>>>>> commercial as the new owners could easily decide to raise very high or >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> renew any commercial lease in order to build more luxury residential >>>>>>> units >>>>>>> by right as long as the project has unused housing units within the >>>>>>> zoning >>>>>>> allotment. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Peter Buchthal >>>>>>> Weston Rd >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sat, Nov 11, 2023 at 12:27 PM David Cuetos <davidcue...@gmail.com> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How can the RLF guarantee that any particular commercial space will >>>>>>>> remain once they sell the land to Civico? Are they planning to include >>>>>>>> a requirement for a supermarket in the deed? Anything else would just >>>>>>>> be a >>>>>>>> "recommendation". >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 6:09â¯PM Margo Fisher-Martin < >>>>>>>> margo.fisher.mar...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi All, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> We know that a zoning change does not âdictateâ that anything be >>>>>>>>> built or changed, but we also know that major changes WILL happen in >>>>>>>>> Lincoln, should this pass. Do any of you remember many years ago when >>>>>>>>> zoning changes were made that impacted any changes an owner could >>>>>>>>> make (as >>>>>>>>> much as a bay window) without ZBA approval on pre-existing >>>>>>>>> non-conforming >>>>>>>>> lots? Some people who are pushing for the re-zoning here are the same >>>>>>>>> people that tried to instill the fear of âmansionisationâ should we >>>>>>>>> allow >>>>>>>>> any changes to homes on less than 2 acre lots. At town meeting, they >>>>>>>>> showed >>>>>>>>> pictures of dense mid-rise housing from other towns to scare people >>>>>>>>> into >>>>>>>>> taking away the rights of the pre-existing (grandfathered) >>>>>>>>> non-conforming >>>>>>>>> lot owners. Now some of these same people are advocating for providing >>>>>>>>> similar dense mid-rise housing that they were adamantly opposed to. >>>>>>>>> What >>>>>>>>> happened to the âstewards of the land?â >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Sincerely, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Margo Martin >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 5:27 PM Margaret Olson < >>>>>>>>> s...@margaretolson.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Michelle Barnes from the RLF can confirm, but I believe Donelan's >>>>>>>>> will remain after the mall redevelopment. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> A reminder: zoning affects what the property owner has a right to >>>>>>>>> do with their property. It does not dictate that anything be built or >>>>>>>>> changed. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 4:38â¯PM Terri via Lincoln < >>>>>>>>> lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hi all, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> If I am reading the rezoning plans correctly.... the Reducition >>>>>>>>>> in retail includes eliminating Donelans and the Bank. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Is this correct? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Theresa K >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Friday, November 10, 2023 at 11:25:26 AM EST, Sara Mattes < >>>>>>>>>>> samat...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Is the alternative for the nation area to fill it with dense >>>>>>>>>>> housing, while we are told there will be reduction in retail? >>>>>>>>>>> And, that housing will only reflect the wealth gap-only 10% >>>>>>>>>>> affordable, and the rest, high-end? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> What happened to the concept of a âvibrant commercial center?â >>>>>>>>>>> What happened to a âwalkable village?â >>>>>>>>>>> What will everyone walk to as retail is reduced? >>>>>>>>>>> Each other's units? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Let us be more creative in what we can develop. >>>>>>>>>>> As Ken has suggested, we have done it in the past. >>>>>>>>>>> We seem to have lost our mojo. >>>>>>>>>>> Letâs get it back. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The HCA is NOT the answer. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> ------ >>>>>>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Nov 10, 2023, at 10:55â¯AM, Ken Hurd <kenh...@keha.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hello LincolnTalkers, >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> During the discussion on the Zoom forum hosted by the HCAWG on >>>>>>>>>>> Wednesday evening, I mentioned the recently released report on the >>>>>>>>>>> history >>>>>>>>>>> of exclusionary zoning in the Boston area. And also, for those of >>>>>>>>>>> you who >>>>>>>>>>> couldnât stay to see it following the Wednesday morning forum at >>>>>>>>>>> Town Hall, >>>>>>>>>>> below is the link to hear the presentation sponsored by The Boston >>>>>>>>>>> Foundation. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Unless we know our history, it is known that history has a >>>>>>>>>>> tendency to repeat itself. With respect to objections raised to the >>>>>>>>>>> options >>>>>>>>>>> offered by the Housing Choice Working Group, I do hope that current >>>>>>>>>>> residents can follow the example of earlier Lincoln leaders from >>>>>>>>>>> the 1970âs >>>>>>>>>>> who worked with, rather than against, the 40B mandate from the >>>>>>>>>>> state to >>>>>>>>>>> provide more affordable housing. That, and their efforts to >>>>>>>>>>> preserve land >>>>>>>>>>> in a way that could be shared with others, made Lincoln a model >>>>>>>>>>> community >>>>>>>>>>> that attracted national attention. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> With the Housing Choice Act, there is no less an opportunity to >>>>>>>>>>> combine our responsibility to provide more housing in the greater >>>>>>>>>>> Boston >>>>>>>>>>> region with helping to revive the ailing Lincoln Station area. >>>>>>>>>>> After all, >>>>>>>>>>> given our current manner of approving development around Lincoln >>>>>>>>>>> Station >>>>>>>>>>> and the fact that there has been no interest by developers in doing >>>>>>>>>>> so for >>>>>>>>>>> the past eighteen years, even with more favorable economic >>>>>>>>>>> conditions, why >>>>>>>>>>> should we expect anything different other than more empty spaces >>>>>>>>>>> available >>>>>>>>>>> for lease going forward? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I urge us to affirm the work of the Working Group to fulfill the >>>>>>>>>>> spirit of the Housing Choice Act by supporting Option C, including >>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> rezoning of the mall, to address this conundrum. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Here is the link to the report: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Exclusionary by Design: An Investigation of Zoningâs Use as a >>>>>>>>>>> Tool of Race, Class, and Family Exclusion in Bostonâs Suburbs, 1920 >>>>>>>>>>> to Today >>>>>>>>>>> <https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2023/november/exclusionary-by-design-20231108> >>>>>>>>>>> tbf.org >>>>>>>>>>> <https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2023/november/exclusionary-by-design-20231108> >>>>>>>>>>> <tbfico.png> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2023/november/exclusionary-by-design-20231108> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2023/november/exclusionary-by-design-20231108> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Respectfully, >>>>>>>>>>> Ken Hurd >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>> 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. >>>>>> 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. >>>>> 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. >>>> 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. >> 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. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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