Everyone is sympathetic to housing and new people. The issue is where to build. The overwhelming voice is to exclude the Lincoln station area until a full analysis is done. Congestion, transport and environment are the issues. Hence the appeal is for distributed housing. To sell the Lincoln station area for residential development without analysis would be suicidal for the town. I am speaking on behalf of many who wish to live here and develop the town wholesome retaining its character. Best regards, Bijoy Misra
On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 10:19 AM DJCP <djcp0...@gmail.com> wrote: > First, I did not say I wanted people from other towns flocking here. I > said the opposite. > > Second, I would love to maintain the rural character of Lincoln, too, but > the fact is we have a severe housing shortage not just in Massachusetts but > across the country. Families who work full time, multiple jobs cannot > afford apartments, much less condos or homes. There are people looking to > step into home ownership who can't because they are priced out. The > Massachusetts shelter system is full, not just from refugees and > immigrants, but from people who cannot find housing, no matter how much > assistance they have. So, yes, even luxury condos would help. (Though I > see the town's commendable track record of negotiating a higher level of > affordable housing and trust them to continue to do the same.) But it is > also true that Lincoln's exclusionary zoning - which has maintained the > rural character we love - has contributed to the housing crisis. Lastly, > I would love more taxpayers to come to town because in the end I am also a > capitalist and would like to see my taxes go down. So I can buy berries > for my kids with abandon. > > Diana > Giles Rd > > On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 9:45 AM gail o'keefe <gailoke...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Why on earth would we want people from other towns flocking to Lincoln >> for their groceries?? The beauty of Lincoln's current commercial area is it >> provides just what the town needs, and not more. This is an environmentally >> sound model, if not one for thriving capitalism. Lincoln's affordable >> housing can be expanded without giving up control to developers. >> >> Many people move to Lincoln specifically to avoid the traffic and >> commercial pressures that are evident in neighboring towns, once >> beautifully semi-rural, now overbuilt with strip malls. Lincoln has been >> preserved over the decades by careful planning and zoning. >> >> As an example of developer-friendly zoning, Lexington has long had >> commercial zoning in the center, yet there are empty storefronts and over a >> dozen random banks. There are only two restaurants that have lasted over >> the years, dozens have shuttered. Zoning for the benefit of developers >> doesn't guarantee businesses will come, or stay. Belmont is also struggling >> with empty storefronts, it is happening across the region. Developers come >> and go, but residents are left with the developers' decisions, rarely based >> on the long term goals of the town. This is not a good model for Lincoln. >> If Lincoln cedes control to developers, it is in perpetuity, it can't be >> reversed. >> >> Many in town hope that the working group of the HCA ruling will slow the >> process, take the necessary time to address the concerns of the >> townspeople, and allow alternative choices on the ballot. >> >> Gail O'Keefe >> >> >> >> On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 8:14 AM DJCP <djcp0...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> 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 6:09 PM Margo Fisher-Martin < >>>>> margo.fisher.mar...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi All, >>>>>> >>>>>> We know that a zoning change does not “dictate” 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 “mansionisation” 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 “stewards of the land?” >>>>>> >>>>>> 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 4:38 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 “vibrant commercial center?” >>>>>>>> What happened to a “walkable village?” >>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>> Let’s get it back. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The HCA is NOT the answer. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ------ >>>>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Nov 10, 2023, at 10:55 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 >>>>>>>> couldn’t 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 1970’s 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 Zoning’s Use as a Tool >>>>>>>> of Race, Class, and Family Exclusion in Boston’s 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. > >
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