Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s worth clarifying that despite what some have indicated in recent discussions, there are not “many neighboring towns” rejecting the HCA. In fact, of the 177 towns/cities that fall under the law, I can only identify one town, Holden, that continues to reject the law (several other communities that missed the initial 1/2023 deadline to submit a zoning plan have since submitted theirs and are now in compliance). Holden’s situation is — one could argue — a bit unique in that they have no MBTA service within the town boundary (and indeed, the town manager did initially claim that they “didn’t realize” they were considered an MBTA community). It’s also worth noting that Holden is now being sued by the Central MA Housing Alliance for non-compliance, and the MA attorney general’s office has indicated they intend to as well.
While I begrudgingly support adding a “None of the Above” option to the December ballot, I think it’s foolhardy to even consider an outright rejection of the HCA. Do we really want to lose access to millions in grants while also becoming “that town” that is resisting any and all change? Best, Eben > On Nov 14, 2023, at 11:39 PM, Bijoy Misra <misra.bi...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Dear friends, > It seems that there are some vocal members in HCAWG who are > deeply concerned about the housing crisis in the State and would > like to let the town volunteer itself to help alleviate the problem. > This is a noble thought and I for one would strongly endorse > such a view. Many other friends are not averse to it either. > What we have been saying, as i said four years ago, that the > housing develop at Lincoln Center should be determined by > the town public and not through passion or emotion. Real estate > once developed becomes a fixture. The town center should be > owned by the townspeople rather than a third party developer. > I beg the Select Board to encourage development but exclude > town center. Let any center development be properly planned > with an eye to traffic, transport, schools, playground and > affordability. There are options created by the young analysts > that would fit in 20% station (Codman Road) and 80% off station > (North Cambridge). > The town center planning through the previous SLIPAC > was rejected by the neighbors and the public. I suggest to give > an open invitation to townspeople to join in planning. > An elderly gentleman did report about the rejection of HCA by > many neighboring towns. I hear the loss to the town is minimal > compared to huge potential gain in affordable housing and the > control of land. > My request is to create an option of Reject HCA, which should > have been in the ballot anyway. > Best regards, > Bijoy Misra > > -- > 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.
