So, without the CIVICO/Panetta part of the deal, Farmington is constrained to the Rt.2 access. Any future owner of the Farrington property would be constrained to the same, no? Without direct access to Page Rd., the value of the Farrington property is less than with Page Rd. access, correct?
The Panettas can sell, without this project, correct? Any large development, without the CIVICO/Panetta component would not have direct impact on Page Rd, correct? And finally, do you or anyone have a map that delineates the wetlands that are involved in the land under discussion? Of the land being restricted, how much is wet and how much is buildable? Clarification would be extremely helpful. > On May 31, 2025, at 11:39 AM, Joseph Kolchinsky <[email protected]> > wrote: > > It's a fair question - why housing when conservation is the focus? I address > this specific question in the QA I posted. Below for convenience, but the > entire document is here <https://docsend.com/view/h33hxc7zvdstqa2d>. > > Q: Why can’t this be simpler if the focus is on conservation? > > A: At first glance, a straightforward deal - funding Farrington in exchange > for conservation - might seem like the easiest path. But the key to > understanding this proposal is recognizing Farrington’s need for access to > Page Road (see image below). Their current exit onto Route 2 is suboptimal, > and without Page Road access, Farrington has made clear they are not > interested in this deal. > > > (Rural Lincoln Foundation - Nature Link Presentation) - orange line added by > me > > Farrington could sell their land outright for a higher price (that we may not > afford) and relocate outside of Lincoln; worse to a third party with > large-development intentions. The Panettas will move on and sell to someone > else, likely removing any chance for community-driven benefit. What brings > the cost down - and opens the door to permanent conservation - is > Farrington’s willingness to stay in exchange for a second egress in > combination with a developer’s interest in purchasing Panetta’s land. > > The only viable access to Page Road is through the Panetta property. The > Panettas are willing to sell, but understandably, they want a certain price > in exchange, which they’ve set at $3.3M. Multiple developers engaged in > negotiation (based on my conversations with RLF), but only Civico was willing > to pay the price the Panettas set and participate in the process. While the > Panettas could sell independently, this is a rare chance for the community to > tie their sale to a broader community outcome: conservation, housing, and > infrastructure, all in one. > > Yes, other options may exist, but this opportunity has a shelf life. If the > deal fails, each party will do what’s best for them. Farrington may sell, > opening the door to higher-impact development. The Panettas may move on, > taking the chance for a coordinated solution with them. > > Nature Link is a community-forged compromise: it protects open space, > supports mixed-income housing, sustains a local nonprofit, and gives Lincoln > control over what happens next. > > > > > Joseph Kolchinsky > 978-604-0827 > On Sat, May 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM, Sara Mattes <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> Then let’s just talk “conservation”…why a large project of expensive homes! >> >> >>> On May 31, 2025, at 11:12 AM, RAandBOB <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> The difference between this project and the housing projects Sarah linked >>> in her email is that this project has a definite benefit to the town in >>> terms of 75 acres of conservation land in an area that has always been >>> designated as appropriate land for conservation. Therefore, you wouldn’t >>> necessarily expect the town to be neutral on this project. >>> >>> Ruth Ann >>> (She, her, hers) >>> >>>> On May 31, 2025, at 10:44 AM, DJCP <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Yes, it is incredibly frustrating to see the HCA play out again when this >>>> project satisfies the concerns about "too much density" by Lincoln Station >>>> by not being in Lincoln Station and being along Route 2, and yet >>>> unsubstantiated accusations of a developer being embedded in the PB are >>>> being lobbed even though TWO candidates who were vocal anti-HCAers are now >>>> on the PB! >>>> >>>> What do people who oppose this project even stand for?? It's so easy to >>>> oppose everything. >>>> >>>> Diana >>>> One resident who lives on Giles Rd and who is speaking for herself >>>> >>>> On Sat, May 31, 2025 at 10:29 AM ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> It’s frustrating to see the same core issues from the HCA debate >>>> resurface. >>>> >>>> I am completely on board with any unbiased information being posted to the >>>> website that includes official documents submitted to the town, upcoming >>>> meetings and/or public hearings that address the topic, without promoting >>>> or discouraging the proposal in anyway- these are all great ways to ensure >>>> residents are informed, but NOT influenced by the town website. >>>> >>>> The town website is funded by tax payer dollars and should not be used to >>>> promote a private party’s interest by hosting unvetted FAQs, and >>>> especially without allowing an opposing party to also submit their own >>>> FAQs. >>>> >>>> Here are some examples of how other towns handle similar proposals: >>>> >>>> https://sudbury.ma.us/pcd/2017/02/06/the-coolidge-phase-2-comprehensive-permit-application-2/ >>>> >>>> https://concordma.gov/3442/Residences-at-Thoreau-Comp-Permit-Applic >>>> >>>> https://www.lexingtonma.gov/932/Current-Projects >>>> >>>> Sarah Postlethwait >>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>> 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 [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>> 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 [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>> 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 [email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>. >> 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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