Planning Board candidate Lin Jensen knows that a neighborhood’s feel is important to residents. Growing up in a Beijing apartment during a “much worse” housing crisis, three generations of her family shared a room without indoor plumbing.
“I know how a ray of sunlight or cherry blossoms outside a window can bring in the beauty of nature and brighten up your mood, whether it is an apartment or a house,” Jensen said.
Jensen lived in apartments in Manhattan, New Jersey, and Germany before settling in her first single-family home in Lexington. If elected to the Planning Board next month, she hopes to use that firsthand experience to champion creative, data-driven efforts for better, denser housing and sustainable practices.
“Zoning is more complex than numbers and density,” said Jensen. “My international and diverse background as a Chinese immigrant, and having worked and lived on three continents of the world, gives me a different perspective. I think it’s time to plan better, based on data, research, and regional best practices, and develop creative solutions that benefit current and future residents.”
At last year’s Town Meeting, Jensen was at the center of the debate around Article 34, the Town’s plan for more multi-family housing to comply with the state’s new MBTA Communities Act, which requires towns served by public transit to change their zoning laws to allow by-right multi-family housing. Jensen felt the proposed bylaws regarding sizing and location were not specific enough to Lexington’s needs.
Jensen and a group of citizens proposed an amendment to decrease the amount of land the Town allotted by about half. The group, including fellow Planning Board candidate Tina McBride, felt that 227 acres was given to the state’s plan too quickly.
“We were not happy with the setbacks and we thought the height [per unit] could be adjusted for specific districts,” Jensen said.
“Also with [the] MBTA act, we’re not allowed to limit the size [of units],” she said. “You can build 3,000 square feet or more, or you can build smaller ones, we don’t know,” she said.
Jensen thought more could have been done before last year’s Town Meeting to compromise and hear feedback from residents. She launched a last-minute write-in campaign for Planning Board to try and address this, saying that the communication between Board members and residents needed improvement.
“We have MBTA requirements, and then we have Lexington-style, where we get what we want customized for our town,” she said. “I think we had our opportunity, and even at that time, some of the planning board members literally said ‘We’re kind of rushed, but let’s throw it to the Town Meeting and hear feedback.’ That is not the time for feedback, feedback time is before you propose [a law].”
One of her main priorities, she said, is improving the processes of how the Town passes laws like Article 34.
“People say, ‘well, we have the same goal, it doesn’t matter how we get there,’” Jensen said. “And I personally disagree because I think we can get there better. If you work in any business, you know processes are key in reaching intended goals.”
If elected to the Planning Board, Jensen is also interested in finding creative routes to conservation and sustainability.
When asked what she would do with a million dollars, the first thing that came to mind was a Town Tree Fund and inventory that “keeps track of all the trees, and could maybe even send a thank you letter to the residents for having them.”
“I just learned last week that the best place to plant a tree is actually along the street because [they] belong to the town and others, and they cover the road,” said Jensen. “And then the temperature and air are better regulated too.”
She thinks her background in corporate finance and her more recent grassroots environmental advocacy would be valuable as a Board member.
“I am analytical and data-driven,” she said.
But after living across three continents, Jensen said that learning from others was the biggest throughline that qualifies her for Planning Board.
“I love learning from other people because people know so much,” she said. “All you need to do is leverage the knowledge, you don’t have to know this, they will tell you because people are so passionate about what they do.”
As a former Lexington Planning Board chairperson and as a current Lexington Permanent Building Committee member I encourage you to consider Lin Jensen for election to the Lexington Planning Board. Lin will use her analytical skills to ensure that the Article 34 MBTA Housing Bylaw will ensure that new multi-family housing opportunities will be available to our next generation, workforce and seniors while achieving “smart growth” while advancing complementary Planning Board goals.
I support Lin Jensen for Planning Board, who is in favor of a more participatory process associated with the impacts of Article 34. She supports a process that is open to compromise and refinement, and aimed at more effectively addressing the intent of the zoning change, which is to be more inclusionary. We would be well served by a vision which is sensitive to multiple objectives, certainly for more housing, but designed with sensitivity to the context where it will be developed.
As a resident trained in architecture, and an abutter to the Marrett Road Article 34 MBTA zoning change, I was dismayed when I learned about its potential impact on our neighborhood. While single family houses have gotten larger and higher, this zoning change would allow up to 60’ in height (up to 5 stories plus roof top equipment), much higher than the buildings in our town center. I also understand that the zoning change doesn’t address the size of the units, so they may be so large as to be unaffordable by most homebuyers. The houses on Downing Road are part of the Fair Oaks historic area, where in recent years, larger houses have needed specific Historic Commission approval relative to height and demolition approval. I learned about the specific, as-of-right impact that Article 34 would have on our neighborhood only days before the town meeting vote last April, and only because a neighbor had put a flyer in my mailbox with images and the facts. I am not opposed to building new housing in the area, but the 60’ allowance on this relatively small footprint is out of proportion with the adjacent housing stock, which allows only 40’ (2.5 stories) as a maximum height. While I signed a petition to allow for more detailed and locational review by adjacent residents, this approach was not accepted by Town Meeting, which approved the proposed Article 34. Lin Jensen is recommending a holistic review of the proposed changes, including multiple objectives, open communication with residents aimed at productive compromise, and locational sensitivity, beyond density alone as the goal.
I’m in support of Lin Jenson for planning board. Lin has the experience and dedication we need in Lexington. Our town has strayed from is original vision, outgrowing its natural footprint. Lin will help regain a positive direction for Lexington with analysis, compassion and love of the environment.
Having had the privilege of collaborating with Lin Jensen on our article about the the LPS Green Teams, I’ve witnessed firsthand her dedication and innovative approach to environmental stewardship. As a co-founder of the Green Team, Lin has already demonstrated her commitment to sustainable development and community engagement. Her candidacy for the planning board is a promising step towards integrating these values into the broader planning and development initiatives. Lin’s vision, leadership, and proven track record make her an exemplary candidate for the planning board, where I am confident she will continue to advocate for responsible and forward-thinking community planning.
While Lexington has a high turnout for presidential elections, there is a low turn out for our local elections – which actually have a significant impact on our daily lives here in town. Lexington is a microcosm of the world and, while the town does a lot well, there is much room for improvement as developers have a growing impact on the town, the environmental impact of climate change continues to increase, and the need to protect diverse voices becomes increasingly intense as national politics becomes more divisive and extreme. I’d like to see some new energy and perspectives on our Planning Board. I know Lin Jenson personally and she is dedicated, date-driven and persistent! Lin is committed to making positive change in Lexington. Vote Early and Vote for Lin Jenson for Planning Board!
Bravo! As far as I can tell the Planning Board made an irredeemable muddle out of the MBTA requirements for many reasons, including the emperor’s new clothes problem of confusing MBTA requirements with the need for affordable housing, in the process, potentially allowing private developers to tear up existing neighborhoods.
I welcome a skeptical, but creative review!