When candidate Melanie Thompson ran for her first term on the Planning Board in 2021, it was a steep learning curve. A long-time Lexington resident, Thompson said she had followed the changes the town had made over the years. But, when she was elected three years ago, she first saw the backend of zoning and site plans not normally seen by the public.
A self-described life-long learner, Thompson took it upon herself to take educational courses in zoning, planning, site plan review, and fair housing to familiarize herself with the work she was charged with. She said she is continuing this education to this day.
“I will always ask when I don’t know. This is not something that you can learn in a short period of time,” Thompson said. “(Taking the courses) was a very important matter to take up so that I’d be equipped with the knowledge and the expertise necessary to make informed decisions for the town.”
Thompson said she is proud of the important zoning legislation that was passed by the Planning Board in the last term, including Lexington’s plan for the MBTA Communities Act, a project which would not have been completed if not for the successful collaboration between Planning Board members.
The MBTA Communities Act is an effort to address the state’s housing crisis by mandating that communities served by public transit develop multi-family housing. Lexington was commended by Gov. Maura Healey for passing an ambitious plan to comply, and for being one of the first towns to do so.
“When you’re talking about zoning and planning for something in town, it takes a long time to get things done, and there’s always a back and forth on it. But, sometimes, once the project gets done, it just looks so great,” Thompson said. “I believe that collaboration makes a big difference in creating a successful development.”
Thompson is running for re-election to one of two open seats on the Planning Board against three challengers, including another incumbent and two newcomers. If re-elected, Thompson said she wants to continue her collaborative work on rezoning improvements, housing, sustainability and diversity in zoning.
“I would like to be re-elected because I think it matters that the people that helped work on the legislation and the zoning get to start working implementing it,” she said.
Thompson believes her knowledge of the town, coupled with her focus on collaborative engagement with other officials and residents, as well as her background in business and real estate, sets her apart from other candidates.
“People find me (to be) welcoming to talk with about issues,” she said. “I’m a great listener when it comes to people’s housing. I mean, as a homeowner myself in town, I know how important homes are to people.”
Thompson also lauded the Planning Board’s upzoning of Hartwell Ave in its last session. When thinking about the town’s planning and development moving forward, Thompson said her focus on diversity and creating diverse housing options would be at the forefront. Lexington’s Comprehensive Plan, a policy document that serves as direction for the town’s land use and physical development, has a goal of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion for residents.
“We just need more housing. We need more market-rate housing for the average-income people,” she said. “Everything should not continue to be conventional subdivisions, but there should be more site-sensitive developments within the MBTA communities.”
“I think (inclusion) is an important part of zoning — including people of various income levels, abilities, or ethnicities,” she said. “These are the things that impact Lexington. I’d like to continue to be part of discussing issues that impact our town.”
Learn more at www.melaniethompson.org.
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