I encourage voters to consider the candidacies of Lin Jensen and Tina McBride for Planning Board, who are in favor of a more participatory process associated with the impacts of Article 34. They support 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. Both Lin Jensen and Tina McBride recommend 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.
Hello Everyone,
As a long-time housing advocate, I am writing to dispute the claims in this letter about the MBTA Communities Act and the activities of the Planning Board leading up to the Town Meeting vote.
· The MBTA Communities Act was crafted as a response to a real human crisis – the housing crisis in Massachusetts. Many factors have contributed to this crisis, from government-sanctioned racial discrimination practices to the skyrocketing costs of home ownership and rental costs in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, housing production has not kept up with demand and this puts the greatest pressure on those individuals and families with the least financial resources. This downward pressure increases homelessness. Without more housing production, homelessness will rise and more families will be living in substandard housing, or shelters, or in their cars, or in illegal campgrounds. I have borne witness to the harm caused to families with children by this crisis. I know that the longer communities like Lexington continue to ‘discuss’ rather than approve development of more housing more harm will be done.
I believe the most critical element of achieving racial equity is to provide affordable and low-income housing in communities with the greatest resources. In January of 2021, some of the most sweeping zoning reforms in forty years in Massachusetts were signed into law as part of house bill H.5250, “An Act enabling partnerships for growth.” In their support for this legislation, CHAPA, the Citizens Housing and Planning Association, stated, “A shortage of affordable homes, decades of restrictive zoning, and a history of gentrification and redlining continue to perpetuate segregation in our state. The housing provisions in the Economic Development bill are much-needed tools for systemic change towards more equitable housing policy. With these tools, communities will be able to create more homes for people who need them while preventing displacement and promoting fair housing for all.”
I strongly object to the claim that there was not enough community input prior to the vote on Article 34. The following is a review of the community outreach prior to the Town Meeting vote.
The Planning Director, Staff, and the Planning Board held 23 public meetings from May 2022- March 2023, including a community workshop, 8 public work sessions, and 3 public hearings and public presentations where the public, community members, property owners, and Town Meeting members were invited and encouraged to participate.
At an October 2022 Community Workshop, 80 residents were introduced to the proposal and were asked to identify general locations for housing.
The resident-created maps from the this workshop were combined and served as the basis for the Planning Board’s proposed districts. The Board intentionally considered a wide variety of districts in different parts of the Town, with different types of existing development, and with different dimensional standards.
Prior to a February 1, 2023 Public Hearing, the Town used various communication channels to publicize the public hearing, including postcards to all affected property owners. Over 200 people attended this hearing. A total of 94 written comments were submitted during the public hearings and considered by the Planning Board.
The Planning Director and Planning Board created an Article #34 slide deck presentation which was available to Town Meeting and the public.
Seven committees wrote letters of support for Article #34:
o The Housing Partnership Board
o The Select Board
o Economic Development Advisory Committee
o Lexington Center Committee
o Lexington Human Rights Committee
o Planning Board
o LexHAB – Lexington Housing Development Organization
The League of Women Voters held Three First Friday Forums on the MBTA Communities Act
March 2021 (CHAPA, DHCD, RHSO, Planning Director)
March 2022 (DHCD),
January 2023 (Planning Director and Planning Board)
This was a transparent process with many opportunities for true community involvement.
Thank you,
Melinda Walker
14 Larchmont Lane
Thank you Melinda for being the trusted voice of reason. I agree with your assessment. I was in one of those presentations and also attended some planning board meetings on this. People are free to vote from whomever they choose and also free to engage in real time during these various meetings.