We write in support of Article 33, authorizing the Select Board to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of Parcel 68-44, a town-owned lot for the purposes of developing affordable housing. Parcel 68-44 was selected after considerable due diligence by the Town and the Affordable Housing Trust as the only town-owned parcel out of 299 that would be suitable for a meaningful affordable housing development. At a time when the Commonwealth is facing a housing crisis, construction of affordable housing must be prioritized wherever it can reasonably be built. 

This project is particularly exciting because 100% of the units to be built will be affordable and all will be eligible for listing on the State’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI). In recent years, affordable housing development in town has not kept pace with the development of market-rate units. This project will help to keep the town in compliance with the requirement to have 10% of its units on the SHI and maintain the town’s control over local zoning decisions. As you know, if the Town falls below 10% it would become subject to unfriendly 40B developments that would be allowed to override local zoning. 

Article 33 is a key first step to advancing this project so that it can be evaluated further and an RFP issued to find a suitable developer. Because the Town owns the parcel and will continue to do so throughout the permitting process, it can still exercise considerable oversight of any project that would proceed following the selection of a developer and the advancement of design drawings. Should Article 33 pass, there will be many future public meetings at which the Select Board, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Design Advisory Committee, and many other public bodies will discuss, debate, and deliberate about the specifics of this project. We encourage Town leaders to provide a robust public process so that neighbors and residents can weigh in on the particulars of what will ultimately get built. 

We remain excited about the potential of this land transaction to create a tremendous amount of public benefit. This article offers an opportunity for the town to put its values into motion and help advance the principles expressed in “LexingtonNext,” the town’s recently adopted Comprehensive Plan. Lexingtonians should take great pride in the vision and goals of “LexingtonNext,” and in its recent, 1st in the Commonwealth, action to comply with the State’s MBTA Zoning laws. 

At the State level, we know how utterly urgent it is for our economy, and our wellbeing, that more affordable housing gets built at the fastest possible rate. We are thrilled that the Town is being so forward-thinking in evaluating its surplus properties with an eye towards building more much-needed affordable housing. 

We ask that you vote in support of this article. 

Sincerely, 

Representative Michelle Ciccolo, Precincts 1-5, 7-9

Representative Kenneth Gordon, Precinct 6


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