There will be no solar development on the Lexington land at the intersection of Routes 2 and 128, abutting the reservoir. The city of Cambridge completed the purchase of the parcel from Tracer Lane II Realty Trust (Tracer Lane) and its developer/owner, Harold Nahigian, in October 2024 for $3 million. The land is now designated watershed protection and no construction will take place. It is a win for water quality, trees, wildlife, and the Waltham abutters, but some would say a loss for renewable power.
Tracer Lane intended to construct and operate a 1-megawatt, ground-mounted solar energy system on a 30-acre parcel it owned in Lexington. As Cambridge’s city manager wrote in support of the purchase, “the parcel is adjacent to the Hobbs Brook Reservoir, which is the drinking water supply for the city. The proposed development would include the cutting of more than 1,000 mature trees that are critical to prevent erosion and would allow the discharge of stormwater directly into the protective area around the Reservoir. The acquisition of the parcel will allow the city to increase its ability to manage and protect the water supply.” Waltham’s website proclaims that “this is great news for the city of Waltham, as this stops construction of the proposed solar farm in Lexington and also stops the clearing of acres of trees and displacement of wildlife.”
The Waltham abutters are overjoyed with the outcome. “We are thrilled and also relieved,” said abutter Ed Sullivan. “We are very appreciative of Cambridge’s action and all the support we received from the city of Waltham and especially our mayor. I believe our opposition efforts and common-sense pushback helped move the owner to sell rather than develop.”
Waltham officially closed its involvement in the Tracer Lane matter during its May City Council meeting. In communications to constituents, Bill Hanley, Waltham City Councillor, Ward 3, who collaborated to stop the project, said, “The sale of the parcel is the outcome we hoped for after failed litigation.”
“I thank all the members of Waltham Neighbors for Safe Solar who helped protect the Ward 3 neighborhoods and I thank the City of Cambridge taxpayers for protecting this parcel and its vegetation and wildlife,” he said.
Cambridge’s purchase concludes a history of contested solar development. In 2022, the state’s Supreme Judicial Court blocked Waltham’s attempt to use zoning to halt the solar development, which needed access from Waltham. The developer, the city of Cambridge, city of Waltham, and abutters all challenged the Lexington Planning Board’s May 2023 approval of the solar project, which was issued subject to multiple conditions. Pre-trial motions and discovery led to settlement discussions in mid-2024 between Cambridge and the developer. Cambridge needed additional time to obtain state regulatory approvals and to secure funding, in part using Community Preservation Act funds.
Under Massachusetts laws enabling solar development, Lexington most likely needed to approve the project. The Lexington Tree Committee requested that there be appropriate mitigation or conditions placed on any waiver of town bylaws related to trees. The Sustainable Lexington Committee believed the public would be better served if the property could be acquired and protected for its conservation and water supply value. Bob Creech, the only member of the Lexington Planning Board to vote against approval, was not surprised by the outcome, concluding, “you don’t take a risk with a water supply.”
The outcome means a little less renewable generation in Massachusetts. Even though the 1-megawatt project is relatively small — the new Lexington High School will have over 3-megawatts of generation — every addition helps Massachusetts and Lexington meet renewable and net-zero goals.
Tracer Lane adds another case study to important discussions about the value of trees and forest relative to other socially valuable land uses like housing and solar energy production. Advocates, such as Mass Audubon, argue that Massachusetts can achieve its renewable energy goals without further loss of forest and working lands. Achieving balance will continue to challenge state and local policymakers, especially as the siting and permitting, as well as community engagement requirements take shape under the new climate bill. Clouding any of these discussions is the future cost and affordability of energy, whether it be from oil, natural gas, or clean electricity.