Meet the candidates for the Planning Board: Kunal Botla, Bob Creech, and Lin Jensen (click the images below to read an in-depth profile for each candidate).
This year, there are three candidates running for two spots on the board, making this the only competitive town-wide race.
Lexington’s Planning Board is made up of five community volunteers tasked with short- and long-term planning for the town. The board primarily focuses on land use and development, but also reviews special permit applications.
Members on the Planning Board are elected to three year terms. This year, there are three candidates running for two spots on the board, making this the only competitive town-wide race.
LexObserver sat with each candidate to learn about their motivations, backgrounds, and experiences.
We are fortunate to have two extremely well qualified, experienced and dedicated candidates – Lin Jensen and Bob Creech, for the Planning Board. The third, also exceptional candidate, Kunal Botla, is person who gives me hope for our future. That said, I expect that due to the HUGE learning curve that a new planning board member faces, and the large fiscal risk to the Town and its residents if PB makes erroneous/unwise decisions, it is critical that we elect board members who are likely to serve multiple terms. Kunal is a undergraduate college student who will be looking to advance his career in couple of years. He would be unwise to commit to serving more than one term (and perhaps not even that). This is the reason that I cannot support the election of Kunal to the Planning Board, though I hope that he continues to serve on the Transportation Committee and in Town Meeting. Thank you for your service Kunal! Please join me in electing Lin Jensen and Bob Creech to the Planning Board.
Thank you to the Observer for these great profiles and helping us get to know the personal side of the candidates. I was a strong supporter of Kunal Botla before I read the profiles, and even more so now. Hearing Kunal speak at town candidate forums, you can’t help but be impressed by his energy, depth of knowledge, openness to new ideas, and creative thinking. He also has a strong track record of effective public service as a Town Meeting member and Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee. I am concerned by the decline in elementary school enrollment, that the steady tear down of smaller homes combined with soaring median home prices is pricing young professionals, new families, and town employees out of the market. As someone who is building his future in Lexington, Kunal would be an exceptional addition to our Planning Board as it considers the needs of our town today and into the future.
Running a Respectful and Solutions-Oriented Campaign:
From the solutions-oriented and respectful way Kunal has run his campaign, it is clear that he is running for Planning Board not just because he is against something or someone, but because he brings the technical knowledge, collaborative relationships, and genuine care.
We need our Planning Board members to be able to serve our town alongside fellow Planning Board members and our excellent professional staff across departments and what Kunal brings is essential for this.
Already Proven His Commitment and Acumen:
Kunal has already done significant work for our town, more than many of us do in our lifetimes:
His analysis played a key part in bringing improvements to MBTA service in town
Supported the advancement of the $20 unlimited Lexpress pass.
And there is much more than can fit into a single comment. Check out his performance at the League of Women Voters Forum (https://share.google/lUhSCH3rZA5gBzlk0), check out his website (votekunal.com) or email him and ask him directly: kunal@votekunal.com
Multi-displinary Academic Training in Archicecture and Planning:
His academic training is exactly what we need on our Planning Board. At Tufts University, his Architectural Studies program integrates urban planning, design, and engineering. As the program describes:
“The program’s signature multidisciplinary curriculum takes full advantage of Tufts’ unique assets as a liberal arts college, including its Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, its studio arts offerings at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, and the university’s School of Engineering.”
Addressing Criticism with Respect, but Focused on the Future:
Kunal has kept his campaign focused on practical solutions and technical realities, only addressing criticism when necessary.
Many of the criticisms raised against him do not engage with his actual contributions or proposals. Instead, they focus on his age, his multigenerational living situation, or a single vote.
I’m very glad I got to know Kunal and his wonderful family through this election.