As a former Planning Board member and chair, I appreciate the work and commitment of the current members and respect their service for the challenging work they perform. It is impressive to see that the town is now more receptive towards new multi-family housing, which has changed since my time on the Board (1994-2002). T

The Planning Board is now at the center of the housing affordability opportunity that is defined by the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act that Town Meeting has embraced with passage of Article 34 in 2023 and amended by Article 2 in 2025. The Planning Board has a leadership role in the implementation of the development of new multi-family residential and commercial uses and the equitable mitigation of development impacts.  

I believe Kunal Botla as a Planning Board member offers a forward looking voice who will work to ensure that new residential and commercial development improves the Lexington quality of life and meet the needs of current and future residents. Kunal will expand the Board’s perspective that land use and development opportunities be considered at a town-wide, neighborhood and site-specific scale to ensure high quality outcomes at each scale. Kunal is supportive of additional multi-family housing in the Town Center which I strongly support as well.  


Fred Merrill

Precinct 9

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