For over a year I have been following plans to construct what are now 15 proposed townhouses directly adjacent to a certified vernal pool in the Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) and on land that is part of the historic battleground of Bloody Bluff and Fiske Hill.

I am concerned that, in an effort to address a housing shortage using bylaws meant to accelerate multifamily units (the by-right “Special Residential Development” zoning), the town has unfortunately included an area within the National Park’s legislative boundary, an area designated by our Congress in 1991.

The MMNHP is listed as one of the 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust For Historic Preservation ( https://friendsofminuteman.org/minute-man-named-one-of-11-most-endangered-historic-places/ ). If approved for townhouses, 7.5 acres of land Congress set aside as significant will be lost.

The Superintendent of the MMNHP has written three letters about the historical and environmental importance of the land proposed for development. While the Conservation Commission does what it can to be sure wetland bylaws are being followed, the Planning Board is bound to follow town bylaws for Special Residential Development as they are now written. The current bylaws don’t address a situation within the National Park’s administrative boundary.

Lexington reaps economic benefits from the stream of tourists who come to see historic sites related to National Park. (A study in 2023 estimated 1 million visitors spent $6.7 million in communities near the park). The amphibians and insects born in the vernal pool need to migrate to the surrounding lands to live out their lifecycle.

There is a lot at stake if this development proceeds as planned. I hope this development can be scaled back significantly. The Planning Board will discuss this project on October 7 and Conservation Commission on October 20.

Janet Lane

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