To the Editor:
Following another round of meetings with neighbors, and nearly 12 years after the Flint family generously gave land to the church to expand the Stearns room, the First Parish has completed a revised and final plan. We have worked hard to respond to the concerns of neighbors, church members, and state and local authorities. The building design has undergone numerous thoughtful refinements; it will be attractive, meet the church’s needs, and be 535 sq. ft. smaller than the original sketch made in 2002. It merits Planning Board approval.
The new plan reflects the guidance of the Planning Board on Sept. 24 for “a principled path to resolution.” The board suggested that the building should be moved a few feet north so that it comes no closer to the southern lot line than it does now, and that it should not intrude on the rear and northern restricted areas drawn in the deed of land given. We have done so. The board’s decision is expected by the end of February. Further review will take place before the Historic District Commission.
The First Parish has asked for small accommodations of the zoning bylaws to build the new Stearns Room. The lot coverage will be the same 25% as it was before additional land was given in 2002 to allow an addition. The new building will be no closer to the southern lot line than it is now. It will be farther from the rear lot line than it was before the gift. Only a small section of the new building will be closer to the northern lot line than it is now, totaling about 25 sq. ft.
Some are concerned that approval of this project would create a precedent allowing other churches or schools to avoid provisions of the zoning bylaws. That is highly unlikely given the history of the church on this land since 1842, the gift of land to enable an addition, and the location in the historic center of town. Lincoln center’s unique identity has been created by the juxtaposition of varied buildings, uses, set backs and architectural styles. A new church or school elsewhere in Lincoln could not make these arguments.
An important feature of the new design is its enhanced accessibility for persons with disabilities and for our many older members and friends who attend services each week. We have devoted substantial space to widened passages and code-compliant bathrooms, and designed an accessible entrance equal in importance to the doors near the street. Those who rely on wheelchairs and walkers will find the new space and the sanctuary more welcoming.
This improved accessibility is necessary to secure the approval of the Mass. Architectural Access Board, which enforces state regulations on accessibility for persons with disabilities. Without the AAB’s approval of waivers from full compliance with AAB regulations, the First Parish could be required to make significant modifications to the sanctuary, including ramps to the street entrance, widening interior doors, and trimming the pews to widen the aisles.
Many, many people who care deeply about the First Parish, our historic center, and our community of Lincoln have labored on this project for many years. It merits approval, to allow the church to serve its members properly in a healthy, energy-efficient building, and make an attractive, thoughtful and respectful contribution to the center of our town.
Signed,
Doug Crosby, Tom DeNormandie, Dwight Gertz, Pam Hurd, Lew Lloyd,
Rick Mandelkorn, Peter Pease, Rhoda Taschiaglou and Katy Walker
—The Parish Committee of the First Parish in Lincoln
Letters to the editor must be signed and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.
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