To the editor:
The Lincoln Housing Commission and Affordable Housing Trust are co-sponsoring the Oriole Landing Project at Town Meeting on Saturday, March 24.
The project, located at 1 Mary’s Way and presented in Warrant Article 30, is the result of a truly collaborative effort over the past six months involving multiple town boards and committees, Civico Development, and extensive public input. Because of these efforts, we believe Oriole Landing will benefit the residents of Lincoln in the following ways:
- It will significantly increase the town’s inventory of affordable rental housing. As 15 (25 percent) of Oriole Landing’s units will be set aside as affordable, the state Department of Housing and Community Development will count all of the project’s 60 units towards Lincoln’s subsidized housing inventory (SHI). This will fulfill Lincoln’s Chapter 40B requirements for the next several decades while also meeting Lincoln’s high standards for responsible development and protecting our town’s rural character.
- It will provide a diversity of housing opportunities our town currently lacks: moderately priced one- and two-bedroom apartments to appeal to young professionals and “empty nesters” looking to downsize and stay in Lincoln.
- The 15 “affordable” units will be for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Of these units, 10 will be reserved as “local preference” for Lincoln residents, employees of the town or local businesses, and families with children in the Lincoln Public Schools.
- Oriole Landing will enable the town to fulfill one of the long-term goals identified in the Housing Commission’s 2014 Housing Plan: expanding our housing stock to serve a broader spectrum of Lincoln residents.
Lincoln’s SHI is anticipated to fall below 10 percent in 2020, making the town vulnerable to 40B high-density housing developmens similar to projects under consideration and/or construction in Weston, Wayland, and Sudbury today. In fact, at least four prior developers made inquiries with the town about the six-acre Mary’s Way property since it was listed for sale, discussing developments ranging in size from 125–250 units.
To arrive at where we are today, many town boards and committees, through multiple public forums, hearings, and informational sessions, have worked diligently to identify and address the many concerns and issues raised about this project, including:
- Traffic — The town conducted an independent peer review of the traffic study performed by Civico and as a result, a condition of the project will include a “no right turn” restriction during peak commuting hours to help mitigate the potential traffic impact to the neighborhood. Additionally, neighborhood feedback has made it clear that there are already existing roadway and pedestrian safety issues which the Board of Selectman have committed to prioritize in addressing. Civico has also pledged $25,000 to the town’s Complete Streets program to be targeted for this neighborhood.
- School enrollment — Civico estimated nine to 16 new school age children while the town’s own independent peer review of the fiscal impact and project finances estimated seven7. Our school administrators state that enrollment constantly fluctuates for a wide variety of reasons. They are confident that Oriole Landing’s contribution to the student population will be well within what the school system already experiences annually, and which it has both the expertise and resources to respond to.
- Financial contribution — The Affordable Housing Trust will support this project with a $1 million loan to secure a permanent deed restriction that ensures that all 60 units at Oriole Landing will remain on Lincoln’s subsidized housing inventory in perpetuity. Lincoln’s peer review consultant has reviewed the project finances and determined that this sum is important to the project’s overall financially viability.
- Historical Commission — Civico and the Historical Commission have agreed that the historic home on the property (Dexter C. Harris House, c. 1870) will be relocated and restored for use as a garden house.
- No variation from submittal — If approved, the project cannot be substantially changed in the future without requiring another Town Meeting vote (which needs a two-thirds approval), ensuring the property must be developed in accordance with the will of the town.
The Housing Commission’s 2014 Housing Plan’s goals included providing housing for young couples, empty nesters seeking to downsize, those who work in town, and those connected to Lincoln in other ways. Oriole Landing will enable the town to create moderately priced local housing opportunities in a cost-efficient manner, rather than pursuing the inefficient and expensive task of incrementally increasing Lincoln’s subsidized housing stock to keep pace with new home construction.
If approved, the Housing Commission and Affordable Housing Trust will be able to turn their focus toward other important housing initiatives, such as working with the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee to explore housing opportunities in the Lincoln Station area.
You have an important role in determining the shape and direction of Lincoln’s future. Please join us this Saturday at Town Meeting, participate in the discussion, and vote. Lincoln’s Board of Selectmen, Housing Commission, Affordable Housing Trust, and Planning Board have all endorsed this project. We ask that you support it too, by voting “yes” in favor of Warrant Article 30. See the websites below for more information.
- Lincoln Planning Department site on Oriole Landing offers the town’s point of view.
- The Housing Commission’s web page detailing the town’s affordable housing history, goals, and challenges, and how the Oriole Landing project addresses them.
- Civico Development’s Oriole Landing project website highlights communications with the community.
Sincerely,
James Craig and George Georges
Co-chairs, Lincoln Affordable Housing Trust
Allen Vander Meulen
Chair, Lincoln Housing Commission
Pamela Gallup
Lincoln housing consultant
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