By Ruth Ann Hendrickson
I support new and more affordable housing in Lincoln, and I’d like to see most of it in the area of the train station and the Lincoln Mall. I will therefore be supporting option C at the Special Town Meeting on December 2.
1. Option C is the best hope for retaining the retail businesses at the mall. I remember when the roof caved in and Donelan’s was out of business for over a year. We missed them terribly. If we even needed a pint of cream, we had to go out of town.
Retail is struggling all over the country, but I notice that West Concord (population 7,003 per census data: ACS 2021), which developed a large apartment complex near the Nashoba Brook a few years ago, has managed to retain real retail, not just banks and restaurants. I am hoping that with enough new housing in the mall area, we also could have a thriving retail center.
2. History shows that adding new housing enriches the town. Yes, change is always worrisome. When Farrar Pond Village near where I live was proposed, the neighbors were violently against it because of traffic fears. The traffic has not materialized, and Farrar Pond Village has turned out to be a wonderful place for Lincoln people to retire. Recently, because of the cost of housing, it has also attracted families with children, to the extent that they have built a playground.
When the town developed Lincoln Woods, people were aghast — a much denser than Farrar Pond Village, and right there in the middle of town! And yet I know someone who works at Donelan’s who is able to live there, and a friend of mine who has MS is also able to live there to be near her mother. This complex has definitely given living options to Lincoln people who needed it. The proposed new housing would again add housing for our children and those who work here.
3. Our agricultural heritage is safe. Remember, 40% of the Lincoln is permanently in conservation. Forty percent! Those fields will continue to be farmed by local farmers. Codman Community Farms belong to the town and will also remain in perpetuity. The trails we love to walk will always be there. Adding some higher density housing near the train station will not affect that.
4. Do not be fooled by Option E. Some think that, if we chose Option E, we can slow down and develop housing at our own pace under the Town Meeting process. Most of the towns around us, however, will have designated large areas as multifamily by right. What developer in his right mind would risk thousands of dollars to take a proposal to Town Meeting only to see it voted down, when he could easily go to the next town and develop something by right?
The RLF will be unable to replenish their endowment and revitalize the mall in this new housing development environment. Please vote to allow the RLF to develop the mall/housing complex by right. The RLF is a nonprofit whose mission is to assist the town of Lincoln in shaping its land-use destiny. History has show that they can be trusted to work to the town’s benefit.
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What a thoughtful, informative letter, Ruth Ann. The context and historical perspective that you provide are very helpful. You have added substantially to my intent to vote for Option C.
Barbara Slayter
This is not just a C vs. E debate. Options D-1, D-2, and D-3 all offer the same benefit as C in terms of rezoning the Mall and rezoning some other parcels in South Lincoln. The question for me is how much South Lincoln development besides the Mall itself are we willing to enable.
Jennifer Glass’ excellent presentation materials at yesterday’s Mothers Out Front meeting very well-articulated what our choices are, in terms of what areas could be developed in reality, depending on what the property owners decide to do. As I understand what was presented, in the case of D-3, it’s the Mall plus the properties across the street, with a maximum potential of 262 new units. In the case of D-1 or D-2, it’s the Mall plus the properties across the street and properties within the Lincoln Rd./Codman Rd./Lewis St. rectangle, with a maximum potential of 383 new units. In the case of C, it’s the Mall plus the properties across the street, properties within the aforementioned rectangle, and properties further along Codman Rd. down to 117, with a maximum potential of 480 new units.
My opinion is that D-3 offers us a big chunk of what many want – redevelop the Mall and open the door to nearby by-right multi- family housing (across the street) – and offers what some, like me, want, which is a chance to see what happens if as many as 262 new housing units are added to that area, before we enable even more within the rectangle and along Codman. Reasonable people can debate the merits of all options. My two cents, in hopes of stimulating rational dialogue.
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that pzbsquirrel is Peter Braun!
I think Ruth Ann is correct. Option C is the only one that actually offers proximity to the MBTA station for all the new units. More dense population should invigorate the retail center as a whole. It does in other communities. And the RLF is a competent group focused on the core area.
The D1-3 options are diversions. North Lincoln has no meaningful public transportation (I live there), and in the unlikely event that any new units get built at Lincoln North or Battle Road Farm, the residents would more likely drive to Concord Center for local shopping. Who does that benefit?
Option E offers real downside and minimal upside. We are the town that dawdled away the opportunity for millions in state funding because we couldn’t get to agreement on the school design. Exempting the town center from this plan expecting us to manage it effectively going forward via Town Meeting and so forth is just crazy.
Let’s vote for option C and allow our Town center generally to grow where it clearly has the ability to do, around a transportation hub and with actual shopping in walking distance. Maybe we’d be able to sustain a real restaurant at some point?
Steven Kanner
Due to a long-standing family committment out of state, I am unable to attend the Special Town Meeting on Saturday but hope those in favor of option C will turn out to vote! Thank you to HCWG for all of your hard work.
Julie Brogan
Old Sudbury Road
Ruth Ann,
thank you for taking the time to write an obvious and thoughtful perspective on the housing issue. I envision a center in my future as an aging Lincoln resident where I can walk to buy my food, stop for a coffee with a friend who is out for their paper, and have a gentle walk. Both of us in hopes of some social interaction. I see myself sitting among a diverse group of cafe goers, shoppers, and business people of all ages having coffee and conversation. Option C will provide the opportunity for stronger retail, services, diverse housing, healthier lifestyles, and socialization modeled more after a small Village life that is proven to benefit everyone. Not to mention less auto traffic.