By Joan Kimball
I am supporting Article 3, the Housing Choice bylaw, at the March 23 Town Meeting.
Having voted in favor of Article C (with the majority) at the December Special Town Meeting, I have since read carefully the pros and cons, attended meetings about the Housing Choice Act and made my decision. I will vote yes on March 23 for the following reasons:
- Knowing that we in Massachusetts have a housing crisis, I want Lincoln to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
- I believe that we have an opportunity now, with RLF and the mall, to actually build some multiple-family housing. Building in the (relatively) near term will:
- Actually provide housing
- Be developed by an owner, RLF, who has a proven record of doing things for the town and an understanding of the town so that the development will fit Lincoln. I liked the conceptual drawing that we saw at the recent RLF meeting.
- Provide more customers for our retail businesses. We need more customers. When I go to Donelan’s, there is never a line, and when I go to other businesses, I am often the only customer. This is not sustainable.
- Create housing that is near transportation — an important aspect as we oppose climate change.
- If we do not include the mall with its potential for building housing, I strongly believe it will take years and years to actually build any housing. It is a complex and challenging undertaking. In addition, I have heard that developers do not want to risk time and investment in projects with the risk of going through Town Meeting.
- With town and private investment we can choose to increase the moderate income percentage in housing developments.
- As a former Conservation Commission member, I support development on already built land whenever possible to protect habitat on undeveloped land.
Bylaws are not specific housing developments; they are zoning “rules.” A great deal of time — as well as incorporating public comments — has gone into this bylaw. I think it is a good one. Therefore, I vote yes.
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