The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

land use

My Turn: An abutter in support of Nature Link project

By Joseph Kolchinsky

Hello neighbors. I live on Page Road and abut the Farrington land. Like some of you, I was skeptical of the Nature Link proposal at first. But after spending real time with the details, I now believe this is exactly the kind of thoughtful, balanced solution we need in Lincoln. It protects land, supports an important non-profit, adds needed housing, and most importantly it heads off far riskier alternatives. Below I’ve laid out the top concerns I’ve heard and why I believe this deal is the right move for our town. Happy to have thoughtful discourse and welcome open-minds to the conversation. As you read on, I ask that you think of a phrase often used in the nonprofit world: Things happen to you, for you, or because of you. 

As a community, if we want to move our missions forward and take advantage of this opportunity, we need to take proactive steps to pounce on this opportunity and make it happen because of us. No one is going to step in and do this work for us. And, if left to chance, alternative outcomes are likely to, happen to us, and they likely won’t be nearly as good as what I believe the Nature Link project achieves.

Top Reasons to Support the Nature Link Project
  • Conservation at scale — 77 acres of ecologically valuable land will be permanently protected from future development, preserving forests, wetlands, and trail systems for generations. This is the largest undeveloped, forested, and unprotected area in Lincoln.
  • Avoids Dover Amendment risk — By putting Farrington into conservation and giving Farrington financial stability, we substantially reduce the looming risk of institutional-scale development on that land under the Dover Amendment.
  • Adds starter homes — 20 modest homes (replacing 3 existing, 17 net) provide much-needed “missing middle” housing stock, helping young families and downsizing seniors stay in Lincoln.
  • Supports 40B compliance — Some units will be income-restricted, helping the town meet its Chapter 40B obligations.
  • Secures Farrington’s future — This deal stabilizes a non-profit with a mission to connect under-resourced youth with nature, allowing them to continue their work and stay in Lincoln.
  • New trails will be made permanently available to all Lincoln residents through the conservation land carved out by this deal.
  • What’s good enough for Cambridge is good for us — While “no septic system” is better than any septic system, the City of Cambridge has the most to lose here given they depend on the clean watershed to protect the reservoir as their water source – and they fully support this plan and are putting $800k in to back it up. If the people drinking the water support this to mitigate future risk, I think we should be aware of that future risk and support mitigating it, too.
  • Nominal traffic impact — Estimated traffic increase is ~5-10%, a nominal amount that doesn’t warrant the concern. See further below for my analysis on the numbers.
  • Transparent, enforceable plan — This is a tightly structured, multi-party agreement with baked-in protections, approvals, and community oversight – not an open-ended blank check to a developer. Farrington’s land is put into conservation through deeds and Conservation Restrictions (CRs), the developer is locked into approved plans, and Farrington’s use of the access road to Page Rd expires upon any transfer of ownership so it can’t be used in the future by other parties.

As a direct neighbor to this project, I don’t take change lightly. I will see and feel the impacts of 17 new homes more than most. It would be easy for me to oppose any development next door. But I choose to support Nature Link because I firmly believe it’s the best path forward for our community as a whole. It’s a rare instance where the community as a whole gets something positive: Farrington gets the funds to sustain its nature programs, Lincoln gets permanently protected land and walking trails, a thoughtful developer gets to build much-needed starter homes, and new families get a chance to make Lincoln their home. I’m willing to support the greater good and, based on recent discussions, believe most of my Page Rd neighbors do as well.

No plan is perfect, and it’s okay to have questions and doubts. I’ve tried to address the major concerns with facts and respectful reasoning further below. Our town’s discourse can certainly get heated — but at the end of the day, I think we all share the same love for Lincoln and want to see it thrive without losing what makes it special. Nature Link is a compromise that achieves that, by blending conservation and smart growth in a way that enhances our community.

I invite everyone to look at the official documents, ask hard questions, and satisfy themselves on the details. From what I’ve seen, the more you dig, the more this deal holds up as sensible and forward-looking. I’ll be voting Yes at the Special Town Meeting on June 25, and I encourage my fellow residents to consider doing the same. Let’s seize this opportunity to protect a beautiful piece of Lincoln while also shaping a future we can be proud of – one where our children and new neighbors can enjoy the same natural beauty and community spirit that drew us all here in the first place.

For a comprehensive Q&A on this topic, please see this document. I will continue to keep it updated as I learn more. Thank you for reading, and I’m happy to discuss further with an open mind and mutual respect.

Joseph and Jennifer Kolchinsky live at 83 Page Rd.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Get the full picture on Farrington/Panetta proposal

(Editor’s note: This letter concerns the Farrington/Panetta proposal — for more information, see “Corrections and more information on Farrington/Panetta proposal” and this RLF slide deck.)

By Page Road residents (see below)

A Special Town Meeting will be held on June 25, where voters will decide whether to rezone privately owned land into the North Lincoln Overlay District — a move that would allow the Nature Link Project to bypass Lincoln’s long-standing zoning laws and build 20 homes on just six acres, with significant impact to our conservation land and our neighbors.

We believe every Lincoln resident deserves the full picture before casting a vote. Here’s what you need to know:

1. No public input in calling the meeting

Normally, calling a Special Town Meeting requires 200 resident signatures. While the Select Board has discretion to also call a town meeting, in this case, they decided to call a meeting on behalf of a private organization, the RLF, without notifying a single abutter or resident in the area. After the meeting was already scheduled, communication to the neighborhood has been minimal and misleading:

  • Only some Page Road residents received a vague flyer.
  • That flyer promoted a “neighborhood meeting” but did not disclose the project’s full scope.
  • Many residents only learned about the 20-house development at the April 30 meeting—more than two weeks after it was approved by the Selects and less than two months before the vote.

If the project is truly good for Lincoln, why secrecy?

2. The developer: Civico and the profits at stake

This meeting mainly exists to enable Civico Development to bypass zoning laws. They plan to:

  • Build 17 new homes and rebuild 3 existing homes—20 in total—on a site that under current zoning would allow only 3.
  • Avoid Lincoln’s zonings rule and increase density drastically.

Estimated revenue (based on comparable sales in nearby towns):

  • 14 homes x ~$1.2M = $16.8M
  • 3 affordable homes x $0.4 = $1.2M
    3 larger homes (4,000–4,500 sq ft) x ~$2.6M = $7.8M
  • Total: ~$25.8M

Land cost to Civico? Just $3.3M — roughly 13% of project value, far below the 20–33% range typical in suburban development.

Normally, developers must dedicate part of their purchased land for septic systems, reducing the number of houses they can build. With this deal, Civico avoids this entirely by using Farrington’s land for the septic system, letting them maximize housing density (and profits) without sacrificing a single square foot. Why should Lincoln enable this private windfall?

3. No-bid development: why Civico again?

This isn’t the first time Civico has been granted a no-bid, developer-friendly deal in Lincoln:

  • Oriole Landing, the Mall redevelopment, and now Nature Link have all followed this pattern.
  • No competitive process was offered, despite millions in potential profits.

Civico receives:

  • Zoning exceptions
  • Public access to land for septic infrastructure
  • Publicly funded trails which increase housing value
  • Below-market land prices

In return, Civico contributes very little. If this project benefits the town, why not open it to other developers?

4. Conservation Deal Tied to Development — Why?

The Nature Link project is being tied to a conservation agreement with the Farrington property. But the funding for conservation already existsfrom:

  • The City of Cambridge
  • Private fundraising
  • The Town of Lincoln

So why bind it to housing? Because:

  • Civico can then use land paid for by the town for septic systems and access roads, saving the developer money and increasing housing density.
  • This means public conservation land is subsidizing private development, at no cost to Civico.

Farrington’s land was meant for preservation, not as infrastructure for a private developer. This sets a troubling precedent.

5. The “$3M Gap” Myth

RLF argues that if Civico doesn’t build these homes, the $3M from the Panetta land deal won’t materialize, and the conservation effort will collapse. But here’s the truth:

  • The “gap” exists only because RLF linked two unrelated land transactions.
  • Panetta land, 6 upland acres with 3 homes, is worth $3M+ on the open market.
  • Even without Civico, other buyers or developers could step in, without needing zoning changes.

RLF also claims Farrington needs a new access road via Panetta’s land, but improving the existing Route 2 access would cost only $250K (based on Farrington’s own prior estimates, adjusted for inflation).

A flawed deal — and a better path forward

The proposed Farrington agreement represents a flawed compromise that depends on the construction of 20 single-family homes. To enable this development, the plan would:

  • Clear-cut a forested section of Farrington’s land, and
  • Install a large-scale septic system serving all 20 homes at the property’s highest elevation.

This elevated leach field would pose a serious, long-term threat to the protected wetlands below, which form a tributary of the Cambridge watershed, an ecologically sensitive and critical area. The good news: these 20 homes do not need to be built. Existing funding is already sufficient to compensate Farrington for placing a conservation restriction on their land. The sole justification for moving forward with the Panetta purchase and related development is to provide Farrington with improved access to Route 2. But there is a smarter, lower-impact alternative.

According to a study commissioned by Farrington—and adjusted for construction cost inflation—upgrading Farrington’s existing access point to Route 2 would cost approximately $250,000. This would provide significantly better access than Page Road and eliminate the need for environmentally damaging housing construction. If Cambridge and Lincoln each contributed $1 million—a modest increase over current commitments—they would more than cover this access improvement and secure the conservation deal without new development.

This is a rare opportunity to do what’s right:

  • Conserve valuable open space
  • Protect the watershed
  • Avoid irreversible ecological damage

And yet, the Rural Land Foundation (RLF) has returned to its familiar playbook: fear-based messaging. “If we don’t act now,” they warn, “Farrington will be clear-cut.” But these alarmist tactics have grown stale.

Just last year, in the lead-up to the Housing Choice Act vote, the RLF publicly stated that Civico would never return to Town Meeting seeking project approval. Yet here we are, only a year later, facing that very scenario.

They also claimed that unit density at the Mall project couldn’t be reduced—until they themselves introduced a late amendment at Town Meeting, before any resident had a chance to speak.

It’s time for accountability

We can — and must — pursue a conservation strategy that respects both the environment and the community’s values. The current proposal fails on both counts. We urge residents to demand transparency, challenge false choices, and support a solution that protects Lincoln’s future — without sacrificing its integrity.

Even if you’re not an abutter, this precedent affects your neighborhood too. If zoning laws can be bypassed quietly once, what’s to stop it from happening again? Your voice matters. Attend the Special Town Meeting on June 25. Demand transparency, fairness, and accountability from our town leaders. Ask questions. Spread the word. Vote informed.

Klaus and Iwona Dobler, 103 Page Rd.
John and Cindy Li, 96 Page R.
Dr. Jeff Sutherland and the Reverend Arline Sutherland, 100 Page Rd.

(Editor’s note: The Rural Land Foundation plans to submit a response in the next few days.)

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Corrections and more information on Farrington/Panetta proposal

The May 22 article headlined “June 25 Special Town Meeting agenda grows” misstated the proposed future ownership of the Farrington/Panetta land as well as the number of signatures required to bring a citizens’ petition (100 for a Special Town Meeting, vs. the 10 signatures need for a regular Annual Town Meeting). The article has been updated with information below from Rural Land Foundation Executive Director Geoff McGean.

The RLF is trying to arrange for Farrington Memorial, which owns 75 acres of land on the south side of Route 2, to get $3.1 million from a combination of the town’s Community Preservation Act fund, the City of Cambridge, and private donations. Farrington will retain ownership, but 65 of those acres will then have a permanent conservation restriction and trail easement held by the town. The remaining 10 acres where the Farrington Nature Linc buildings are now located will have a deed restriction that will significantly limit their future expansion.

In addition, some of the Farrington land (mostly wetlands) will be deeded by Farrington to the City of Cambridge for watershed protection purposes. That land will also have a permanent conservation restriction held by the town.

In a separate deal, developer Civico will pay $3.1 million in a single transaction for three lots that currently have houses. Two parcels (2.8 acres and 3.2 acres) are now owned by the Frank J. Panetta Trust and a third 14.1-acre lot is owned by the Paul Panetta Trust. The company will then build 20 starter homes, which will be sold to future buyers individually. The town is not involved in the financial negotiations for this transaction, and no town money will be used for land acquisition or housing construction.

After the housing is built, no major changes or additions to the Civico land can be made without the agreement of all the homeowners as well as Town Meeting, because the town is approving this specific development under the North Lincoln Overlay District. See this RLF public outreach slide deck for more details as well as maps and drawings.

June 25 Special Town Meeting agenda grows

(Editor’s note: this article was corrected and updated on May 25.)

The Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, June 25 will have up to five warrant articles — two each on the Farrington/Panetta proposal and on the community center, and one on an expected citizens’ petition.

The meeting will start at 6:30pm; barring something unforeseen, officials expect to get everything done that night. Everyone is hoping not to repeat the Special Town Meeting on Dec. 2, 2023 to vote on the Housing Choice Act measures, which stretched to 11:30pm and led to the creation of the Town Meeting Study Committee and purchase of voting clickers.

One of the warrant articles may be passed over, depending on the construction bids for the community center, which will be opened on May 29. If the low bid is higher than the $24 million budget, the town will have to find more money for the project to go ahead — either through a town fund transfer if the shortfall isn’t substantial, or a debt exclusion if more is needed. A debt exclusion measure would require a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting for approval as well as a simple majority at the ballot box at a special election the next day (Monday, June 26).

There will be a hybrid joint meeting of the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Community Center Building Committee on Monday, June 2 starting at 6:00pm to discuss funding strategy if the bids come in over budget. The agenda has not yet been posted but the Zoom link is here.

Farrington/Panetta

Two other warrant articles pertain to the Farrington/Panetta proposal. The first will ask for two separate zoning changes. One would allow a transfer of $950,000 already in the town’s Community Preservation Act fund to Farrington Memorial, which owns 75 acres. That sum is part of $3.1 million that will go to the organization from the CPA fund as well as the City of Cambridge, and private donations to the RLF. Farrington will retain ownership of the land and get a new access road from Page Road, but 65 of those 75 acres will have a permanent conservation restriction and trail easement held by the town.

In a separate deal, developer Civico will pay $3.1 million in a single transaction for three lots that currently have houses. Two parcels (2.8 acres and 3.2 acres) are now owned by the Frank J. Panetta Trust and a third 14.1-acre lot is owned by the Paul Panetta Trust. The second warrant article seeks a zoning change to allow construction of a cluster of 20 new starter homes and the other to allow Gerard’s farm stand and garden center to continue operating on the former Panetta land.

The company plans to build and sell the homes individually to future buyers individually. The town is not involved in the financial negotiations for this transaction, and no town money will be used for land acquisition or housing construction.

After the housing is built, no major changes or additions to the Civico land can be made without the agreement of all the homeowners as well as Town Meeting, because the town is approving this specific development under the North Lincoln Overlay District. See this RLF public outreach slide deck for more details as well as maps and drawings.

Other warrant articles

A fourth warrant article will seek approval to increase the town’s fiscal 2026 reserve fund “to address a couple of late-occurring budget challenges,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins said at the May 19 Select Board meeting. Those preliminary additional costs include $270,000 for remediating contaminated soil at the former Strat’s Place playground, which will be repurposed for Magic Garden; $172,000 for snow and ice mitigation; and about $100,000 for veterans’ benefits 

“These amounts are preliminary and we will have a better view of the potential recommendation on June 10,” Finance Committee chair Paul Blanchfield said. Voters OK’d an increase to the fund balance for FY26 to $849,000 in March. The reserve fund is part of the general fund and is intended to cover “extraordinary and unforeseen” needs of the town and schools.

The final Town Meeting article(s) will be a vote on at least one citizen’s petition. One has already been submitted and it’s at least possible there will be more, as the deadline for getting a petition with the required 100 signatures to the Town Clerk’s office isn’t until Tuesday, May 27 at noon.

Property sales in March and April 2025

3 Goose Pond Rd. — Robert McGarr to Juliana Sagor and Peter Lee for $1,775,000 (April 28)

21 Birchwood Lane — Anthony Dubon to David B. Martin Trust and Laurel K. Martin Trust for $875,000 (April 25)

30 Old Sudbury Rd. — Paul Chapman to John and Margaret Doyle for $2,000,000 (April 4)

61 Oxbow Rd. — Marijke E. Holtrop Trust to Amanda Millis and Florian Allroggen for $1,400,000 (April 2)

19 Sunnyside Lane — Donna Bryne to Wei Zhu and Coty Sheme for $1,010,000 (March 18)

49 Birchwood Lane — Laura Stookey Johnson Trust to John and Samara Fangman for $975,000 (March 17)

 

Public forums, walks scheduled around Panetta/Farrington proposal

A map showing the land that will be developed and conserved under the proposal. Click image to enlarge, and see the April 27 and April 20 Lincoln Squirrel articles for more information.

The Rural Land Foundation has scheduled a number of public forums (in person and via Zoom) and site walks to acquaint residents with the proposal to purchase and rezone land to allow 20 construction of 20 single-family houses plus new town-owned conservation land. 

To go forward, the project — the result of a multi-year collaboration between RLF, Farrington Memorial Nature Linc, and the Panetta family — must win a two-thirds majority on a rezoning vote at a Special Town Meeting on June 25, as well as approval to allocate $950,000 from the town’s Community Preservation Act fund.
 
RLF Executive Director Geoff McGean and Wendy Matusovich of Farrington Nature Linc will present at these events so the community can learn more about the project and ask questions. 

Thursday, May 8
12:00-1:00pm, Lincoln Public Library Tarbell Room

Monday, May 12
7:00-8:00pm, Zoom

Tuesday, May 13
9:30-11:30am, site walk at Farrington Nature Nature Linc (RSVP here)

Wednesday, May 21
9:00-10:00am, site walk at Farrington Nature Nature Linc (RSVP here)

Thursday May 22
7:00-8:00pm, Zoom

Tuesday, June 3
7:00-8:00pm, Zoom

Wednesday, June 4
12:00-1:00pm, Lincoln Library Tarbell Room

Planning Board votes 4-1 to approve Plaut proposal

The three lots owned by the Plauts are outlined in blue (click to enlarge).

The Planning Board voted 4-1 last week to approve a proposal to clear-cut and replant several acres of undeveloped land between Old Winter Street and Trapelo Road.

Representatives of Timothy and Madeleine Plaut, who own three lots totaling 8.5 acres, presented a proposal in March to clear about one-third of the land, regrade part of it for a driveway, plant new native trees and shrubs, and create a meadow in preparation for building a single-family house. The board specified that “to the extent possible,” construction and delivery vehicles must enter and leave the property from the Trapelo Road side of Old Winter Street and that the applicants build a temporary turnaround for that purpose. They had originally hoped to gain temporary access from Silver Hill Road, but the Conservation Commission denied that request since the route would traverse wetlands.

In their written decision, the board also required the applicant to mark every tree six inches or larger in diameter that they intend to cut down, and to have a site visit with Planning Department staff before tree removal begins.

At the board’s April 22 meeting, member Susan Hall Mygatt voted against the proposal, arguing that the clearing and replanting portions of the proposal do not conform to Section 17.7.4a of the town zoning bylaw that says that “the landscape shall be preserved in its natural state insofar as practicable by minimizing any grade changes and vegetation and soil removal.” The plan calls for cutting down 137 mature trees and planting 268 new trees of varying sizes as well as shrubs and ground cover. 

“It’s a question of what you consider the ‘natural state’,” board co-chair Gary Taylor said. “I would consider this to be preserving the natural environment of Lincoln.”

“I don’t think it meant it should be preserved as of the date that bylaw was enacted. I’m not an originalist; I think landscapes change,” Mygatt responded. “It’s going to be beautiful, but it’s just inconsistent with the bylaw.” Also, she added, “It’s such a huge project that while I believe [the Plauts] have the vision and financial capability to pull this off, if we’re wrong, it’s one heck of a mess on that property… I just think it’s an unnecessary risk to take.”

“If I’m an abutter, this is the next best thing to [having it be] conservation land. It’s better than three McMansions,” board member Rob Ahlert said — a sentiment that was echoed by two of those abutters.

Although the board approved the plan, they also agreed that the town needs more teeth in controlling what can be done to the landscape of private property. “I think we need to revise our bylaws and come up with something about taking down trees,” co-chair Lynn DeLisi said — something that the Tree Preservation Study Group is already working on.

But others at the meeting objected more strenuously. The intent of the zoning bylaw is to “preserve the current ecosystem,” said Barbara Peskin, who envisioned “children seeing wildlife running for their lives.

“I think this is an ecological disaster,” Vicky Diadiuk said. “Property rights are not as important as the welfare of the community. We’re talking about a common resource we’re about to devastate… it’s unworthy of the town of Lincoln. Stop studying and start passing laws that protect our environment. You’ll be gone by the time you finish talking about it.”

More details on Farrington/Panetta housing and conservation proposal

A sketch of what the starter homes might look like (click to enlarge). See the April 27 Lincoln Squirrel article for more project illustrations.

The Planning Board got more details this week on the Nature Link project proposed for Page Road/Route 2 land, including information on sizes and estimated prices of the homes.

The Rural Land Foundation is asking voters at a Special Town Meeting on June 25 to approve rezoning and funding measures that would allow the town to purchase 77 acres of land now owned by the Frank Panetta Jr. Trust and Farrington Memorial. Oriole Landing developer Civico, which is providing $3.3 million of the $6.4 million total land purchase cost, hopes to build 20 tightly clustered single-family condominium homes on some of the parcel, while most of the rest will become town-owned conservation land. Farrington Nature Linc would remain as is, though with a new access road from Page Road.

To make it happen, voters must approve a change to the existing North Lincoln Overlay District for the proposed housing and another to preserve the existing Gerard’s Farm Stand on Route 2, as well as a $950,000 appropriation from the town’s Community Preservation Act fund. Another $800,000 from the City of Cambridge and $1.35 million in private donations to the RLF will round out the total.

The three houses now on the Panetta land will be razed. In addition to 17 small starter homes ranging from 1,650 to 2,000 square feet, the development will include three 4,500-square-foot homes on the southeast corner of the site. Andrew Consigli of Civico estimated that the starter homes will sell for under $1 million while the three larger homes would fetch $1.5 million to $2 million. Three of the starter homes would be income-restricted.

Because it will be a condominium complex, owners will not be allowed to make substantial changes to their homes without consent of the entire condo homeowners’ association. The RLF will have right of first refusal if Farrington Memorial ever decides to sell their parcel, which will have deed restrictions so Farrington Nature Linc can continue to operate on part of the land and “make small additions to their footprint” in the future if desired, said Geoff McGean,  Executive Director of the RLF, which is distributing this brochure touting the project.

If all goes as planned, the deal will conserve the largest remaining parcel of undeveloped and unprotected land in Lincoln. “This is the result of many, many years of negotiation,” McGean told the Planning Board. “It’s a balance of benefits, and all parties involved have made some sacrifices. I can’t emphasize enough that this is a moment in time… it’s not going to be there next year.”

The decision to propose small starter homes rather than townhouses or multifamily housing was based on economics as well as the wishes of the Panettas, Consigli said. The development is modeled after the nascent 40Y state program, though the Lincoln proposal would allow houses larger than the $1,850-square-foot state maximum.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on June 10. Before that will be public information sessions and site walks as well as presentations to the Conservation Commission, Community Preservation Committee, and Housing Coalition.

Each house will have a two-car garage and a small private yard, and residents will have access to a common green. “It’s going to have a very communal feel,” said Jeremy Lake of Union Studio Architecture & Community Design, which designed the Riverwalk housing in West Concord.

Planning Board member Susan Hall Mygatt was concerned that preserving the commercial farm stand alongside the housing might constitute spot zoning. Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie said town counsel was reviewing the issue.

Many attendees at the April 29 meeting expressed support for the proposal. Andrew Glass, chair of the Historical Commission, noted that his group approves about half a dozen teardowns each year, and most of them are small houses. “This will help replenish a form of housing stock in Lincoln that we have seen a great decimation of in the last several decades,” he said.

20-home development eyed for Panetta/Farrington land

A map showing the land that the town hopes to purchase (click to enlarge).

Lincoln could see 20 new homes near Route 2 along with dozens of acres of newly town-owned woods and wetlands if residents vote yes at a Special Town Meeting on June 25.

Seventeen of the 20 homes will be tightly clustered 1,850-square-foot “starter homes” on 14 acres of Page Road land currently owned by the Panetta family. The town proposes to buy a total of 77 acres from the Panettas and Farrington Memorial (which operates the nonprofit Farrington Nature Linc) for $6.4 million. Funds for the purchase would come from developer Consigli ($3.3 million), which built Oriole Landing, as well as $800,000 from the City of Cambridge, $950,000 from the Lincoln’s Community Preservation Act fund, and $1.35 million in private donations.

Farrington Memorial will retain ownership of some of its land within its parcel that will be accessed (as will the new houses) from a roadway coming off Page Road, and Farrington Nature Linc will continue to operate as it now does (see the Lincoln Squirrel, April 17, 2015).

A sketch of where the homes would be placed.

To make it all happen, voters must two zoning measures by a two-thirds margin — a change to the existing North Lincoln Overlay District for the proposed housing and another to preserve the existing Gerard’s Farm Stand on Route 2 — plus the CPA funding for the conservation component of the project that would protect the land from development and eventually add 1.5 miles of new trails connecting to the Osborn Conservation area to the south.

The deal won’t go through unless the RLF can raise $1.35 million in donations by June 25. RLF Executive Director Geoff McGean acknowledged the tight timeline for fundraising and voter approval. “It’s a very complicated project with a lot of moving parts that somehow all come together at this brief moment in time, unfortunately,” he said.

The fundraising effort will include appeals to foundations, friends of conservation, and a townwide mailing. “Most of the time it’s individual Lincoln residents that step up, and we’re hopeful that residents will think this is a good project worth supporting,” McGean said.

The housing plan is modeled on the state’s nascent 40Y program, which offers a zoning tool for towns to approve “starter homes” of up to 1,850 square feet in districts that allow at least four starter homes per acre. However, though the law has been passed, the state has not yet released specific guidelines for towns and developers, so there will be no opportunity for state grants or other involvement, McGean said.

The RLF presented the proposal to the Select Board on April 14 and will make an informal presentation to the Planning Board on Tuesday, April 29.

The plan is similar in some respects to the town’s 2016 purchase of the Wang property on Bedford Road. That deal paved the way for a new home for the Birches School, a new town playing field, and several acres of conservation land.

Four-unit townhouse proposed for Lincoln Road

Front and rear views of the townhouse proposal.

A proposal for a four-unit multifamily townhouse near condos on Ridge Road will be the subject of a Planning Board public hearing on May 13.

The 2.1-acre parcel was formerly owned by the Teabo family (Prince Teabo died in 2018 and his wife Betty in 2022) that’s accessed by an existing private right of way running from Lincoln Road to Greenridge Lane. The land isn’t part of the recently rezoned Housing Choice Act area; it’s in the R-2 General Residence District, where townhouses are allowed by right with a site plan review by the Planning Board.

Applicant Fabio Andrade hopes to replace the single-family home on the property with a flat-roofed two-story structure covering 2,262 square feet with four two-bedroom units built over above-ground garage parking.