On behalf of the HCAWG Outreach Team, we wish you a relaxing holiday weekend.
- Jennifer, Gary, Kathy 2023 11 22 Housing Choice Act Working Group - FAQs What is Option E? A group of residents submitted an option that was reviewed at the November 21st Housing Choice Act Working Group (HCAWG) meeting. Documents describing the option, as submitted, may be found in the documents section of the HCAWG web page (https://www.lincolntown.org/1327/Housing-Choice-Act-Working-Group). The link to the meeting recording is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/OWG-84wg0A5W2q8JB2fYWrWAoTq7sMmr4Mv8qCJRRMn0IV7INcFS1evLwQljYv8-.1lOpdFNjrb0Yvp2Q Will property value assessments change with rezoning? No. Properties are assessed based on their current use, not on future possible use. If a neighbor’s property changes use, that still does not affect assessment. Assessments change when an individual property’s use changes. Why is the commuter parking lot included in the Village Center subdistrict? All of the options developed by the HCAWG include the Village Center subdistrict which is comprised of the Mall (owned by the RLF), Doherty’s, and the two town-owned commuter parking lots (the resident lot and the one at the back of the Mall). · Both commuter lots are currently part of the South Lincoln overlay district. Keeping the lots in the Village Center overlay district is consistent with past practice and planning principles. · As the HCAWG has said from the beginning, and in keeping with planning discussions over the past several decades, including it in the Village Center subdistrict gives the town planning flexibility. o The Mall area is small (4 acres). Including the parking lot allows for more holistic planning. o Including it gives the Town leverage in conversations about how that area is redeveloped. o Residents have expressed strong support for developing moderate and affordable housing. Including the parking lot signals to the state and potential developers that Lincoln is serious about transit-oriented planning. This would help the Town gain access to housing development funding that is only available to municipalities. This funding is what would make moderate/affordable housing possible. o It is also a signal to the MBTA that we are doing our part and expect them to do theirs when it comes to providing an accessible station and improved service. · Because it is town-owned land, ANY change in use of the parking lot requires a 2/3 majority vote at a Town Meeting. This would still be true even if it is rezoned as part of the HCA. There is no downside to including it as part of a rational zoning process. Is the vote for an option at the Special Town Meeting binding? The HCAWG and the Select Board will consider the vote binding subject to any necessary technical changes needed for compliance. · No matter which option residents choose on December 2nd, the proposal will need to go through an initial compliance check by the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC). · If changes must be made for compliance, they will be shared with residents as soon as possible before the March Annual Town Meeting. Why are we voting in March when the deadline for compliance is December 2024? The Select Board and Planning Board began talking about the Housing Choice Act in January of 2022 when the legislation was passed (https://www.lincolntown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01312022-4365). The guidelines were finalized over the summer of 2022, and the Select Board appointed the Housing Choice Act Working Group in the fall. The discussion and process has been ongoing for close to two years. In December 2022, the Town submitted an Action Plan to the state which was approved in January of 2023. The plan included a timeline for compliance, and the Town process is in keeping with the approved timeline which stated that work will be complete and ready for Town Meeting in March. Compliance is a multi-step process and technically complex, making it important to allow time for each step in order to be compliant before the end of 2024. 1. Submit option to EOHLC for a preliminary compliance check at least 90 days before a Town Meeting vote. 2. Approve HCA zoning at Town Meeting (majority vote required). 3. Submit approved warrant to the Attorney General. 4. Submit zoning to EOHLC for final determination of compliance.
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