Hello Lincoln residents! I am Margaret Olson, and I am asking for your vote in the upcoming town elections for Planning Board. I have lived in our beautiful town for 27 years and have served on the Planning Board for over ten years, working to make everything we love about this town even better. During my tenure on the board, we have
- Instituted Lincoln’s first Dark Sky lighting regulations - Worked with town staff to streamline and formalize the Site Plan Review process - Incrementally relaxed the Accessory Apartment Unit zoning - Passed the Housing Choice Act zoning, securing our state funding and enabling the Town to qualify for a $430,000 grant through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to replace the water main on Lincoln Road. I believe in an open and collaborative approach to solving problems. I also encourage incremental changes. When I joined the Board, the zoning requirements for Accessory Apartments made it difficult and, in some cases, impossible for residents to create an apartment that was usually needed immediately for a family member or caregiver. When an application complied with the zoning, it was never denied. We were overregulating to the detriment of the town. The Board relaxed the requirements in 2021. When those changes created no issues, the Board further relaxed the requirements in 2023. When the State mandated Accessory Dwelling Units by right (under 900 square feet) this past summer, we were ready. We are currently crafting a bylaw that complies with State law and works for Lincoln. This is a small town - overregulation costs everyone money. From staff time to individual’s costs to get projects through permitting, I do my best to make good use of those dollars. If we are adding regulations, we need to be clear on what problem we are solving and that we do so efficiently. Planning Board reviews should focus on being thorough, fair, consistent, and predictable. The State is continuing to create pressure on single-family zoning. In addition to the Housing Choice Act, the State passed legislation that requires towns to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (small apartments) up to 900 square feet by right. Until the housing crisis significantly abates I expect we will see continuing regulatory pressure from the State. I believe it is the Planning Board’s job to craft zoning that implements the requirements of State legislation while ensuring protections are in place to safeguard our community. Along with many other Lincolnites I deeply value Lincoln’s open spaces, our tree dominated landscapes and our roadsides. We will need to continue to work together to preserve our landscape while doing our part to ease the housing crisis. As the Planning Board’s member of Lincoln’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Roadside and Traffic Committee, and the Transportation Coalition, I continue my commitment to policies that promote sustainability, mobility, and safety. Join me in making Lincoln safe for everyone and all modes of transportation: for our health, for our enjoyment, and for the environment. My website is margaretolson.com
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