Lynnfield committee drops Kimball Lane and Route 1 options, asks consultant to analyze three alternative districts

The Lynnfield MBTA Communities Zoning Compliance Committee voted 5-0 on Aug. 5 to remove two proposed district options from consideration and directed the consultant to analyze three other locations for State MBTA compliance.

The motion, made by Richard O’Neill and seconded by Richard Dalton, eliminates district #2 (Kimball Lane) and district #5 (northbound Route 1 residential parcels) and asks the consultant to provide a model analysis for locations #1, #3 and #4. The vote was unanimous.

Committee staff member Emilie Cademartori told the committee the consultant had modified district location #4 so that, with the change, three of the five proposed district locations could independently meet the State’s compliance calculation—based on the State’s parameters of roughly 40 acres and a minimum density of 15 units per acre.

Public commenters urged caution. Resident Jeff DiTullio said he was pleased with some of the proposed locations but warned that the town could see an “expected increase in town population by approximately 15%—an approximate 20-year increase in ‘one-fell swoop’,” saying that would strain schools, police, fire, water and other services. Resident Mary Lu Mondonca, who said she has worked in the housing sector, cautioned that non-compliance could jeopardize town funding sources. Resident Mike Gannon said nearby homes had been well maintained and urged the committee to wait to see how things develop.

Committee members emphasized minimizing local impacts and preserving control. O’Neill said the committee’s work focuses on minimal impacts to the town and on retaining local control over how any enforcement or compliance would be implemented. Dalton noted Lynnfield has received more than $3 million in State grants that could be at risk if the town does not comply; Anthony Moccia pointed out that a Massachusetts case brought by the Town of Milton challenging the statute’s constitutionality could change the legal landscape, but said the committee should continue its work while the case proceeds.

Town staff highlighted student-enrollment data in the discussion. Cademartori reported that, of Lynnfield’s 491 multi-family units, fewer than 4% of enrolled students live in multi-family housing, and that single-family housing produces far more students in town. School Committee chair Kate DePrizio said the School Committee could change districting to address concentration concerns.

The committee discussed parcel #1 (MarketStreet/40R) and noted constraints including height and parking restrictions; Cademartori said National Development had expressed willingness to discuss MarketStreet should the committee want to explore that option. Members agreed to prioritize a model run for the two best options and to defer broader outreach until after the consultant’s analysis.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19 at the Merritt Center. Earlier procedural business included approval of the July 10, 2024 minutes (5-0) and a 5-0 vote to adjourn at 7:46 p.m.

What’s next: the consultant will run the model for sites #1, #3 and #4; the committee plans public outreach after receiving the analysis.