Two new bylaws designed to preserve and protect Lynnfield’s trees and open spaces and an article seeking authorization for an eminent-domain taking of a historic home are among the highlights of this year’s Oct. 17 Town Meeting warrant.
Headlining the issues likely to generate much discussion is Article 5, the proposal to take the Joseph Smith House, a property with ownership that dates back to a 1640 land grant of 640 acres by King Charles I of England, that is now in danger of extinction.
Owner Virgil Lynnfield Properties LLC has applied for a permit to demolish the 1850 home, located at 163 Lowell Street, adjacent to Pocahontas Spring and the Boston Clear Water Co. The town has used the demolition-delay bylaw to postpone demolition for a year.
“Smith House has an amazing history, which I don’t think most town residents really know about,” said Historical Commission Chairman Kirk Mansfield. “We have so few historical homes left, but I have great faith that if the community really understands this, if they become informed, they will do the same they did with Center Farm — preserve it, put some restrictive covenants on it and then sell it. This home has enormous history and it will be detrimental to lose it. We need to save this house.”
Article 9 seeks to amend zoning bylaws by adopting an Open Space Residential Design (OSRD) bylaw. A planning design that maximizes the amount of open space preserved in subdivisions without reducing the number of homes built, OSRD provides an alternative way for residential growth while protecting the vital features of open space. Developers must protect at least 50 percent of the total land parcel as permanent open space, and also identify and protect the parcel’s natural resources. The result is individual lot-sizes are smaller.
“The goal has always been that further development is done in the most environmentally responsible way possible because there is only so much land left,” said Planning Department Director Emelie Cademartori. “The last couple of developments have been sort of shocking the community as they are very visual. They develop property that has been open for a long time.”
Cademartori said the bylaw is considered the state model and has been adopted by many communities.
“The idea is that any new residential subdivision, so-called cluster subdivisions, can contain the same number of units it can support, but in half the space. It relaxes zoning requirements so the best acreage is used for open space.”
Proponents of the OSRD bylaw say there are multiple benefits, not only to residents and the town as a whole, but to developers and the environment, including reduced sprawl with lower property maintenance costs, more kid-friendly recreational spaces, the preservation of water resources, lower DPW maintenance costs (with no loss in tax revenue) greater protection of water quality with reduced water consumption and protection of unique habitats.
Selectmen Dick Dalton and Phil Crawford expressed concerns about the bylaw.
“If you have a cluster towards the front of the street…it change(s) the nature of that street,” Dalton said.
“If you are putting nine homes in a more condensed area, it does look different,” Crawford said.
Article 8 proposes the adoption of a general bylaw entitled “Tree Protection Bylaw,” to encourage the preservation and protection of trees.
Article 3 proposes to change the name of the “Board of Selectmen” to the gender-neutral term “Select Board” and also to replace references to “chairman” with “chair.” Current Board Chairman Chris Barrett said one of his first priorities as chairman was the change.
“My daughter Kaylee said it best. She said,’Dad, why is it selectmen and what about me?'” Barrett said. “We need to make this change now,”
Article 4 proposes the town extend the term of its existing agreement with the Reading Municipal Light Department to July 9, 2040.
Article 7 seeks authorization for the sale of a parcel of town-owned property shown on Assessor’s Map 52 as Lot 000, Plot 1234 for a price not less than $98,000 with restrictions that forbid the building of any structures.
Town Meeting, which will be held on the high school football field, begins at 10 a.m.
