2000-06-12 Managing Growth Development and Open Space Working Group.pdf

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Growth Questionnaire indicates there may be support for increasing property taxes for land acquisition. Although expenditure of$50 to $100 million would be a very large investment, it should be viewed in relation to the quality of life and real estate value benefits that additional protected open space would offer, and in relation to the direct and indirect costs to the town which would result if much of this land was developed. In addition, the amount needed for land acquisition is of the same magnitude as the amount that might be generated by the real estate transfer tax. Because the transfer tax would tax the appreciation in real estate values which is partially generated by our community investments in schools, infrastructure and open space, we see it as an appropriate source to fund continued investment in the town's priorities. Open Questions about the Vision The year 2020 is a distant enough horizon to allow us to imagine what could be, but near enough to force us to be rooted in current realities. Our workgroup's vision comes out of respect for the historic character of our town and the continuity with the past that it represents, as we look to the future. It is a call for the town to recognize issues and concerns which have become critical at this unique time in history and to address them with long term vision. • The vision proposed by our group for the year 2020 is not "business as usual." We are not saying to the town, "keep on doing more of what you have been doing for the last 20 years". While we are not calling for a development moratorium, we are asking for the town to use its full regulatory powers to curb unwanted development and to promote development which meets particular goals and serves its core values. We are calling on the town to make wise use of the small amount of undeveloped land which still remains within its borders in the Year 2000. The vision is also a call for support and cooperation at a regional, metropolitan, and state level. Concerns of Lexington are not unlike those of many other towns in the Commonwealth and many issues cannot be significantly addressed without going beyond the town boundaries. Lexington needs support from the state in terms of enabling legislation for zoning by-law changes and for funding for transportation, housing, and other needs. It needs cooperation from neighboring towns to curb sprawl development, and to deal with traffic, housing and environmental issues. Regional support and cooperation is particularly critical in response to the threats posed by the expansion of Hanscom Airport. In return, the town needs to contribute to metropolitan and regional efforts which not only reinforce our own efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life,but which support the economic and environmental wellbeing of the metropolitan area of which we are part. Managing Growth-9