2019-12-12-CPC-NEEDS.rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Community Preservation Plan Open Space BACKGROUND Open space is one of the defining characteristics of Lexington. It enhances the historical and scenic character of the Town,protects important watershed and biological values, including wetlands, streams, floodplains and wildlife habitat and affords opportunities for passive recreational and educational uses, including hiking, walking, bird watching,picnicking, and nature exploration. CURRENT RESOURCES The Town Conservation Commission is entrusted with promoting and managing the Town's natural resources, administering and enforcing the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131 §40), Lexington's Wetland Protection Code (C. 130) and stormwater management regulations, and acquiring and managing open space. The seven—member Commission is appointed for overlapping three-year terms by the Town Manager with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Out of approximately 10,650 acres, Lexington currently has more than 1,370 acres of conservation land, and approximately 400 acres reserved for recreation, including parkland. Town fiscal demands and restraints associated with Proposition 21/2 have been accompanied by the constant pressure of development, resulting in only one open space acquisition by the Town in the 10-15 years prior to the adoption of the CPA. (For a list of specific goals and priorities for open space and recreation purposes, see the 2015 Lexington Open Space and Recreation Plan, which can be viewed in the Conservation Office or online at http://www.lexingtonma.gov/conservation/pages/conservation-landganchor_plan). The CPA has enabled the acquisition,protection, and enhancement of open space by providing funding in three important areas: For the outright purchase of land to be owned by the Town, for the purchase of permanent conservation or agricultural restrictions that provide protection to privately owned land, and for improvements to visitor access,passive recreational oppertunities, and resource protection and planning. Since the passage of the CPA, the Town has purchased eight parcels of land totaling approximately 65.4 acres. Of this total, 63.7 acres have been devoted to conservation purposes. These include the two Goodwin Parcels off Hartwell Avenue, the Leary Parcel off Vine Street, the Cotton Farm Parcel off Marrett Road, the Wright Farm property off Grove Street, and parcels on Kendall Road and Sherburne Road. The Leary and Wright Farm parcels were both subdivided as part of the acquisition to also provide for community housing at each property. The 7.9 acre Busa Farm parcel off Lowell Street was also purchased with CPA funds. It has been subdivided, and a 20,198 square foot parcel has been 17