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Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for March 17,2025
Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Margaret Heitz, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz
(Chair), Joyce Murphy, Bob Pressman, Betsey Weiss (Vice-Chair), John Zhao (COA)
Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison), Sarah
Morrison (LexHAB), Melanie Thompson
Guest: Dawn McKenna
The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by
Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely as a hybrid meeting (both in-person and remotely by
Zoom teleconference).
1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting
Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm. The roll was called.
2. Discussion of Article 2 to Amend Section 7.5 of the Zoning Bylaw to Reduce Multi-Family
Dwelling Unit Capacity as well discussion and vote of any Article 2 Amendments brought
forward and a possible revote on Article 2.
Ms. Manz reviewed Article 2 and the amendment to Article 2 regarding housing in Lexington
Center.
The HPB then discussed the Article 2 amendment and its possible impacts. Ms. Weiss noted that
State Representative Michelle Ciccolo is strongly in support of housing in Lexington Center. Ms.
Byrnes said that greater density in Lexington Center was likely to lead to better public transit
and Ms. Heitz agreed.
Ms. McKenna pointed out that there will be a thousand units within a half mile walking distance
to Lexington Center if Article 2 passes and the amendment does not.
Mr. Hornig said that the Planning Board has not yet reviewed the amendment so the opinion he
is providing is his own. He spoke in favor of multifamily housing at a reasonable density.
Mr. Zhao said that he did not support the amendment.
Mr. Linton voiced his hope that the Center would become much more vital with new housing. In
support of the amendment, Ms. Murphy pointed out that it’s been over ten years since we’ve
been trying to revitalize the center. Progress has been made on the physical infrastructure, like
sidewalks, but not on housing.
Ms. Weiss moved that the HPB support the amendment to Article 2. Mr. Hornig seconded the
motion.
In favor: Ms. Murphy, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Manz, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Linton, Ms. Byrnes
Against: Mr. Zhao
Abstain: Mr. Pressman
The motion passes by a vote of 7-1-1.
3. Vote on Inclusionary Zoning SRD Change/Clarification for ATM March 24
This item was not discussed at this meeting.
4. Set next meeting date
Ms. Byrnes asked for time on the agenda of the next meeting for feedback on the Lexington
Housing Needs Assessment.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 25 at 5:00 pm on Zoom.
5. HPB Adjournment
Ms. Murphy moved adjournment. Mr. Linton seconded the motion.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 9-0-0 to approve the
motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm.