Planning & Conservation awarded $33,800 Planning Assistance Grant!

The Baker-Polito Administration has announced $12.9 Million in 2020 grants for land conservation, parks and climate resilience projects. These grants, from five separate State grant programs, will help communities and land trusts conserve land acreage, create or renovate parks, and update zoning regulations.

In partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Lynnfield will receive technical assistance and funding to prepare an Open Space/Cluster Subdivision bylaw and a Tree Preservation bylaw. The planning assistance grant awarded to Lynnfield is part of an effort to encourage municipalities to implement land use regulations consistent with the Baker-Polito Administration’s land conservation and development objectives including reduction of land, energy and natural resource consumption, provision of sufficient and diverse housing, and mitigation of and preparation for climate change. Lynnfield’s project also addresses the objectives of its Master Plan and the Open Space Plan. The $33,800 award includes $25,350 from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EEA) and $8,450 from MAPC.

“We are very pleased with this grant award”, reports Brian Charville, Chairman of the Lynnfield Planning Board. “Lynnfield has very little land available for development. From our 2002 Master Plan and our most recent Master Plan survey data, our residents have been clear that they want any further development undertaken in a responsible and sustainable way.”  Emilie Cademartori, Director of Planning & Conservation is also pleased with the grant award. “We look forward to the technical assistance we will receive from MAPC in crafting a workable tree retention bylaw. Protection of these resources add to a more healthful, sustainable and beautiful environment.”