Urban Affairs continues review of 276-unit Lincoln Street special permit

MARLBOROUGH — June 8, 2022 — Marlborough Urban Affairs presses Wood Partners on affordability, gas heat in 276-unit Lincoln Street project. The committee on June 8 continued its special permit review of Alta Marlboro LLC's mixed-use development at Lincoln and Mechanic streets, which would include 10,074 square feet of retail, 276 units and a 448-space garage. Attorney Brian Falk defended a draft 10 percent affordability figure, arguing the city's 15 percent multifamily threshold does not apply to mixed-use; Councilor Laura Wagner countered that "14 units shouldn't make or break this" 276-unit project and said she would consult the solicitor. Wood Partners' Jim Lambert confirmed cooking would be all-electric but heating would use natural gas, drawing pushback from Councilor Sean Navin, who urged geothermal alternatives. The draft includes a $468,038.50 payment for Jefferson Street parking lot improvements and EV infrastructure at 10 percent of garage spaces, with 20 stations operational on day one. The committee will reconvene the following Wednesday at 7 p.m.