Thirty-one new homes could replace a historic barn on Bedford Street under a development proposal returning to the Lexington Planning Board for its third public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The virtual hearing, scheduled to begin at or after 6 p.m. via Zoom, is a continuation of sessions held June 24 and Aug. 19, according to the town's project page. Attorney Frederick V. Gilgun, Jr. filed the application on behalf of James C. Johnston and Mary H. Johnston, trustees of the James C. Johnston Trust and Mary H. Johnston Trust of 2012.
The plan calls for demolishing an existing historic barn on the 80 Bedford Street parcel and constructing six new buildings containing 31 units total. A historic house already on the property would be relocated on-site and converted into two of those units.
What's changed since June
The project has evolved since its first hearing. The Sept. 16 hearing notice now lists 35 surface parking spaces plus two garage spaces, up from 29 surface spaces in the original June application. The applicant has also added a request for a special permit to install a 7-foot fence along the northern property line, a provision not included in the June filing.
Zoning and approvals sought
The property, identified as Map 57, Lot 81, sits in both the RS (One Family Dwelling) and VO (Village Overlay) zoning districts. The owners secured a zoning freeze in 2025 that allows development under the 2024 Village Overlay District bylaw.
The application seeks three approvals: a major site plan review under the Village and Multi-Family Overlay Districts and Site Plan Review sections of the Zoning Bylaw, the special permit for the 7-foot fence, and stormwater management review.
Other boards reviewing the project
The proposal has drawn attention beyond the Planning Board. Attorney Gilgun presented the project to the Lexington Commission on Disability on July 21, and the Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees listed 80 Bedford Street on its July 23 meeting agenda. The outcomes of those discussions have not been made public.
The Planning Board endorsed a definitive subdivision plan for the property on Jan. 7, after approving it in late 2025.
How to weigh in
Written public comments are due to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Residents can also attend the Sept. 16 Zoom hearing to speak during the public comment period.
No vote date has been set. The board may continue the hearing again or close testimony and deliberate at a future meeting.
