Board splits 3-1 over ADU lighting waiver

Planning Board · Meeting of September 22, 2026

Lincoln Planning Board splits 3-1 over a garage-loft ADU's noncompliant lights. Member Rob Ahlert cast the lone dissent after the board voted to approve the accessory dwelling unit despite six exterior fixtures that violate the town's 2014 dark-sky lighting bylaw, fixtures the building inspector had already approved before the loft became an ADU. Margaret Olson called denying the waiver "a disservice to our residents," while Ahlert countered, "We have to be strict." A resident named Sherry testified the fixtures could disorient migrating birds.

The board separately approved, on unanimous 4-0 votes, a barn-to-ADU replacement on a Codman Road property removing seven trees and adding a gate, a new ADU at parcel 182-90-0 with dark-sky-compliant lighting, and a landscaping change on South Great Road.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,669 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.