Cochituate Road committee narrows scenarios as Feb. 15 report deadline nears

WAYLAND -- January 27, 2026, Wayland advisory panel trims draft report on 212 Cochituate Road housing as Feb. 15 deadline looms. The 212 Cochituate Road Advisory Committee spent Tuesday absorbing input from three abutters and three Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee members on a draft report recommending a Request for Proposals for the four-acre town parcel. Chair Tom Fay read a Town Counsel opinion that the state allows local preference for up to 70 percent of affordable units; HRDEI member Karen Blumenfeld urged expanding any preference to a 15-mile radius to avoid "repeating the demographics" already in town. Committee member Bill Whitney, citing "45 years" of overlong meetings, pushed to move regulatory background into appendices. Members tentatively agreed to fold Scenario 4 into Scenario 3 and to strip specific unit counts. January 7 minutes were approved 7-0.