Lexington Board of Appeals grants 40-unit affordable housing permit on Lowell Street

LEXINGTON -- January 8, 2026, Lexington's Board of Appeals unanimously approved a comprehensive permit Thursday for a 40-unit affordable housing development at 591 Lowell Street. The board voted 5-0 to grant the permit to Causeway Development LLC under MGL Chapter 40B, approving 10 separate zoning waivers covering building height, density, parking, and tree bylaw requirements, all by 5-0 roll-call votes. Units will be restricted to households earning between 30 and 80 percent of Area Median Income across four buildings with one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. Planning Director Abby McCabe told the board that revised materials had "closed out all the major outstanding items," and stormwater peer reviewer Dylan O'Donnell of Apex Companies confirmed all engineering comments were resolved. Chair Ralph D. Clifford noted the units are contractually obligated to remain affordable in perpetuity, calling the approval "a big step forward for Lexington" in meeting its long-term 40B compliance threshold. A final ratification vote on the formally drafted written permit is expected at the board's last January meeting.