Town Of Arlington: Lynema Named Assistant DPCD Director

Press release from Town of Arlington:

10/19/2021 1:09 PM

The Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Lynema as its Assistant Director. Ms. Lynema will perform professional and technical work, including the drafting and implementation of land use policies for the Town and management of community affairs.

“As a Senior Planner in Arlington, Kelly has already contributed much to the town,” said Jennifer Raitt, Arlington’s Director of Planning and Community Development. “She has been instrumental in advancing several major projects in Arlington, including economic recovery efforts. I am confident she will excel in this new role and look forward to our continued work for Arlington.”

Ms. Lynema has served as a Senior Planner since October of 2018. In addition to serving as liaison to Envision Arlington, she has helped guide the Historic Preservation Survey Master Plan, Mill Brook Corridor Study, Housing Plan, Residential Design Guidelines, and conducting research into land use, housing and economic development for the department and the Arlington Redevelopment Board.

“I am excited to step into this new capacity with the Town of Arlington, especially as we begin to implement our new plans on housing, transportation, open space, and achieving net zero,” said Ms. Lynema. “We have a talented and dedicated team at DPCD, and I am happy to be working with them, our boards, and committees to take action to meet the goals the Arlington community has established in these important plans.”

Prior to her work in Arlington, Ms. Lynema worked at the Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation where she assisted in the implementation of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace Master Plan and developed and implemented the annual public realm program for the marketplace. She was employed as an urban planner for two private sector firms, Utile and NBBJ, where she worked on neighborhood and comprehensive plans for communities across the eastern United States. Ms. Lynema received her Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University and her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Tufts University.

About Planning and Community Development: The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is committed to improving the quality of life for Arlington's residents by improving access to housing and transportation, enhancing the vitality of business districts, providing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households, and preserving and promoting the town's natural, historic, and cultural resources. The department oversees various planning and community development activities within the town of Arlington including implementation of the Arlington Master Plan and administration of the Arlington Community Development Block Grant Program. Staff support a range of Town boards and committees, including the Arlington Redevelopment Board and manage three redevelopment properties: Jefferson Cutter House, Central School (Community Center), and 23 Maple Street. The Department has nine full-time staff members. For more information about the department, go to arlingtonma.gov/planning.

This press release was produced by Town of Arlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.