By Richard Conn/Daily News Staff
Daily News Tribune
Posted Jul 10, 2008 @ 11:25 PM

It's roughly 47 acres of untouched land along Trapelo Road, and local legislators and activists have tried to make sure it stays that way.

Known as Lot 1, the undeveloped portion of the former Middlesex County Hospital campus is located in Lexington and would surely be eyed by developers if it ever went on the market.

State. Rep. Thomas Stanley, D-Waltham, who along with state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, and state Rep. Jay Kaufman, D-Lexington, has worked on a bill to have the land moved under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Stanley said yesterday he hopes legislation can be "pushed over the goal line" before the Legislature's session ends July 31.

"We're trying to get it through the Senate now," Stanley said.

The bill seeks to transfer the Lexington parcel from the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to the Department of Conservation and Recreation so the land will be kept out of a developer's reach. Earlier this year, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill to transfer 6.5 acres of the Lot 1 land that lies in Waltham from the state to the city. That section will be left undeveloped and used for recreation.

Because of its size, Stanley said the Lexington parcel would be more sought after by developers and that Lexington likely wouldn't be able to afford to buy the property.

"It's worth a lot of money, millions and millions of dollars," Stanley said.

Advocates for its protection have noted Lot 1's conservation value, namely high-quality woodlands, significant wetlands, meadows and several vernal pools.

The entire Lot 1 parcel is also part of The Western Greenway, which includes about 1,000 acres of undeveloped land that runs through Waltham, Belmont and Lexington.

Marc Rudnick, a member of the Waltham Land Trust, said the Lot 1 parcel is an "irreplaceable" link in the Greenway chain.

"Its strategic importance is that it's a link in the Greenway for which there is no other alternative route," Rudnick said.

Rudnick said the 47-acre parcel is also important because of its "pristine nature" and that it's one of the few undeveloped sections along Trapelo Road that can still be preserved. Stanley said protecting any land along Trapelo Road is also important because the roadway is already "overburdened" by development.

Stanley said the bill would need to be approved by both the House and Senate and then signed by the governor.

Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
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