Commission acknowledges notice of intent to sell portion of Johnson property; declines action on small lot

The Southborough Conservation Commission acknowledged receipt of a notice of intent to sell a portion of the Johnson property (identified as lot 3) and discussed whether the town should exercise its first right of refusal.

Staff described the parcel as about 1.5 acres on the south side of Northboro Road and said, based on a site review and GIS maps, it appears likely to be developed for housing and does not have high conservation value on its own. The commission discussed the broader Johnson holdings, noting larger adjoining lots (including ones abutting the aqueduct) that will come out of Chapter in July and may have substantially more conservation value.

One commissioner recounted an earlier community preservation effort that combined open‑space and housing funds to try to preserve and split the Johnson property between conservation and community housing; that approach is no longer available, and the opportunity was described as a “lost” one.

The commission did not take formal action to exercise first refusal on this small lot and will monitor sales of the remaining parcels that may present stronger conservation opportunities. Staff offered to provide GIS maps and to escalate to the Select Board if commissioners want a formal recommendation when higher‑value parcels are listed.

Next steps: staff to monitor the Johnson property sales and notify the commission before any exercise of first right of refusal or before making a Select Board recommendation.