Development

Town Holding Meeting to Discuss Ways to Preserve Neighborhoods

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Watertown residents are invited to attend “Preserving Our Neighborhoods: A Community Forum Tools Available to Preserve Neighborhood Character” on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave. 

The forum will include a panel discussion, a slide presentation, Q&A time and next steps. The event is sponsored by the Town of Watertown and the Neighborhood Advocacy Group. The town sent out the following announcement:

Our Comprehensive Plan identified preservation of the architectural heritage, character and fabric our residential neighborhoods as an important focus for Watertown’s longterm vision. In this Forum we will talk about key issues facing our neighborhoods, elements that contribute to neighborhood character, and tools available to manage residential growth and change, including: residential design guidelines, architectural preservation districts, ordinances, and zoning.

Development

Developer Taking Town to Court Over ZBA’s Denial of Hotel Project

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The developer of the hotel project rejected by the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals has taken the town to state Land Court to appeal the decision. Cherag Patel, the head of Elm Hospitality LLC, filed the appeal in Land Court on Oct. 28, and named as defendants the members of the ZBA: Melissa SantucciRozzi, Christopher Heep, David Ferris, Neeraj Chander and Kelly Donato. Patel is being represented by attorney Curtis Dooling of Pierce & Mandell of Boston. The appeal claims the ZBA wrongfully denied the special permit for the 104 room hotel project at 80 Elm Street when it made its ruling on Sept.

Development

Residents Chime in on Development in Watertown’s Residential Neighborhoods

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Town officials have asked for the opinions of residents for some design guidelines that would apply to single- and two-family projects in Watertown’s residential neighborhoods, and they got a variety of opinions on Tuesday night. 

The Community Listening Session at Town Hall was the second of three, with the third one taking place Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Police Station from 6:30-8 p.m.

The session was led by David Gamble, a design consultant hired by the town to work on creating Residential Design Guidelines. He previously helped create Design Guidelines for bigger commercial and residential projects in Watertown’s business districts and main arteries. This process will be more difficult, he said. “I, like many of you, believe your home is like your castle,” Gamble said.

Arenal Street Corridor

Proposed New Zoning for Area of Malls Concerns Residents

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The Planning Board held the first public hearing on Wednesday about potential changes to the east end of Arsenal Street that would expand possible uses from industrial to include retail, office and residential. The proposal concerned and confused many residents who attended the meeting. Boylston Properties, the owners of the Arsenal Project (former Arsenal Mall), proposed zoning changes to allow them to transform the mall into a live-work-play area. The proposal brought forward by Boylston Properties would create a Regional Mixed Use District for the area south of Arsenal Street including the Arsenal Mall, Home Depot and the building with Miller’s Ale House. Town officials added some areas to the proposed RMUD: the area where the Arsenal Mall is located, the west side of Elm Street and part of the south side of Coolidge Avenue.

Development

Watertown Zoning Board Rejects Hotel Proposed for Elm Street

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The Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a five-story hotel proposed to go on a small street off of Arsenal Street in the East End of Watertown. 

The proposal had met strong opposition from residents of Elm Street, and had already failed to get the recommendation from the Planning Board. However, other projects with similar opposition had received the OK from the ZBA. On Wednesday night, ZBA members said they liked the look of the hotel, which had changed since originally being proposed. However, they said project barely fit on the parcel of land, and towered over nearby businesses and homes. Steve Winnick, attorney for the developers – Elm Hospitality LLC – said that he believes the project is in line with the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Watertown as seen in other areas of town.

Business

Arsenal Mall Owners Seeking Special Zoning for Area

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The owners of the Arsenal Project have proposed creating new zoning for the property to allow more types of developments to be allowed, with the goal of making the project a gateway to Watertown. Last week, the Town Council referred the proposal for creating a Regional Mixed Use District to the Planning Board. “An amendment has been proposed, but it is not sign, sealed delivered,” said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. “They proposal would allow broader uses of the property.” William McQuillan, principal of Boylston Properties – the owners of the Arsenal Project (formerly Arsenal Mall) – submitted the proposal under the name BP Watertown Retail LLC.

Development

Officials Want to Discuss Ways of Protecting Watertown’s Neighborhoods

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With single family homes being torn down in Watertown and being replaced by two-family or larger developments, residents have pleaded with town officials to do something to preserve their neighborhoods. Wednesday night, the Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee discussed creating a set of design guidelines for residential neighborhoods and other steps that can be taken to stop what many residents see as unsightly and oversized projects replacing homes in town. Susan Steele, a member of the Watertown Historical Commission, said that several times residents have come to the commission’s hearings trying to save a home due to be demolished and replaced with a bigger project. “They were saying, ‘Can’t you help us?'” Steele said. “We are very limited in what we can do.”