Arsenal Project

Residents Say RMUD Moving Too Fast, Want More Details from Mall Owner

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Around 100 people packed the Town Council Chambers and spilled into the hallway Tuesday night for the public hearing about proposed changes that would pave the way for a transformation of the former Arsenal Mall. More than a dozen residents spoke, many saying they believe more time and thought should be given before making such a major change that impacts a large swath of land on the eastern end of Arsenal Street. The proposed Regional Mixed Use District includes the Arsenal Project, the Watertown Mall and parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The Council did not vote on the changes to the town’s zoning ordinance, but Town Council President Mark Siders reminded his fellow councilors that they must make their decision within 90 days of the of meeting where the Planning Board passed it to the Council ‘s, which would be Feb. 4, 2016.

Arsenal Project

LETTER: Resident Feels Council is Moving Too Fast With New RMUD Zoning

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To the Editor:

The Town Council meeting on Dec. 1 about rezoning the malls should start with singing Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” Here’s why. The proposal to rezone a large part of the Arsenal St. corridor, including both malls, to a Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) is big, complex, hard to understand and will have a huge impact on Watertown. It would allow the Planning Board to give permits at the Arsenal Mall (let alone the rest of the new zone) for almost 3 million square feet, with buildings as tall as the Board will allow.

Development

Athenahealth Reveals Latest Plans, Residents Worry About Parking & Traffic

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Athenahealth’s latest draft of its campus master plan includes fewer buildings, but slightly more parking in its new multi-story parking garage, which concerns nearby residents. Tuesday night, athenahealth officials presented the master plan during the first of two planned community meetings on the project. The company owns the Arsenal on the Charles Complex and plans to add more office buildings, create a large glass enclosure over the “finger” buildings near the Arsenal Center for the Arts and remove much of the surface parking to make way for more open space and storm water management systems.

Along with making the campus big enough for it to be the healthcare technology company’s headquarters, the plan calls for making it more welcoming to residents, said Larry Beals, of Beals Associates, who has been hired by the company. “For years it was an Army facility with iron fences around it and entry by the public forbidden,” Beals said. “(athenahealth President and CEO) Jonathan Bush would like to do the opposite.

Development

Controlling Residential Development Weighed Against Property Rights

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A group of residents have joined with the town to try to come up with a way to prevent Watertown’s neighborhoods from being changed drastically and overbuilt, while at the same time not creating “design police.” During last week’s “Preserving Our Neighborhoods” forum at Watertown Middle School, some in attendance wanted to look for ways to control the teardown of smaller homes and replaced with larger ones. Others did not want any new rules that limit what they can do on their property. David Gamble, a consultant hired by the town to come up with the Residential Design Guidelines – ways to control the development in residential neighborhoods. He said there must be a balance.

Arsenal Project

Impact on River by Arsenal Mall Rebuild, Height of Buildings Worry Residents

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The Planning Board gave their OK to changes to zoning in the area of the Arsenal Project and Watertown Mall which could lead to a major project with commercial, residential and/or office elements including taller buildings. The issue is now in the hands of the Town Council. Residents at last week’s Planning Board meeting about the Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) brought up several concerns about how a new complex at the Arsenal Mall site could impact the town and the nearby Charles River, and said the taller buildings would be too big for Watertown. The RMUD impacts a much larger area than just the Arsenal Project. It also includes the area on the other side of Arsenal Street where the Watertown Mall and Target are located, most of Elm Street and about half of Coolidge Avenue.

Development

LETTER: Resident Supports Residential Design Standards

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To the Editor:

Mr DiMascio’s letter that posits Residential Design Standards as a property rights issue and a function of big, bad government is a Red Herring. What is a Red Herring? It is a distraction, a false lead. I’d guess that the rest of us are happy that drivers, doctors, and restaurants are licensed; that zoning won’t allow a drive-through eatery on a row of two family houses; that dogs have to get rabies shots; that day care centers are inspected. It’s a trade-off when we choose to live in community, on streets with neighbors, and share civic space with others.

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.