Development

Special Meeting Planned on Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning, Signage Rules

By |

Two major changes to the Watertown Zoning Ordinance will be discussed by the Town Council at a special meeting. The public hearing on changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning and the lighting and signage ordinance will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The changes were proposed by the Town Council, have been discussed by the Planning Board and now comes back to the Council. (See details about the changes here.)

Here is the notice on the Pleasant Street Corridor District Zoning:
The proposed amendments to Section 5.16 would incorporate sub-districts within the Pleasant Street Corridor District to define two new areas where a commercial component is required in new development and another where new development would not allow residential.  The language would also modify the build-to-line, clarify the maximum façade length, and require further step-backs for buildings.  The amendments would also update the Table of Uses and Notes to the Table of Uses to reflect the new zoning.  The amendment also includes a zoning map with the new districts (PSCD-1, PSCD-2, & PSCD-3), and the boundary with adjoining T zone. Signage and Lighting Changes
The Town Council will also consider changes for signs and illumination to create a new ordinance for hotel and motel signs.

Business

East Watertown Office Building Purchased, Eyed for Life Science & Tech Firms

By |

A building on Coolidge Avenue has been purchased by a firm that has plans to renovate it for office and research & development space. 

Edgwater Properties LLC bought the 27,000-square-foot building at 150 Coolidge Ave. in East Watertown for $4.3 million, according to a report by Banker & Tradesman. The owner said he seeks to attract the type of life science and technology firms that currently reside in Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Seaport in Boston. Edgewater Principal Mitchell Kassler has an extensive capital improvement program planned for the property, including a new glass front entry feature, a modern facade and build-to-suit office/R&D space. Edgewater has retained CBRE New England E as the property’s exclusive leasing agent.

Development

Planning Board Invites Public to Comment on Proposed Zoning Changes

By |

The Watertown Planning Board will review the proposed changes to the town’s Zoning Ordinance, and seeks input from residents. 

The board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. The board will consider implementing Design Standards and to adopt a separate set of Design Guidelines which are not part of the Ordinance, that together provide requirements and guidance for new development and redevelopment within Watertown. See the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance here: http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16416

Business

See What the Project at Irving, Arsenal Streets will Look Like

By |

After many months of designing and going back to the drawing board, the major residential and retail project at the corner of Arsenal and Irving streets was introduced to the public this week. The mixed-use project named Elan Watertown will include two buildings linked by a two-story glass bridge, an which have 282 apartments and space for three stores or other retail uses. It will be four stories and a maximum of 50 feet high, said architect Tom Schultz of The Architectural Team. The development on the Arsenal Street corridor, a few blocks east of Watertown Square, has been designed by developer Greystar and the consultant hired by the town to develop the new design standards and guidelines – Gamble Associates. It has been a test case for the proposed new design rules.

Development

Reappointment of ZBA Chair Stirs Heated Debate Among Council, Others

By |

Despite objections from residents, the Town Council recently voted to reappoint Melissa M. Santucci Rozzi as Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Councilors voted nearly unanimously to reappoint Rozzi during a Town Council meeting Tuesday, March 10. Prior to the vote, several councilors said they had heard from residents who were unhappy with Rozzi after the ZBA approved a controversial proposal for a CVS in Coolidge Ave. Despite objections from residents, every member of the council expressed support for Rozzi except Tony Palomba, who said he was disappointed at how his fellow councilors reacted to the public’s criticism of Rozzi. Palomba voted present.

Development

Town Hosting Zoning 101 Presentation on How Developments are Approved

By |

To say Watertown has become a hotbed for development is an understatement, and town officials want to let residents and others know about the process developments go through for approval and the state and local laws and regulations that must be followed. Town Council President Mark Sideris announced the public presentation, “The Zoning Act and Municipal Regulation of Land Use,” at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. It will be held Thursday, March 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Watertown Free Public Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room. At the meetings, attorneys Mark R. Reich and Carolyn Murray of Kopelman and Paige – the town’s attorneys – will cover the process from pre-permitting to consideration of by the Planning and Zoning boards through the approval and issuance of variances and special permits, Sideris said. Following the presentation, a question and answer period will be held.

Development

Resident Files Law Suit Against ZBA’s Decision to Approve CVS in East Watertown

By |

One of the most outspoken opponents to the CVS project approved to go in Coolidge Square has filed and appeal in Massachusetts Land Court against the Zoning Board of Appeal’s approval of the project. David Peckar lives on Wells Avenue, behind the recently approved CVS, and he believes the pharmacy will have a negative impact on his home and the neighborhood. The ZBA approved the project on January 28. In his suit, Peckar named as defendants the entire Zoning Board of Appeals – Chairwoman Melissa Santucci Rozzi, Kelly Donato, John Gannon, Christopher Heep and David Ferris – along with Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon and developer and property owner Robert Korff. The appeal will delay the start of construction on the project, Magoon said, although he is not sure for how long.

Development

Residents Invited to Hear About Complex Planned for Irving, Arsenal Streets

By |

See the design of the apartment complex at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets known as Elan that will be submitted to the Planning Board by Greystar. The project that will go on the former Pirolli brick yard has been following the recommendations of the Watertown design standards and design guidelines, and will include around 270 apartments along with space for stores and a restaurant. The meeting will be held Monday, March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington St. in Watertown. Developers Greystar Real Estate Partners and Oaktree FX have periodically met with residents to show designs and get feedback.