Development

Reappointment of ZBA Chair Stirs Heated Debate Among Council, Others

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Development

Draft of Watertown’s New Design Standards Revealed, Planning Board to Review

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A set up new rules for how commercial and large residential projects can built in Watertown has been revealed, the Planning Board will soon review them at a public meeting. The design guidelines – recommendations for how projects will be built – and design standards – legally binding rules – have been months in the making. In August, when residents pushed for a moratorium on new developments after a number of unpopular projects were built on Pleasant Street and others proposed for Arsenal Street, The Town Council decided instead to to hire a consultant to create the new design guidelines and design standards. This week three documents were released on the the Town’s website, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon: (Click on the titles to view the document)

DRAFT Design Standards – The recommended Design Standards Document is a companion to the Design Guidelines Book and identifies recommendations  to update the Zoning Ordinance.  The document has recommended amendment language by Zoning Article.

Development

Investment Firm Purchases Nearly 100,000 Sq. Ft. Facility in Watertown

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Calare Properties, a private, Massachusetts-based investment firm with a focus on industrial real estate, announced this week that it has purchased a 94,268 square-foot mixed-use facility for $11 million. The facility located on 5 acres at 20 Seyon St. is currently 100 percent occupied, according to an announcement from Calare. The seller was represented by Bill Moylan, Chris Angelone, John Meador, and Bruce Lusa of CBRE|New England in the transaction. “20 Seyon is an attractive investment for Calare that we believe will provide stable, long-term cash flow and a strong risk-adjusted return,” commented Andrew Iglowski, director of Calare.

Development

East End Residents Worry Traffic from New Project Will Overwhelm Neighborhood

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The former Verizon building has an Arsenal Street address, but it sits right against Nichols Avenue so developers would like to open an entrance on that street – a plan that has East Watertown residents worried. Representatives from Boylston Properties revealed plans to turn the former truck facility into office space for tech companies on Wednesday evening. The building would have 185,595 sq. ft. of office space with 565 parking spaces, including a one-story parking deck.

Development

LETTER: Neighbors Respond to Athenahealth’s Proposal for Arsenal Complex

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An open letter from the North Beacon Street Neighbors to Athenahealth and the Town Council:

Thank you for the meeting last Tuesday night. The attendees have had further discussions and we have reached a consensus on what we’d like to see happen next. We appreciate your hard work on reducing the footprint and height of the garage. However, the only way to seriously gauge the effects of this garage on our neighborhood and town is to see how it fits in with an official Master Plan for the whole property. In detail:

1.