Development

Citizens Group Trying to Make Sense of RMUD, Propose Recommendations

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If you don’t know what the RMUD is and what it means for Watertown, yet, you should find out. That is exactly the task members of the citizen-run Sustainable Watertown has undertaken. The group has organized four meetings to wade through the complexities of the proposed Regional Mixed Use District that encompasses the two malls in town and other nearby properties on Arsenal Street, Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The zoning would change the area from an industrial one to one where a mix of things would be allowed, including retail, office and residential. As proposed now it would allow taller buildings, and could get close to natural resources such as the Charles River and Arsenal Park.

Business

Watertown Belmont Chamber Board Member Gets NEPMA’s Top Award

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Marillian Missiti, president of Buono Pest Control Company in Belmont and is the 2015 recipient of the New England Pest Management Association’s highest award for distinguished service, the Bartlett W. Eldredge Award. Missiti was presented with the award during the association’s recent annual meeting in Woburn. As president of Buono Pest Control Company, Missiti, works with her uncle, Steven Buono, who is the chief operating officer to operate the firm that was founded 37 years ago by her father Ben Buono. The senior Buono retired in 2015. Missiti has more than 25 years of experience working in the company and has served in a variety of roles.

Development

Find Out About the RMUD Proposal at Upcoming Citizen Led Meetings

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Sustainable Watertown hosted a meeting last week to help people wade through the complexities of the process for rezoning the area near the Arsenal Project and Watertown Mall, and the group has more meetings planned. 

The informal meetings are a time to learn about what the RMUD (Regional Mixed Use District) in the East End could mean for Watertown, how the process works and even what some of the jargon actually means. The second meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 6:45-9 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library

TOPICS: Open Space and Green Space, Definitions, Public Stewardship of the Riverway, Local and State Ordinances and Laws Protecting the River and Riverway, 100 Foot Buffer; Public Parks, Public Access. Nancy Hammett, Presenter

Meeting No. 3 – Tuesday, Jan. 19, WFPL, Time: 6:45-9 p.m.

TOPICS: Traffic, Transit (Including TMA -Traffic Management Association & TMD – Traffic Management District), plus a Street Network Vision within RMUD and connectivity to Watertown consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Arsenal Project

Arsenal Mall Owners Reveal Some Visions for Revamping Their Property

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Residents got a clearer picture of what to expect if the owners of the former Arsenal Mall get the OK to redevelop their property at a meeting Saturday where there were also some mending of fences that were damaged during previous meetings. A complex of smaller buildings with shops and residences would replace the open parking lot currently in front of the Arsenal Project. In addition the newer section of the mall linking the two long historic buildings would be taken down and the historic buildings would be made more inviting. The development could be made if and when the Regional Mixed Use District zoning is approved, which includes not on the Arsenal Project, but the Watertown Mall, other properties east of the mall on Arsenal Street and sections of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The RMUD is currently being considered for approval by the Town Council.

Real Estate

See the Three Homes that Sold in Watertown This Week

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A pair of homes sold in Watertown during the first week of 2016. $565,000 – 188 Boylston St. Unit 2, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$317,000 – 81 Pierce Road Unit 81, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$450,000 – 64 Fayette St. Unit 64, 8 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

Development

Opposition to Changing Watertown’s Residential Zoning Comes Together

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A group of Watertown residents worried that changing the town’s residential zoning rules could hurt property rights is gaining strength after holding a kick-off meeting Thursday night. The Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association’s meeting at the Apartments at Coolidge School attracted about 50 people. The group seeks to spread the word about the Residential Design Guidelines and Standards being proposed in town. The group worries that Watertown homeowners would lose property rights, and that the restrictions could even mean a loss of property value if it is harder to make additions, or residential property cannot be easily redeveloped. “Seniors in Watertown who own their home plan on retiring on that aren’t going to be able to sell their property for as much,” said resident Steve Messina.

Real Estate

Several Open Houses to Choose From in Watertown This Week

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There are a number of open houses in Watertown this week, including some new listings

$679,900 – 5-7 Mangano Ct., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 12-2 p.m. Sunday 12-2 p.m.

$599,900 – 70 Lincoln St., 10 room, 5 bed, 2f 0h bath colonial, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$734,900 – 1 Oakley Road Unit 1, 7 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 1-2:30 p.m.

$550,000 – 121 Lexington St., 7 room, 4 bed, 1 bath colonial, Open Houses: Friday 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday 12-1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$555,000 – 24-26 Morse St. Unit 2, 8 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath 2/3 family, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$549,000 – 123 Waverley Ave. Unit 123, 7 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$965,000 – 24-26 Morse St., 2 unit, 14 total room, 7 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

$475,000 – 24-26 Morse St. Unit 1, 6 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Development

LETTER: Resident Offers Recommendations to Council on RMUD Zoning

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Dear Town Councilors et al.,

Please consider the following recommendations regarding the proposed rezoning of the eastern end of the Arsenal Street corridor. Some of the following will be familiar to some of you, some of it is new. The Process:

Timing: It is more important to thoroughly consider the details of rezoning than to enact a rezoning by any particular date. If there are concerns about potential of-right development under the current zoning, a brief moratorium on large development in the proposed RMU area, until the rezoning is adopted, would be appropriate. Evaluate as a package: The rezoning should be evaluated as a package.