Business

Vote to Help Your Favorite Local Charity Win a Share of $30,000

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The Belmont Savings Bank Foundation today announced the next round of a $30,000 grant competition for its charitable giving initiative in Watertown. Previously, residents nominated local charities that are now eligible for a donation based on voting, according to an announcement from the bank. Through the initiative, the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation will invest $10,000 into three programs located in Watertown. The voting deadline is June 15, 2015. 

All approved organizations have a 20-day period to drive voting which is taking place on the Foundation website. During the initial round, Watertown charitable organizations had until May 20th to submit an application after being nominated.

65 Grove Street

Zoning Board Approves Office Building Redevelpment in East Watertown

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Wednesday night, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a major office renovation, including a new garage, noting that the project had been a collaboration of developers with the town and neighbors. The project at 65 Grove Street, being developed by Cresset Grove LLC, includes 135,000 square feet of office space, and a garage that will fit 295 vehicles. Developer Ed Nardi told the ZBA he does not have a tenant lined up. He envisions it becoming a first-class office building or used for research and development. The site could house one to six tenants, and could have 300-500 employees depending on the use, Nardi said.

Development

Watertown Man Appealing CVS Development Drops Suit

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{Updated May 29 at 11:14 a.m.}

The man who filed an appeal against the Zoning Board of Appeal’s decision to approve the CVS in Coolidge Square has dropped his suit in State Land Court after an agreement deal with the developer. David Peckar lives on Wells Avenue, across the street from the back of the proposed CVS at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. He filed suit against the project saying that that project would negatively impact his home and neighborhood (see details here). He recently told his neighbors that he had dropped the suit.

Development

Town Council to Consider Special Zoning for Arsenal on the Charles

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On Monday June 8, the Town Council will hold a special meeting to discuss zoning changes proposed for the Arsenal on the Charles complex, owned by athenahealth. The company seeks to make changes to the Arsenal Overlay Development District, which covers the complex. The changes would allow the creation of a master plan to redevelop the Arsenal on the Charles. Among other things it would allow an increase of height of new construction, change parking requirements and modify retail categories to allow limited retail uses within the complex. A more detailed list of the changes proposed to the Arsenal Overlay Development District can be seen on the town website (click here).

Real Estate

See the Three Home That Sold in Watertown this Week

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A three-bedroom townhouse near Watertown Square sold this week. $450,500 – 91 Spring Street Unit 13, 6 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full and 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo

$788,000 – 34 Woodleigh Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$880,000 – 77 Summer St. Unit 77,8 room, 3 bedroom, 3 full and 2 half bathroom, Townhouse condo

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Development

Planning Board Has Mixed Views on East Watertown Hotel Proposal

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A proposed hotel on Elm Street failed to get the support of a majority of the Planning Board, but the project will still move on to the Zoning Board for final approval. 
Thursday night the Planning Board heard the proposal for the 104-room hotel at 80 Elm St. – the former Atlantic Battery Company site right behind Target at the Watertown Mall. The hotel is being developed by Elm Hospitality LLC. Owner Cherag Patel said the hotel would not be full service – no restaurant open (just a breakfast area) and no meeting rooms. He could not say which franchise would run the hotel, but said it would be part of the Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton brands. The hotel has undergone some major changes since it was first brought forward at a community meeting in January.

Development

Planning Board Approves Major Apartment Complex on Arsenal Street

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The Planning Board unanimously approved a major apartment complex at the corner of Arsenal and Irving streets. The project has also served as a test case for Watertown’s design standards and guidelines. The complex, called Elan, is being developed by Greystar. It will stretch along Arsenal Street from Irving Street east to another new apartment complex, will have 282 apartments and more than 10,000 square feet of retail space. The retail will sit across a shared driveway from a planned market at the next door property – 202-204 Arsenal St.

Real Estate

Several Colonials and Two-Families Having Open Houses

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This week’s open houses include a town house that has an asking price of $1.499 million. There are plenty of others for those looking for homes in the six-figures, too. $649,999 – 87-89 Duff St., 2 unit, 10 total room, 6 total bedroom, Open House: Saturday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

$434,500 – 34 Union St. Unit 1, 3 bed, 1 full 1 half bath 2 family, Open Houses: Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 2-3 p.m.

$610,000 – 195 Chapman St., 4 bed, 1 full 2 half bath colonial, Open House: Sunday 12-2 p.m.

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$659,000 – 41 Katherine Road, 3 bed, 2 bath colonial, Open House: Saturday 1-2 p.m.

$699,000 – 28 Forest St., 2 unit, 9 total room, 5 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

$789,000 – 191 Edenfield Ave., 4 bed, 3 bath colonial, Open House: Sunday 12-2 p.m.