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

Watertown Restaurant Donating Portion of Checks to Help Veterans

By |

On Tuesday, March 24, all Halfway Cafe locations – including Watertown – will take part in a fundraiser for Thanks to Yanks. During that evening, diners who present a donation ticket for Thanks to Yanks will have 15 percent of their checks donated to the non-profit group that supports military members, veterans and their families. To get the donation ticket, visit www.Thankstoyanks.org, the Thanks To Yanks Facebook page, or email info@thankstoyanks.org and a ticket will be sent to you. Halfway Cafe is located at 394 Main Street in Watertown.

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.

Real Estate

Home Seekers Have Several Open Houses to Check Out in Watertown

By |

Several open houses to check out this weekend around Watertown. See details below. $254,900 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit F7701, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom mid-rise, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m.

$699,000 – 40 Upland Road, 4 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom colonial, Open House: Saturday 12-1:30 p.m. Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

$799,000 – 60-62 Riverside St., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, Open House: Saturday 1-3 p.m. Sunday 1-3 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$799,000 – 34 Woodleigh Road, 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 2-3 p.m. Sunday 2-3 p.m.

$850,000 – 20 Center St. 2 unit, 12 total room, 6 total bedroom, Open House: Saturday 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday 2-3:30 p.m.

$409,000 – 36 Woodleigh Road Unit 36, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom 2 family, Open House: Saturday 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday 2-3:30 p.m.

$489,000 – 11 Ladd St.

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.

Business

Tufts Health Plan Collects Items to Help Older Homeless Settle Into New Homes

By |

Tufts Health Plan recently wrapped up a household supply drive for Hearth, a local nonprofit that helps homeless older adults find secure, stable housing. Many of the supplies (though by no means all of them – there were lots of extras!) were assembled into baskets that will be given to the newly settled clients to help them establish their homes. Baskets contained toilet paper, paper towels, a bath towel and washcloths, dish towels, dish soap, kitchen sponges, latex gloves, all purpose cleaner, shampoo, soap, body lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste, laundry detergent and a reusable shopping bag. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation currently also supports Hearth with a grant to fund outreach case managers, who actually help individuals find the housing.