Development

Officials Want to Discuss Ways of Protecting Watertown’s Neighborhoods

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With single family homes being torn down in Watertown and being replaced by two-family or larger developments, residents have pleaded with town officials to do something to preserve their neighborhoods. Wednesday night, the Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee discussed creating a set of design guidelines for residential neighborhoods and other steps that can be taken to stop what many residents see as unsightly and oversized projects replacing homes in town. Susan Steele, a member of the Watertown Historical Commission, said that several times residents have come to the commission’s hearings trying to save a home due to be demolished and replaced with a bigger project. “They were saying, ‘Can’t you help us?'” Steele said. “We are very limited in what we can do.”

Development

Design Firm Wins Architectural Award for Watertown Design Guidelines

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The firm that put together the Watertown Design Guidelines was honored for its work by being named a finalist for an award from the Boston Society of Architects. This month, the BSA announced the Watertown Design Guidelines has been chosen as one of the finalists for the Campus and Urban Planning Awards category. The awards will be announced at the BSA’s Design Awards Gala on Jan. 28. David Gamble, principal of Gamble Associates, put together the design guidelines after holding a series of community forums, as well as working with town officials and the developer of a major project on Arsenal Street.

Development

Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning Approved, Some Still Have Concerns

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Tuesday night, the Town Council approved some major changes in what kinds of developments will be allowed in the Pleasant Street Corridor. The changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District Come just seven years after the area first got special zoning. Town Council President Mark Sideris said the original intent to provide a variety of new developments on unused or underused property did not turn out the way the Council had intended. Instead of a mix of properties, the town got several large residential projects. “Several members were on the Council when we put in the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning,” Sideris said.

Elections

Find Out About the Candidates Running for District B Town Councilor

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This year’s town election is full of interesting races, and the perhaps the most interesting one is District B where four candidates are running for Town Council. With such a crowded field, the town must hold a Preliminary Election to narrow the field to two. The election will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17. Watertown News sent each candidate a questionnaire to find out more about why they are running and who they are.

Elections

Candidate Questionnaire: Patricia van Dinter

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Patricia van Dinter is running for District B Town Councilor. The Preliminary Election is on Thursday, Sept. 17. Why did you decide to run for District B Town Councilor, is there an issue that drew you in? I decided to run for District B Town Councilor because of all the sudden development being done on this side of town.

Elections

Candidate Questionnaire: Kevin MacDonald

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Kevin MacDonald is running for District B Town Councilor. The preliminary election is on Thursday, Sept. 17. Why did you decide to run for District B Town Councilor, is there an issue that drew you in? To be honest, I did not have any intention of running for Town Council.

Elections

Candidate Questionnaire: Lisa Feltner

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Lisa Feltner is a candidate for District B Town Councilor. The preliminary election is on Thursday, Sept. 17. Why did you decide to run for District B Town Councilor; is there an issue that drew you in? Concerned Citizens Group has provided a wonderful opportunity to learn about the concerns and hopes of District B residents, particularly in precincts 4 and 5 from which CCG draws its members. Even before the surge of new developments, I have focused on issues such as traffic, storm water management, curbs and sidewalks, trees, planting strips, and neighborhood preservation, block parties, garden competitions, and educational forums. My passion for community building has evolved into creating partnerships across the district.

Elections

Candidate Questionnaire: Cecilia Lenk

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Cecilia Lenk is running for reelection in the race for District B Town Councilor. The Preliminary Election is on Thursday, Sept. 17. 
Why did you decide to run for District B Town Councilor, is there an issue that drew you in? I first decided to run for Town Councilor, because I thought that I could bring my work and life experience to give back to the community that my family and I love so much. Since first being elected to the Town Council, I’m proud of the work that I’ve done on a host of issues that matter deeply to me – increasing the budget for the Watertown public schools, making our community greener and more sustainable, and making government more efficient, effective, and transparent through the better use of technology and data.