Development

Planning Board Invites Public to Comment on Proposed Zoning Changes

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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

See What the Project at Irving, Arsenal Streets will Look Like

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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.

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.

Government

Watertown Progressives Holding Open Meeting This Weekend

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Progressive Watertown, a new chapter of Progressive Massachusetts, is holding an Open Meeting on Sunday, March 15 at 4:00pm in the Auditorium at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington Street. At this meeting, voting members will be electing a Steering Committee, which in turn will be electing Co-Chairs and voting to approve a Mission Statement. Visit www.progressivemass.com to join and become a voting member of this new local chapter. For more information contact Richard Marcus at progressivewatertown@gmail.com

 

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Government

Watertown’s New Director of Public Health Has Private and Public Experience

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Watertown’s new director of Public Health comes to town with experience working in the public and private sectors. Deborah M. Rosati began her new post on Feb. 23 after working 11 years in quality assurance/food safety with Legal Sea Foods including as the quality assurance officer since November 2008. She also has plenty of experience working in municipal health departments. From 1989-2003 she worked as director of public health in Wayland, Everett, Lowell and Saugus.

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.

Government

DA Asked to Help Get Answers about Fire Negotiations; Nurses Lend Support

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Former Town Councilor and current Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney has appealed to the Middlesex District Attorney for answers about the cost of negotiations on the Watertown Firefighters’ contract. The Watertown Firefighters continue to push for approval of their contract after more than 5 1/2 years and following the Town Council’s rejection of a state arbitration agreement in December. The negotiation teams have met since the vote, but little ground has been made toward settling the contract according to those familiar with the negotiations. All but one Town Councilor voted to reject the agreement, stating that the agreement would be unfair to the town’s other unions because it included increases that they did not receive during difficult budget years. Petitto Devaney told the Town Council last week that she has written a letter to Middlesex DA Marian Ryan seeking help to get answers from town officials.