Development

Town Council Rejects Moratorium, Will Fast Track New Design Guidelines

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The proposed moratorium that would have temporarily halted development on Arsenal Street was rejected by the Town Council Tuesday night, but instead voted to quickly develop guidelines and standards for how projects can be built across town. A group of residents petitioned the Council to put in the moratorium, and Tuesday’s special Town Council meeting was scheduled to address the issue. Community Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon advised the Council that a moratorium would send the wrong message to developers. “It can send the message we are a community closed for business and not a place to invest in,” Magoon said. In addition, the moratorium can take time to go into effect.

Development

Zoning Board Approves Major Arsenal Street Project

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The major residential and retail project at 202-204 Arsenal Street received final approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night. 

The project includes a four-story, 297-unit apartment building (with 30 affordable rate units), as well as an 80-seat restaurant and a 33,000-square-foot market on Arsenal Street, a little east of Irving Street. The Zoning Board gave its approval after a lengthy discussion and with certain conditions, said Watertown Community Development and Planning Director Steve Magoon. Among the conditions that were already recommended by town Planning staff were that the developers contribute to a transportation management association (TMA) to provide additional public transit to the area. Also, the project will also make improvements to the Community Path along the length of the project. Tuesday night the Zoning Board added some conditions, Magoon said.

Development

Residents Want Developments to Take Account for Nearby Neighborhoods

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With developments along Arsenal Street coming closer and closer, residents have requested that new projects take into account the residential areas near where they will be built, and get that these areas get the some of same protections as the Charles River. Many projects focus on the front of the development and the look from the street, but residents at the Comprehensive Plan Review meeting said their homes should also be taken into account. “Developments need to be blended into the fabric of the neighborhood,” said resident Rena Baskin. She suggested having rules about where green space should go so that developers know what to expect. “They should have green space, not in the middle of the building but near the neighborhood or on the river,” Baskin said.

Development

LETTER: Welcoming SMART Development in Watertown

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First off, I would like to say that no one I have spoken to about a moratorium is anti-development. I do not feel that this is a black and white issue; on the contrary, I feel this is an exciting opportunity for the town—if done well. Whether it’s a moratorium, or hiring a dedicated consultant to help us get the Comprehensive Plan in place, we need to do something fast before it’s too late. Let’s face it: developers need a strong incentive to do the best for the town. Unless we have a good vision, codified into our laws, we negotiate with all developers from a position of weakness and rely on their mercy for our requests.

Letters

LETTER: Concerned Citizens Group’s Mission

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The Concerned Citizens Group submitted the following information about the organization’s mission:
Concerned Citizens Group, Inc. “Neighbors in the Know”
Mission Statement
Our Neighborhood Association was established in 1971. Its goals are:

To keep its members aware of current events in, and pertaining to, the Town of Watertown, MA. To inform, educate, and advise them as to how these events affect our neighborhood. To actively pursue the securing of wise legislation and decisions from Town bodies insofar as our neighborhood is concerned. To keep elected officials, Town employees, and the residents of Watertown aware of issues considered being in our best interests.

Development

LETTER: Town Officials Out of Sync With Constituents on Development

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To the Editor:

I write in response to Councilor Piccirilli’s recent statements in which he warns that the moratorium on development in the Arsenal Corridor could impact town and school budgets. Indeed the Councillor is one of many who plan on funding new priorities with revenues generated by new development. On its face, this appears to be a good strategy, but it is not a justification to rush ahead and make bad concessions that will affect generations to come. The town has already suffered a good deal of bad real estate development. I support the moratorium, but only with reservations.

Development

Councilor Warns Building Moratorium Could Impact Town, School Budget

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Residents concerned about the pace and size of development in Watertown have requested a building moratorium on Arsenal Street, but a Town Councilor said stopping the projects could impact the town and school budgets. The town relies heavily on property tax revenues to fund town departments, including the Watertown Public Schools. Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli said that new development is one of the keys to increasing the budget. The schools too rely heavily on the town’s appropriation. “The school appropriation increased almost 7 percent (for Fiscal 2015), and how were we able to do that under Proposition 2 1/2, was though new growth through new development in town,” Piccirilli said.

Development

Council Considering Options for Arsenal Street Moratorium

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The Town Council voted to have a public hearing to consider how to approach a citizens petition asking for a moratorium on development on Arsenal Street. Wednesday night the Council heard from the petitioners, who want to put a hold on new large projects on Arsenal Street. The petition was started after some large projects have been proposed, and others appear to be in the pipeline. The Council will likely decide how to proceed with a moratorium at the meeting on July 22 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. “Its not only time sensitive because of the petition, but also something being brought forward with all the things (projects being brought),” said Town Council President Mark Sideris.