City Seeks Residents to Serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to Citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472. Information about the Zoning Board of Appeals

Vacancy/Term: One Full Member, Five Year Term. Description: Board of Appeals grants all special permits and variances needed for certain construction and development projects. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, as well as architecture, engineering, landscape design, construction, planning, law, or related field.

Main Street Residential & Retail Project Approved by Zoning Board

The project planned for 104 Main St. was approve by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is a view from Main Street. (Courtesy of O’Connor Capital Partners)

Developers of the project at 104 Main St. knocked a story off the project and widened the public walkway from Main Street to Pleasant Street, and received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

UPDATED: This Week – Main Street Project WILL NOT be at ZBA, Council Making Multiple Votes, Snow Shoveling Ordinance & More

The latest rendering of the proposed project at 104 Main St. It now has five stories, after previously having half a dozen stories. (Courtesy of O’Connor Management)

(UPDATE: The project at 104 Main St. will not be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night). The final week of September is a busy one for local government in Watertown, with the project at 104 Main St.

Council Committees to Interview Nominees for Multiple Boards

Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

A pair of City Council Committees will interview nominees for appointment or reappointment to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, and the Affordable Housing Trust. The Committee on Economic Development and Planning will consider the appointment of Samuel Odamah to the Zoning Board in a term expiring in February 2025. They will also consider reappointing Christopher Heep to the Zoning Board for a term running until February 2028, and the reappointment of Payson Whitney III to the Planning Board for a term ending in February 2026. The remote meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. See the agenda and how to tune in by clicking here.

Developers of 104 Main Street Project Ask for Delay for Zoning Board Hearing

A view of the revised plans for the 104-126 Main Street project. The sixth floor has been scaled back and would not be seen from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

The developers of the proposed six-story project on Main Street requested that the hearing on the case be moved to the August Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. In June, they presented changes to the ZBA, which still had concerns about aspects of the project, including the number of stories and public amenities. The case was due to be back before the board on July 26, but developers requested the case to be continued another month.

Zoning Board Wants More Changes to Main Street Project

A view of the revised plans for the 104-126 Main Street project. The sixth floor has been scaled back and would not be seen from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

Developers of the six-story mixed-use project on Main Street reduced the number of apartments slightly and increased the landscaping along the public walkway along the building, but that did not satisfy some members of the Zoning Board of the Appeals. The hearing for the project at 104-126 Main Street, which stretches to Pleasant Street and Cross Street, was continued for a second time after some Zoning Board members said on Wednesday night that they did not think the project met the requirement to provide public amenities. Meeting that requirement is necessary to get the additional height to allow the sixth story.

This Week: Main Street Project, Traffic Commission Discusses Changes for High School at Moxley Field

A view of the project proposed for 104-126 Main St. viewed from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

The fate of the proposed six-story mixed use project on Main Street may be decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, and the same night the Traffic Commission will discuss the plans to accommodate the temporary high school at Moxley Field. The City Council and School Committee will also meet this week. The Zoning Board of Appeals will continue its public hearing on the project proposed for 104-126 Main St., the six-story mixed use project on Main, Pleasant and Cross streets.

This Week: ZBA Hears Main Street Project, Budget Hearings, Library Director Search

A view of the project proposed for 104-126 Main St. viewed from Main Street. (Illustration by Icon Architecture)

The six-story retail and commercial project on Main Street will be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the City Council will hold two budget hearings, and the Library Board of Trustees will continue discussing the process for hiring a new Library Director. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the mixed use project at 104-126 Main St. that was discussed by the Planning Board in April and May.