The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
City of Watertown is Officially Compliant with the MBTA Communities Law!
The official notice of compliance was sent to City Manager George Proakis on April 9, 2025. This marks a significant step toward the ultimate goals in implementing the Watertown Square Area Plan, and revitalizing Watertown’s downtown.
A (Very) Brief History to MBTA Communities Law Compliance
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted the MBTA Communities Law in January 2021. This required 177 Cities and Towns to establish “at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.” The purpose of the law is to allow for the opportunity to produce new housing by-right, and doing so in areas near transit.
Watertown, along with most other communities that do not have a rapid transit system in it, was required to submit compliant zoning to the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) by December 31, 2024.
For Watertown, a significant part of compliance meant zoning for a minimum by-right housing unit capacity of 1,701 housing units. Unit capacity means the maximum number of possible units zoning allows on a particular site, including all existing units.
After a series of Kitchen Table Conversations, a 3-day design charrette, three well attended community meetings, three sessions of a Joint Hearing to discuss and approve the Watertown Square Plan, and five sessions of a Hearing to discuss the zoning amendments, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a compliant zoning amendment package and zoning map on November 14, 2024.
In the weeks following, City staff compiled and submitted the compliance report to the EOHLC prior to the December 31, 2024 deadline. On April 9, 2025, the EOHLC responded with a recognition of compliance.
What is Next for the Watertown Square Area Plan Implementation?
The next steps in the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan is to further refine the roadway design (which includes streetscape, sidewalk, and open space) and redevelopment planning for the Square. The first steps in these processes are to release “Requests for Qualifications” (RFQ), which requests qualified consultants to propose to the City their abilities in executing the implementation of the Watertown Square Area Plan. That process for the redevelopment planning is underway, with the release of the RFQ for the roadway planning upcoming as well. The goal of the redevelopment planning is to further examine and implement the vision of the community and City in revitalizing Watertown Square. The roadway planning will further refine the streetscape, sidewalk, and open space engineering design recommended in the Plan, do detailed traffic testing, and design a road network that best positions the Square for success.You can expect engagement opportunities to participate in the coming months. Stay connected through these emails and by visiting the City’s website and social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Questions? Feel free to reach out!
You can contact the City directly by dialing 311 in Watertown or by calling 617-715-8660.