Development

Man Who Was a Watchdog on Arsenal Mall Project is Up for Spot on Planning Board

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A man who gazed a critical eye on the proposed renovation of the Arsenal Mall has been nominated to fill an opening on the Watertown Planning Board – the group that will make decisions on that and other projects in the new Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD). Gary Shaw has been recommended as the new member of the Planning Board by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Shaw is an architect who has worked on some major projects around New England who lives in Watertown, and he would replace Neal Corbett who stepped down from the board. Shaw, along with the other four members of the Planning Board – John Hawes, Jeffrey Brown, Linda Tuttle-Barletta and Fergal Brennock – will be interviewed by the Town Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning. A recommendation will then the sent to the full Council on whether to approve these appointments.

Development

Community Meeting Announced for Athenahealth Campus Renovation

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A community meeting will be held to discuss the proposed renovation of the athenahealth campus at the Arsenal on the Charles. 

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Coolidge School Apartments, 319 Arlington St. Several new buildings have been planned, as well as a large new parking garage on the west side of the complex. This has been a sore point for nearby neighbors who said the last version included a garage that is too tall and too close to North Beacon Street. Full set of the athenahealth plans can be seen online or view in person at the Planning Office on the third floor of Town Hall from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Arsenal Project

New RMUD Zoning That Will Transform the Area Around the Malls is Approved

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After months of debate and revisions, the Town Council and Planning Board approved new zoning on Wednesday that will vastly change the east end of Arsenal Street, near the two malls. 

The Regional Mixed Use District, or RMUD, will change the area from one zoned for heavy industry to a place where a mix of retail, residential and office will be allowed. This opens the way for a major overhaul of the former Arsenal Mall. The plan was approved unanimously by the Planning Board, but the Town Council split 7-2, with Angeline Kounelis and Michael Dattoli voting against the plan. Kounelis said she could support the zoning changes for the Arsenal Project, having seen proposal made by Boylston Properties, the owner of the mall. She said she could not support the zoning changes for the rest of the area, not knowing what is coming.

Development

Concerned Homeowners Host Meeting on Proposed Changes to Residential Property

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Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association invites the public to a meeting about proposed changes to the town’s zoning that would impact one and two family homes. 

The group sent out the following announcement:

All are welcome to attend our public meeting on Thursday March 3rd and learn more about The potential Watertown Residential Design Guidelines and how they can effect YOU the Watertown home owner! March 3 at 7 p.m. – Public Meeting of Watertown Concerned Homeowner’s Association at the Watertown Public Libary, Savings Bank Room – 123 Main Street

For more information about our association and the Watertown Residential Design Guidelines check out our website watertownpropertyrights.org.

Development

Rescheduled RMUD Hearing Coming Up on Wednesday

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The long awaited hearing on the proposed changes to Watertown’s zoning for the east side of Arsenal Street near the malls will finally occur on Wednesday. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, and will include both the Town Council and the Planning Board. The proposal would majorly overhaul of the zoning rules for the area near the east end of Arsenal Street, including the town’s two malls, along with other properties on Arsenal Street, plus parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. Basically, it would change the zoning form industrial to mixed use, which allows for residential, commercial and office project. The proposal also calls for allowing building higher than the 55-f00t limit, and could go as high as 1o stories or 130 feet.

Development

Town Council, Planning Board Will Have to Agree on RMUD Changes

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When the hearing on the RMUD zoning changes was postponed, it meant the proposal was not voted on within the 90 day period, so a new procedure will be needed when the hearing is held on March 2. After Tuesday’s Council Meeting, Town Council President Mark Sideris said the meeting will be a joint session between the Town Council and the Planning Board. They will convene at the Watertown High School Auditorium on March 2 at 6 p.m.

While the Town Council will vote on the proposed changes to the zoning of the east end of Arsenal Street (including the malls and parts of Arsenal Street, Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue), the Planning Board must weigh in, too, Sideris said. “They have to have a say because we didn’t take up the proposal within 90 days,” Sideris said. The new zoning would allow residential, commercial and office developments in an area now zoned for industrial.

Development

Date and Location of RMUD Meeting Has Been Changed, Again

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Tuesday that the meeting to discuss the Regional Mixed Use District zoning amendments has been changed. The original meeting date was cancelled due to snow. A joint public hearing on the Regional Mixed Use District Text and Map Amendment will be held with the Planning Board and Town Council on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 starting at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, 50 Columbia Street, Watertown. The official meeting notice reads, in part:

BP Watertown Retail LLC submitted a petition request for a Zoning Ordinance Amendment and Map Amendment to create a new Zoning District, Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD), and further to amend the Watertown Zoning Ordinance (WZO). The amendments are intended to be in keeping with and implement the recently adopted 2015 Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map, which identifies an area for Regional Mixed Use. This request was reviewed by DCDP Staff and by the Planning Board and now includes amendments of, but may not be limited to:

Modified Definitions (open space),
Use Tables (mixed-use, cemeteries, assisted living, new/used vehicles for sale, light industry, heavy industry, and accessory uses) and Use Notes,
Dimensional Table (change of setbacks, coverage, impervious surface, minimum opens space, height)
Dimensional Notes (overall length and faced lengths),
new RMUD Section (intent, purpose, district delineation, dimensional criteria, authority, and procedure) – Creates a new Master Plan process and identifies the Planning Board as the permit granting authority
Site Plan Review (LEED and Energy Assessments requirements) and Parking, and updates to other sections as appropriate.

Development

Monday’s RMUD Hearing Cancelled, New Date Set to Discuss Zoning Changes

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{Note: The date and location of the RMUD meeting has been changed}

The much discussed Regional Mixed Use District zoning changes that would impact the area near the two malls will not be voted on until March at the earliest. The snow cancelled the RMUD hearing in front of the Town Council scheduled for Monday night. Town officials announced that a new joint public hearing on the RMUD Text and Map Amendment will be held with the Planning Board and Town Council on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 starting at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, 50 Columbia Street, Watertown.