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.

Development

LETTER: Resident Opposes Moratorium on Arsenal Street Developments

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All,

If you move next to vacant or underutilized industrial property you should not be surprised if the site gets redeveloped! I am NOT in favor of a one-year moratorium on the Arsenal Street redevelopment. I am in favor of reasonable refinement of the projects planned based on the Pleasant Street experience gained. Step-backs with height limitations are important. I have lived in Watertown for 25 years now.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Asks for Moratorium on New Big Projects on Arsenal Street

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Dear Director of Planning, Town Council members, Chairman of the Planning Commission and Zoning Officer,

I would like to urge you as a group to give serious consideration to imposing a temporary moratorium on large new projects on the Arsenal corridor while a master plan is developed and zoning is re-written, in order that all development be thoughtfully evaluated in this critical area. The town needs to gain input from stakeholders and to proceed carefully; these decisions will affect residents for many years to come, including my children  and their children. I have lived in Watertown since 1975 and love this community. I want to see it continue to be a place that balances development with the needs of it residents so that it can continue to maintain its strong community orientation. The Community Development and Planning Department has worked hard to develop a Comprehensive Plan; it should be utilized.

Development

Residents, Business Owners Say Pleasant Street Zoning Changes Go Too Far

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The Planning Board got the first public input Wednesday night on proposals to change the Pleasant Street Corridor zoning rules and heard from a lot of business owners and residents who do not like the proposals. Some did not like the restriction of uses proposed by creating three different zones in the area. Others said the new rules to make the area less “canyon-ized” with tall, long buildings close to the street makes some parcels unbuildable. The Pleasant Street Corridor came into existence several years ago when the Town Council sought to redevelop unused or underused former industrial properties in the Westside of town. In the last couple years development has taken off, but virtually all have been residential, and mostly large apartment buildings.