Business

Officials Debate Best Way to Encourage Businesses Using Comprehensive Plan

By |

The town’s Comprehensive Plan should work to attract businesses in industries like biotech, high tech and design, as well as look at ways to attract and keep small businesses, Watertown officials reviewing the document said. Members of the Planning Board and the Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee waded through the Economic Development section of the Comprehensive Plan this week. One of the goals looks at attracting the booming businesses seen around Kendall Square in Cambridge and around the Boston area.  This includes industries such as biotech, life sciences, information and media, and design and engineering. One way the town could attract biotech firms is by gaining a “platinum” rating from the Mass.

Development

Garage Presents a Sticking Point in Athenahealth’s Plans for Arsenal Complex

By |

The new owner of the Arsenal on the Charles, athenahealth, has a grand vision for revitalizing the complex, but one feature may stand in the way of getting approval from the Town Council – a seven story parking garage. The company bought the 29-acre complex between Arsenal and North Beacon streets to be its corporate headquarters and company officials want to add more than just additional space for athenahealth, said Bridger McGaw, director of athena environment told the Town Council. The company has a master plan, which it seeks approval from the town so the approval process can be streamlined. Athenahealth would like to bring in retail stores, restaurants and even put in a beer garden. Another idea is to create a “Quincy Market-like” area by putting glass over areas between the “finger buildings” – the long buildings east of the Arsenal Center for the Arts.

Development

Sideris Calls for All Developers in Town to Come Talk About Their Plans

By |

Town Council President Mark Sideris wants to get developers of all projects planned for Watertown to come and tell residents what they have planned for their property. Tuesday night the Town Council declined to approve a moratorium on developments on Arsenal Street, but decided to fast-track creating design standards and design guidelines for all developments in town. Sideris said he ran the idea past Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon, who advised against having a developer summit. “I am not going to listen to him,” Sideris said. “All people with projects in the East End, the West End and the rest of town will come and talk about what they want to bring forward.

Government

Board Sends Housing Section of Comprehensive Plan Back for Overhaul

By |

The Housing section of the Watertown Comprehensive Plan focuses too much on affordable housing and does not have a clear stance on what kind of residential developments should be built in town, said the boards reviewing the plan. Looking at the goals in the housing section of the Watertown Comprehensive Plan, the members of the Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee and the Planning Board said the recommendations focus too much on creating affordable housing and not enough on what kind of housing should be added. Town Councilor Susan Falkoff said she has heard differing views from residents. “Do we want families or do we not want families,” Falkoff said. The large developments with mostly one- and two-bedroom units tend to attract single people or childless couples.

Development

Council, Planning Board Worry Comprehensive Plan is Too Specific

By |

As they started to delve into the draft of the 200-plus pages of the Watertown Comprehensive Plan, members of the Planning Board and Town Council said some of it has too many details that could lock the town into something that does not make sense. The group, made up of the Planning Board and the Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee, looked at the vision statement and the Land Use portion of the plan on July 14. Some of the things that worried them was that some of the goals had specific numbers for how to change zoning or building requirements. Planning Board Chairman John Hawes said he is not comfortable the statement in the Arsenal Street Corridor section saying that residential projects with frontages right on the street should be allowed, as well as the statement that the setback should be reduced from the current 25 feet. “I think that needs more discussion,” Hawes said.

Government

Town Council Approves Medical Marijuana Zoning

By |

The Town Council approved a zoning change that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries in certain parts of Watertown. 

The facilities would only be allowed in areas zoned for industrial use (I-1, I-2 or I-3). The marijuana dispensaries would not be allowed to operate within 500 feet of a place where children commonly congregate, such as schools, parks and child care facilities. The Council voted 6-1, with Councilor Angeline Kounelis, who represents East Watertown, voting against the proposal. “There was a statement that these would be in ‘out of the way locations.'” Kounelis said. “The out of the way locations are all in East End of Watertown.

Development

Town Council, Planning Board to Begin Examining Comprehensive Plan

By |

The Comprehensive Plan will get a thorough examination by the Planning Board and a subcommittee of the Town Council beginning Monday, July 14. The joint meeting of the Planning Board and the Economic Development and Planning subcommittee will be held at 7 p.m. in Town Hall inside the Council Chamber. The meeting is the first of three scheduled to go over the details of the document that will help shape the future of Watertown. Other meetings will be held July 21 and August 18, and will also be in Town Hall. The first meeting does not have a set agenda, Planning Board Chairman John Hawes said during a board meeting last week.

Development

Council Considering Options for Arsenal Street Moratorium

By |

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.