RE: Boylston Properties proposing 200' and 160' building heights at Arsenal Yards

[Jonathan Bockian]

Sorry if this is a duplicate email.

FYI: The Planning Dept.’s recommendation is available about the Boylston properties proposal to increase the maximum height in the RMUD district. A copy is attached, and it’s online at https://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/25986/RMUD-Height-Change_PB-Packet_10-Oct-2018. DCDP recommends denial. As I understand the report, the primary reason for denying it is that:

“No specific incentives were identified that correlated specifically to increased height. … The Petitioner’s requested zoning amendment does not … suggest new or refined incentives [to merit the additional height] … The current request does not include any incentives to create a clear connection to the community benefits from an increase in height but rather relies on a Planning Board review…. [the proposal] does not provide clear connections to a rational community benefit or a clear rationale for ensuring the Vision of the Comprehensive Plan is fulfilled. The connection to a community benefit that results from the increased height is lacking, particularly when considered in the context of what can be created through the RMUD zone as it exists.”

 

To me this means that DCDP might support the amendment if Boylston Properties revised it to say that the Planning Board should consider allowing greater height if certain types and levels of community benefits, offsets or mitigations are proposed.

 

Jon

 

From: Elodia Thomas [mailto:elodia....@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2018 2:30 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Boylston Properties proposing 200' and 160' building heights at Arsenal Yards

 

Hi Folks,

On Wednesday, October 10th at 7PM the Planning Board will hear an overreaching zoning amendment proposal from Boylston Properties. If approved this will have major impact on our town as we know it. Please read my attached letter and accompanying documents. This meeting is absolutely critical!!!  

 

Best,

Elodia

We Are All Watertown

____________________

Elodia Thomas

617.926.3952

[Barbara]

A neighbor who is an architect just sent me this photo and the caption: Basically, think of Paris. 6 stories. Street-related. Pretty nice river views there, too!

If only.

Barbara Ruskin

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Friends of the Watertown Riverfront" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to fotwr+un...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to fo...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/fotwr.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
<RMUD Height amendment DCDP Report 10-4-2018.pdf>

[RCN]

Yes! The US population is not as creative as Europe, nor do we have the advanced sense of place and history that they have there. It is ONLY about money here. People here are easily dazzled and critical thinking is dead. Besides the fact that no one can even imagine the consequences of today’s decisions. 

On Oct 8, 2018, at 9:49 PM, 'Barbara' via ccgwatertown <ccgwat...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

<PastedGraphic-4.png>

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ccgwatertown" group.
To post to this group, send email to ccgwat...@googlegroups.com.

[mciro]

Thanks, Jonathan. I wish we could just resolve this (refuse it) and end this. It will be rotten if by leaving this open, we get to fight it out for another few months. The Planning Dept. is just not accountable.

Arrggh.

--