Newton Infill and Small Developments


These people are the worst. This guy is trying to turn his private property, currently a hole in the ground, into a measly 10 or 13 units (depending on the source). He got his financing, he got zoning approval, and under threat from his neighbors and cowardly city councilors he gets his permits yanked.

[Councilor] Leary said the project started out simple—it was approved eight years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic, construction delays and inflation made it no longer financially make sense—and that she “erred” in not looking more closely at it from the beginning.

“So we got stuck on a few things, including the zoning change—and really, some fear,” Leary said. “And I realize that people are really protective of their neighborhoods and their village, and that’s a great thing. People want to protect what’s there, and Nonantum’s a wonderful village. It’s vibrant. It’s got a lot of great businesses. And so, I have to better understand that that’s where that’s coming from.”



Imagine being so scared of your constituents that you will affirmatively vote to keep a gaping hole in the middle of your town rather than adding a dozen condo units in the name of "protecting what's there".
 
Yea its complete bullshit. The incentive structures are broken. Speaking of being protective of their village, you couldnt dream up a more appropriate proposal than that.
 
These people are the worst. This guy is trying to turn his private property, currently a hole in the ground, into a measly 10 or 13 units (depending on the source). He got his financing, he got zoning approval, and under threat from his neighbors and cowardly city councilors he gets his permits yanked.

[Councilor] Leary said the project started out simple—it was approved eight years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic, construction delays and inflation made it no longer financially make sense—and that she “erred” in not looking more closely at it from the beginning.

“So we got stuck on a few things, including the zoning change—and really, some fear,” Leary said. “And I realize that people are really protective of their neighborhoods and their village, and that’s a great thing. People want to protect what’s there, and Nonantum’s a wonderful village. It’s vibrant. It’s got a lot of great businesses. And so, I have to better understand that that’s where that’s coming from.”



Imagine being so scared of your constituents that you will affirmatively vote to keep a gaping hole in the middle of your town rather than adding a dozen condo units in the name of "protecting what's there".
Possible he can sue here...
 
-This article kind of makes it sound like this is being re-filed?

City Council accepts withdrawal of 386-390 Watertown Street request for zoning change and special permit; New building permit filed​


“Not part of Monday night’s discussion was a new building permit application filed by Newton Park Watertown Realty LLC for the original project in its approved configuration — three floors and ten units. The architect for the project, Trevor O’Leary, told Fig City News that the principals would be exploring the costs of the new project, for which they have been granted a $5,079,000 mortgage.”

 
1151 Walnut St, Newton (25 units)
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Lasell Village to Break Ground on McGuire Hall, Honoring Legacy of Civil Rights Leader Jean McGuire​




“Auburndale, MA— Lasell Village, the university-based senior living community affiliated with Lasell University, will break ground on McGuire Hall, a transformative new residence that blends housing with lifelong learning, wellness, and vibrant community living……”

“The new 124,980-square-foot, four-story building will feature 42 light-filled apartments, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, a dining venue, library, and dedicated spaces for art, music, academic classes, and social gatherings. Designed by DiMella Shaffer, McGuire Hall will incorporate sustainable, energy-efficient elements aligned with Lasell Village’s vision of forward-looking, community-based living……..”

https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/l...g-legacy-of-civil-rights-leader-jean-mcguire/
 

Financing Secured for West Newton Armory Development​

“The development team behind the West Newton Armory project has signed a ground lease with The City of Newton for the site and closed on over $26M in financing for the project through First Citizens Bank & Trust. The project will preserve the historic head house of the former West Newton Armory and add a Passive House construction addition to create 43 affordable housing units……..”


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I don’t live close to this part of Newton and I have not interacted with it personally, but every time I drive down the Washington Street corridor it really looks like some very successful developments have come up in the last few years. Hopefully more stuff like this to keep filling it in.
 

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