Plan for Rte. 9 high-rises eyed
But wider effects of Rte. 9 plan eyed
By Megan Woolhouse, Globe Staff | June 17, 2007
A zoning change that has the backing of city officials would allow construction of two 14-story buildings along Route 9 at Chestnut Hill Square and open the possibility of construction of similar developments elsewhere in Newton.
The change is drawing criticism from an alderman who fears that the taller buildings will alter the city's character.
Currently, buildings in Newton are limited to eight stories, but only with a special permit granted by the Board of Aldermen. Most are limited to three stories.
Newton-based New England Development is seeking the zoning change, which has been under review by the city's Planning Department.
Earlier this week, City Planner Michael Kruse released his latest recommendations on the proposal to the city's Zoning and Planning Committee. They included:
Allowing the new building to reach up to 14 stories.
Requiring the developer to include above-ground garage space in its building height calculations.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/17/plan_for_rte_9_high_rises_eyed/
Requiring developers to study traffic problems one year after the new buildings reach occupancy.
Providing clearer rules for open space requirements.
The committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its June 25 meeting. If approved, it would go before the Board of Aldermen for consideration at its July 9 meeting.
Kruse said the only project currently affected by the zoning change is the Chestnut Hill Square project.
Other developers coming to the city could take advantage of the change, he said, but any proposal would have to receive a special permit from the aldermen.
He also said the zoning would be limited to certain parcels. First, it would apply only to areas zoned as Business 4 and Business 5, of which there are only about a dozen in the city.
The change would also only apply to projects on parcels 10 acres or larger.
"Practically speaking, you could say this amendment doesn't apply to any other part of the city right now," he said, though he acknowledged that it could one day be cited by developers looking to undertake similar projects.
New England Development has proposed building Chestnut Hill Square on 11.5 acres on Route 9 across the street from the Mall at Chestnut Hill. Plans call for two 14-story residential towers atop a two story parking garage, as well as a six-story residence nearby.
In all, the project would create 226 condominiums, some priced at $1 million. Additionally, the developer would build a block of two- and three-story retail buildings with a street down the middle and five floors of parking.
The state's secretary of environmental affairs granted approval of the project in January.
City officials have said it is expected to bring the city an estimated $2.9 million a year in taxes, money that could be used to repair and rehabilitate schools and other municipal buildings
But wider effects of Rte. 9 plan eyed
By Megan Woolhouse, Globe Staff | June 17, 2007
A zoning change that has the backing of city officials would allow construction of two 14-story buildings along Route 9 at Chestnut Hill Square and open the possibility of construction of similar developments elsewhere in Newton.
The change is drawing criticism from an alderman who fears that the taller buildings will alter the city's character.
Currently, buildings in Newton are limited to eight stories, but only with a special permit granted by the Board of Aldermen. Most are limited to three stories.
Newton-based New England Development is seeking the zoning change, which has been under review by the city's Planning Department.
Earlier this week, City Planner Michael Kruse released his latest recommendations on the proposal to the city's Zoning and Planning Committee. They included:
Allowing the new building to reach up to 14 stories.
Requiring the developer to include above-ground garage space in its building height calculations.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/17/plan_for_rte_9_high_rises_eyed/
Requiring developers to study traffic problems one year after the new buildings reach occupancy.
Providing clearer rules for open space requirements.
The committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its June 25 meeting. If approved, it would go before the Board of Aldermen for consideration at its July 9 meeting.
Kruse said the only project currently affected by the zoning change is the Chestnut Hill Square project.
Other developers coming to the city could take advantage of the change, he said, but any proposal would have to receive a special permit from the aldermen.
He also said the zoning would be limited to certain parcels. First, it would apply only to areas zoned as Business 4 and Business 5, of which there are only about a dozen in the city.
The change would also only apply to projects on parcels 10 acres or larger.
"Practically speaking, you could say this amendment doesn't apply to any other part of the city right now," he said, though he acknowledged that it could one day be cited by developers looking to undertake similar projects.
New England Development has proposed building Chestnut Hill Square on 11.5 acres on Route 9 across the street from the Mall at Chestnut Hill. Plans call for two 14-story residential towers atop a two story parking garage, as well as a six-story residence nearby.
In all, the project would create 226 condominiums, some priced at $1 million. Additionally, the developer would build a block of two- and three-story retail buildings with a street down the middle and five floors of parking.
The state's secretary of environmental affairs granted approval of the project in January.
City officials have said it is expected to bring the city an estimated $2.9 million a year in taxes, money that could be used to repair and rehabilitate schools and other municipal buildings
