What Happened at the August 15th 7pm MBTA Density Overlay Working Group Meeting
(at the Police Station)
Sample building introduced by a WG member
The Working Group met again at 7pm, Tuesday Aug 15 at the Police Station.
Recording of the Meeting
Here is the video of the meeting, captured on Zoom:
Part 1 https://youtu.be/dJ1N-MI2-Uk
Part 2 https://youtu.be/hvKEk6-vKZY
There were many members of the public between the Zoom link and those in person. Comment was restricted
The Takeaway From The Meeting
They were expected to vote on a roughly 11,000 unit density overlay map and scenario of density overlays, where currently 3,000 homes are. They continued to keep building heights too high for Arlington’s existing abutters and neighborhoods: 6 floors on Mass Ave, 5 floors on Broadway, 4 floors down side streets from the main streets - going back 350’. They kept restricted building setbacks - making open space and shade trees less likely or impossible. It appears they barely acknowledged public concern on the size and overcompliance scope of their proposals.
Latest Density Overlay Maps From The Meeting:
(Town website link):
Last page of link (red edits - ARFRR)
Link to map and scenario from Town website:
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66453/638277948066500000
See below for latest building/lot dimensional proposals
Example Buildings
This building image was proposed by a member of the WG. Notice that there are no parking spots or open space. The WG has proposed no minimum parking in these structures. These could be placed up and down Mass Ave from Lexington to Cambridge, except for historical and business districts exempted. 5 story buildings are still authorized for Broadway and 4 story buildings for side streets leading away from those two main streets.
Motions, Comments and Decisions From The Meeting:
A WG member mis-characterized Belknap St as R1 (Residential single family zoning) on large lots, and made similar statements about Paul Revere Rd. The East Arlington density overlay was previously moved by the Working Group on 8/1 so as to exclude the area of the WG member’s home. The lost area was voted to be placed in Arlington Heights…
MOTION: retain 7.5’ step back for 5th and 6th floors where there is a 0’ front setback on front face only, except for corner buildings.
Pass Unanimous
MOTION: 60% of ground fl commercial must be commercial use; 80% must face the street
Pass 5-1
MOTION: allow 4 stories in neighborhoods to be 48’
Fail 4-2
MOTION: allow 4 stories in neighborhoods to be 46’
Pass 4-2
MOTION: WG authorizes Claire and Laura Weiner to “work on” language of zoning changes
Pass 5-1 It appeared final votes on density unit numbers, location of map and details of setbacks, heights, story heights and other details would be put off until the next meeting of the Working Group. The WG will presumably have to complete its proposal at least several days ahead of the Arlington Redevelopment Board's meetings to review these proposals, set for September 11.
Screenshots
