The Planning Board was very active and productive during 2003. Among other issues, the Board completed and began to implement a comprehensive Economic Development Plan, reviewed a new multi-family residential zoning proposal for the Belmont Uplands and approved the redevelopment of the former Volkswagen site on Trapelo Road. The Board held (20) meetings throughout the year to discuss these proposals and other important issues. A brief summary of the year’s highlights is presented.
The Board included Chairman Joseph Barrell, members Deborah Emello, Karl Haglund, Andrew McClurg, and James Heigham. Mr. McClurg served as the Planning Board representative to the Housing Trust and volunteered to attend the Belmont Economic Development Planning Group meetings as the Board’s representative. Mr. Heigham continued to be the Board’s representative on the Warrant Committee.
The most visible accomplishment of the Board was the completion of a comprehensive Economic Development Study. While this proactive planning study focused on the Trapelo Road/Belmont Street corridor, work encompassed the entire community. It was commonly referred to as “The Corridor Study.” Unlike previous projects, public participation was actively sought and the response was extremely positive with excellent attendance at the meetings and numerous visits to the project web page. Over 30 recommendations were presented by the Town’s consultant, the Cecil Group, to promote economic development, improve the zoning and provide for pedestrian and transportation improvements. Town Meeting acted favorably on several zoning amendments and additional amendments will be brought forth as the Board
continues to implement the recommendations over the next several years. Mr. McClurg and Mr. Haglund also led several community meetings to begin discussing the possible implications of the proposed traffic improvements. The Planning Board, in conjunction with the Traffic Advisory Committee, will continued to wrestle with how to implement the recommended traffic improvements. The Board compliments the Cecil Group for their fine work on this important project.
O’Neill Properties, owners of the 15 acre Belmont Uplands, returned to the Town with a second rezoning petition to allow a high density, residential project on the site. Town Meeting originally approved the re-zoning for an office and/or “R & D” building in the spring of 2002. However, the declining real estate market for office space forced O’Neill to return to the Town and seek a rezoning of the property. The Board opened a public hearing in May to discuss the proposal and held many meetings ultimately continuing review of this proposal into 2004. The Board will continue to work on this proposal with the Town’s consultants and O’Neill in 2004.
The Board also held a public hearing on proposed changes to the Belmont Zoning By-Laws that were designed to make the text more user and business friendly. These changes were originally drafted by the Senior Planner upon the request of the Board of Selectmen to try and make Belmont a more business friendly place. The Planning Board recommended them and each was adopted by Town Meeting.
The proposed rezoning of a portion of the former Volkswagen dealership on Trapelo Road was withdrawn but the Board eventually approved the commercial redevelopment of the site through Design & Site Plan Approval. The existing buildings will be demolished and a new one-story commercial building is expected to be constructed in the spring of 2004. The property owner recently announced that CVS will be occupying much of the space.
The Fair Housing Committee worked with the Board to modify its Inclusionary Zoning By-Law in response to a close defeat of the by-law at the Fall 2002 Town meeting. Staff at the Office of Community Development assisted the authors in crafting changes in response to concerns expressed by Town Meeting members. No opposition was noted at the second public hearing and the revised proposal received more than the required 2/3 majority vote at the 2003 Annual Town Meeting.
Discussions continued throughout the year on resolving outstanding issues with the long-awaited McLean development. The Northland Residential Corporation filed for building permits after fulfilling the conditions of the Design & Site Plan Approval. Unfortunately, a last minute appeal of a sewer permit by the interveners stopped the project once again. The appeal of the affordable housing condition for the American Retirement Corporation (ARC) did not make it to court in 2003, though this continues to be an unresolved issue. ARC rebuffed municipal efforts at mediation. A determination of Junction Brook as an intermittent stream also remained unresolved before a state environmental appeals board. The Board and OCD planners will continue to monitor these issues.
The Board would like to thank OCD staff, Senior Planner Timothy Higgins and Planning Coordinator Jeffrey Wheeler for their technical and administrative support throughout the year. The Board also thanks Adriana D’Andrea for her assistance in obtaining meeting places for the Board, and for posting and mailing information about the Board’s many meetings. Thanks are also extended to other town committees, and departments that reviewed and commented on the numerous projects and issues before the Planning Board.
2004 should be an interesting year as the Board continues to implement recommendations from the Corridor Study, promoting permitting and zoning improvements, and resolving the Belmont Uplands development. Specific projects include the re-use plan for the Waverley Square Fire Station and the potential development of Waverley Square Air Rights over the railroad tracks being completed in cooperation with the MBTA. The Planning Board welcomes public participation and all of its meeting notices and current information on active projects are posted on the Office of Community Development website. Commentary and recommendations can also be forwarded electronically to the Planning Board at thiggins@town.belmont.ma.us or jwheeler@town.belmont.ma.us.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph P. Barrell, Chairman
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