The developer behind a controversial proposal to build an apartment building on Harvard Street has withdrawn his plans and will pursue a smaller building instead. Town officials and neighbors were frustrated by Oak Hill Properties’ original proposal, which called for a six-story, 40-unit building at 429 Harvard Street, the site of a shuttered Citizens’ Bank.… Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Harvard Street apartment building, will aim for smaller project
Category: MBTA Communities Act
Eyes on the State House: Rep. Tommy Vitolo reflects on 2023 and his future
A few things were different for Rep. Tommy Vitolo in 2023, coming into his third term as state representative for the 15th Norfolk District, which covers most of Brookline. “I had more relationships with colleagues and more ability to be part of conversations and not simply be thankful to be in the room for them,”… Continue reading Eyes on the State House: Rep. Tommy Vitolo reflects on 2023 and his future
Town Meeting passes major rezoning plan likely to reshape Harvard Street
On Tuesday evening, Brookline Town Meeting passed a rezoning plan which is likely to reshape Harvard Street, one of the town’s central corridors, and pave the way for the development of hundreds of new apartments and condos. The plan easily achieved the two-thirds margin required, approved by a vote of 207 to 33 with seven… Continue reading Town Meeting passes major rezoning plan likely to reshape Harvard Street
Explainer: Brookline’s MBTA Communities rezoning plan
Brookline Town Meeting will vote on a major rezoning of Harvard Street and other parts of town on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know about the proposal Town Meeting members are voting on and where it came from, based on six months of Brookline.News prior reporting and research. Why is the town doing this?… Continue reading Explainer: Brookline’s MBTA Communities rezoning plan
After years of policy clashes, rival housing groups reach agreement on Harvard Street zoning plan
Two housing advocacy groups in Brookline which are often bitterly opposed have reached agreement on a compliance plan for the MBTA Communities Act, appearing to dramatically increase the chance that a divided Town Meeting passes a rezoning plan this fall which would lead to significant new housing development in town. The law, which requires communities… Continue reading After years of policy clashes, rival housing groups reach agreement on Harvard Street zoning plan
Older homeowners dominate Brookline’s Town Meeting, surveys find
In a town where 52% of households are occupied by renters, according to the latest U.S. census data, homeowners hold an overwhelming majority of seats in the local legislative body, according to several analyses shared with Brookline.News. Town Meeting members are also on average almost 20 years older than the median age of Brookline adults.… Continue reading Older homeowners dominate Brookline’s Town Meeting, surveys find
Select Board signs off on rezoning which could create 800 new housing units
Brookline’s Select Board signed off on a two-part proposal (pdf) Tuesday night which would rezone Harvard Street and the town’s existing multi-family districts. The plan is meant to comply with the state’s MBTA Communities Act, which requires 177 cities and towns to relax zoning rules for multifamily housing near transit stations. The plan developed by… Continue reading Select Board signs off on rezoning which could create 800 new housing units
Town Administrator details “consensus” zoning plan: compliance in M-Districts, more housing on Harvard Street
Brookline’s Town Administrator Chas Carey released details on Thursday of a “consensus” zoning plan developed by the town’s staff to meet the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. His plan is the most detailed and specific look yet at how the town aims to comply with the law, and it will be taken up by… Continue reading Town Administrator details “consensus” zoning plan: compliance in M-Districts, more housing on Harvard Street
Select Board poised for key decision on multifamily zoning law
Editor’s note: Since this story was published, more details have emerged about the town’s plan for a zoning proposal. Click here to read our updated story. Brookline’s town leaders face critical deadlines this month to move toward complying with a state law that mandates zoning changes aimed at paving the way for more multifamily housing.… Continue reading Select Board poised for key decision on multifamily zoning law
Brookline weighs its housing future as zoning law deadline approaches
Brookline is scrambling to meet the requirements of a state zoning law that could shape the town’s housing landscape and character for decades to come. The MBTA Communities law requires zoning changes meant to incentivize more multifamily housing near public transportation in hundreds of towns and cities across Massachusetts. In Brookline, two distinct paths with… Continue reading Brookline weighs its housing future as zoning law deadline approaches