News & Updates

November 2023 | Issue 12

Waterfield Development: “New Design”? Planning Board This Tuesday, 11/14

Join the Planning Board virtual meeting TOMORROW, November 14th, to see what building design change(s) will be needed under the fire safety code. Register here.

At the last session on 10/24, Winchester Fire Department’s three concerns were as follows:

Front driveway is more than 150 feet long, triggering a requirement for a fire truck sized turn-around area.
Access area or alley behind the building (near Church St. businesses) is so narrow that any parked car or other object would block access for fire personnel to get through and needs to be wider.
Insufficient fire access from Church Street, since all existing driveways from the site are on privately-owned land.

Adequate access to the building by firefighters and equipment in case of emergency is a critical need. Civico had requested additional time to allow their design team to address the Fire Chief’s comments. Civico will present the changed design on 11/14/24 and is still seeking Planning Board's approval of their zoning special permit.

Upcoming Dates of Interest

Nov 20

On November 20 from 6:30-8:00PM, Senator Jason Lewis is hosting a livestreamed conversation on YouTube with Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. After hearing about the recent state investments, there will then have an expert panel discussion with:

Laura Rosi, CEO of Housing Families Inc.;
Matt Noyes, Director of Public Policy for CHAPA; and
Alex Pratt, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Malden.

Tune in here.

Nov 21

The Winchester Planning Board is hosting an Interactive Zoning Workshop in person at the Jenks Center from 7:00-8:30PM. The board will present and answer questions on its final proposal for Winchester's MBTA 3A Zoning District allowing multi-family housing "as of right" (no special permit required). This zoning change needs a Town Meeting vote of approval at the Spring 2024 Town Meeting. If the town fails to approve a 3A zoning district, there are penalties (loss of state grant funding options and potential legal action). MBTA 3A zoning has faced vocal opposition in other surrounding towns. Let’s build public awareness and support for this affordable housing initiative.

Further Exploration

As part of a new Racial Wealth Equity Research Center initiative, Boston Indicators commissioned Amy Dain, among the region’s leading zoning experts, to research and write Exclusionary by Design. Based on an extensive review of local planning documents, state reports, and press coverage over the past 100 years, it addresses exclusionary zoning practices in the Boston region. This link includes three ways to engage with the material--including the hour-long webinar recording, the presentation materials, or the full report--depending on how much time you have.