Cross-posting from the Squares + Streets page:
Squares+Streets Small Area Plan
The newly-announced Small Area Plan for the Roslindale Squares+Streets initiative sets an exciting, long-overdue vision for new public investment and housing development in our neighborhood center. It recommends location, scale, and design standards for future development on our main streets, and it identifies priority improvements to public spaces, intersections, and transportation infrastructure.
Perhaps most importantly, the plan’s land use framework will inform the Planning Department’s zoning recommendations in early 2025. The plan and the zoning recommendations are the culmination of Roslindale’s Squares+Streets process that began in January 2024.
Now is the time to make your voice heard!
Get involved with the action steps below and share our flyer.
ATTEND AND MAKE A COMMENT
at the public meeting (tomorrow!) which will focus on the draft small area plan
Wednesday, January 8 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Virtual Meeting
TELL THE PLANNERS AT BOSTON PLANNING WHAT YOU THINK
at In-Person Office Hours
Roslindale Community Center | 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131
Tuesday, January 7 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Wednesday, January 15 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Thursday, January 30 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS ONLINE
At the bottom of this page.
JOIN THE ONLINE DISCUSSION
Perci is hosting a discussion board for questions and comments about specific proposals in the plan.
Squares+Streets is one of several ongoing land use initiatives pursued by the Boston Planning Department that will impact Rozzidents. Others include:
- The Anti-Displacement Action Plan will include tools and policies to mitigate the effects of residential and commercial displacement, whether stemming from rezoning here in Roslindale and elsewhere in the city or from other factors. Expected release: Winter 2025.
- The citywide Neighborhood Housing zoning initiative to start zoning residential properties with up to 4 homes in a way that is consistent both with the existing residential development pattern and our city’s desperate need for more housing. Among the anticipated changes in the rezoning will be enabling property owners to make home improvements or add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) without the need for an expensive and time-consuming variance process. We understand that Phase 1 of the Neighborhood Housing effort will address the existing zoning for large lots (~ 60’ wide). Expected completion: 2025.
And 2024 is a wrap!
On behalf of WalkUP Roslindale, best wishes on a healthy and happy new year 2025 to everyone who checks in here from time to time! Here’s hoping we cross paths early on as the Squares & Streets process in Roslindale Square picks up pace early next month. Until then!
WalkUP Roslindale Snow Clearance Collaborative Version 7.1 – WE ARE A GO!!! ALL FORCES ONTO THE STREETS!!!
Well, this one snuck up on us and our old friend Boston Yeti! We have about 6″ of snow on the ground here from yesterday’s winter weather event, so we are calling our forces out onto the snowy streets to clear bus stops and curb ramps for our neighbors. As has been the case, if you send us pix of the clearing you’ve done, we will send you back $10 in Rozzie Bucks as a reward and heartfelt thank you. Send pix to matthew.j.lawlor@nullgmail.com. Thanks!!!
Public meeting tonight (12/11) on Hyde Park Ave Redesign and Other Upcoming Events
- Wednesday 12/11/24 TONIGHT 6:00 – 8:00 PM @ BTU School (25 Walk Hill St, Boston, MA 02130)
Hyde Park Ave Multimodal Corridor Open House - Thursday 12/12/24 Tomorrow
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan to be released - Wednesday 1/8/25 6:00 – 8:00 PM (virtual) – rescheduled from 12/18
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan Public Meeting - Monday 1/13/25 6:00 – 7:30 PM (virtual)
Neighborhood Housing Zoning – Public Meeting
Comment Letter on Squares + Streets Zoning Amendments
Today, we sent in our comment letter on the proposed zoning amendments from the Squares + Streets initiative. Given the significant impact on our core issue of housing, we collaborated with Rozzidents for More Rozzidents and Abundant Housing Massachusetts on the comment letter. The full letter is reproduced below.
UPDATED – Upcoming events: Walk-Shop, Dedication of Flora Way, and Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston
The Boston Public Improvement Commission (PIC) approved the renaming of Bussey Street this week, which bisects the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University between Walter and South streets, as a result of a two-year campaign by local Roslindale and Jamaica Plain activists and organizations. The street will be renamed Flora Way, to elevate the name of Flora, a Black woman enslaved in the local area during the 18th century. Please see this flyer and join for the dedication ceremony on 10/26. Some other upcoming events that may be of interest:
- 10/12 Saturday 9am – 1:30pm
Mike Tormey (BTD Project Manager running the below Walk-Shop) @ the Farmer’s Market in Adams Park
Mike will be at a table for the duration of the Farmer’s Market. Please stop by and say hello! - 10/16 Wednesday 5:30pm
Roslindale Square Transportation Walk-Shop
At this informal walk-shop, meet the Boston Transportation Department Project Manager (Mike Tormey) who will be leading the work in Roslindale Square. Share your ideas, hopes, and visions for the transportation network. We’ll meet at the flagpole in Adams Park and set off at about 5:30pm, walking approximately 0.5 miles to the Birch Street Plaza. We’ll discuss the streets and intersections around the square. - JUST ADDED: Mayor’s Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2024; Time: 7:00PM; Location: William H. Ohrenberger School; 175 W Boundary Rd, West Roxbury, MA 02132 – RSVP Here NOTE: This is posted here solely for the purpose of getting information out regarding this meeting. WalkUP Roslindale has not taken a position with respect to any particular proposal or policy on this issue.
- 10/26 Saturday 2:00pm (rain date 10/27)
Dedication of Flora Way @ Arnold Arboretum between Walter St Gate and the current Bussey St gate
Local residents and organizations, with the support of the Arboretum and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, led a community effort to rename Bussey Street for Flora, a Black woman enslaved in this area in the 18th century.
REMINDER: Major South Side Orange Line Shutdown Underway – Travel Options Available – 8 to 20 October 2024
DIRECT FROM THE MBTA:
REMINDER: Orange Line Service Suspended for 13 Days Between Forest Hills and Back Bay October 8 – 20, Suspension Extended Between Forest Hills and North Station October 12 – 14
This notice serves as a reminder of the upcoming Orange Line closure previously announced on September 18.
Following up on the previous announcement on September 18, the MBTA is today reminding riders that Orange Line service will be suspended between Forest Hills and Back Bay October 8 – 20 with the service suspension extended between Forest Hills and North Station October 12 – 14.
Riders can find more information at mbta.com/OrangeLine. More information on these service changes and alternate travel options is below:
- October 8 – 11, October 15 – 20:
- Between Forest Hills and Back Bay
- Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
- Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station.
- Between Forest Hills and Back Bay
- October 12 – 14:
- Between Forest Hills and North Station
- Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
- Riders should note that there will be no shuttle bus service between Back Bay and North Station. Riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley for travel through the downtown area. The MBTA will increase Green Line service during this time to accommodate anticipated increases in ridership.
- Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station.
- Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
- Between Forest Hills and North Station
- Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should budget ample extra travelling time. For example, a rider travelling to Downtown Crossing from Forest Hills should anticipate an extra 40 minutes in addition to their regular commute. Again, riders are strongly encouraged to consider the fare-free Commuter Rail during this service change.
- Commuter Rail trains operate about every 30 minutes during morning and evening peak periods. Travelling between Forest Hills and Back Bay on the Commuter Rail is about 10 minutes. Commuter Rail schedules are available at mbta.com.
This service change is in place to support critical work as part of the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more.
The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service. We thank riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system.
More information is also available through in-station signage and public announcements. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA for up-to-date service information.
Revised Squares + Streets Roslindale Square Schedule Announced!
As some of our readers may have heard, the City’s Planning Department are now projecting the following milestone dates on the Squares + Streets Roslindale Square small area planning process based on current progress:
- Mid-October: Draft Small Area Plan for Roslindale Square study area will be released for public review (45-day comment period). The small area plan is expected to include revised recommendations that integrate public input from the Ideas Reception Survey under the following five categories: Housing+Real Estate, Small Business, Arts+Culture, Open Space, Transportation, and Land Use Framework and Design.
- Early November – Draft Zoning Map Amendment released for public review (30-day comment period). The map, which will be drawn based on the public input on the Land Use Framework, will illustrate parcels recommended for rezoning, and the specific Squares+Streets zoning categories recommended to be applied to those parcels.
- Early December – Public comment periods end.
- January – BPDA Board votes on the adoption of the Plan and Zoning Map Amendment.
- February/March – (Depending on the outcome of the BPDA Board vote) Zoning Commission votes to add the Zoning Map Amendment into the zoning map for Roslindale.
Here’s a helpful timeline graphic that was provided with the revised schedule:
Open Letter in Support of Squares + Streets
This week, we sent an open letter to the Boston Planning Department (formerly known as BPDA) in support of certain pro-housing and transportation aspects of Squares + Streets. Our full letter is reproduced below and is also available as a PDF.
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