{"id":2794,"date":"2022-04-08T12:07:49","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T16:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/?p=2794"},"modified":"2022-04-08T12:35:42","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T16:35:42","slug":"walkup-roslindale-comment-letter-on-59-63-belgrade-avenue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/2022\/04\/08\/walkup-roslindale-comment-letter-on-59-63-belgrade-avenue\/","title":{"rendered":"WalkUP Roslindale Comment Letter on 59-63 Belgrade Avenue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we sent a comment letter<\/a> to the BPDA<\/a> on a proposed residential project at 59-63 Belgrade Avenue<\/a>. We generally support this project as it is constant with our goals and mission, and also offer some suggestions for how the proposal could be improved. Our full letter is below, also available as a PDF<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

April 8, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

BY ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY (caitlin.coppinger@boston.gov)<\/span>
\nBoston Planning & Development Agency<\/span>
\nOne City Hall Square, 9th Floor<\/span>
\nBoston, Massachusetts 02201<\/span>
\nAttention: Caitlin Coppinger, Project Manager<\/span><\/p>\n

RE: 59-63 BELGRADE AVENUE, ROSLINDALE \u2013 SMALL PROJECT REVIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Caitlin:<\/span><\/p>\n

Please accept the following comments on behalf of WalkUP Roslindale with respect to the proposed rental residential development at 59-63 Belgrade Avenue (the \u201cProposed Project\u201d). As set forth in the Small Project Review application, this is a residential development project, located on the edge of Roslindale Square, and providing thirty-one (31) units of needed housing, including four (4) income-restricted units under the BPDA\u2019s Inclusionary Development Policy (\u201cIDP\u201d). <\/span>WalkUP Roslindale generally supports the Proposed Project<\/b>. As a guiding principle, we are in favor of the production of new housing in our neighborhood, city, and region as an integral part of the required response to our surging population and housing affordability crisis resulting from decades of underbuilding and inequitable patterns of development and housing availability. In this letter, we have the following comments and suggestions, which some of our members also voiced in person at the recent community meeting on March 31st. Our comments intend to emphasize the importance of addressing both the future of transportation and the need for more affordable housing in every development project that our city considers.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Transportation and Parking<\/h1>\n

At twenty-two (22) parking spaces, the Proposed Project contains a parking ratio below 1:1, which we applaud. The Proposed Project is well-situated to minimize onsite parking and car use by residents. The location is directly next to the Roslindale Village commuter rail station and along multiple bus routes, a short trip to Forest Hills. Belgrade Avenue has bike lanes making it easily accessible for bicycle commuters. These sustainable transportation features all make this Proposed Project a transit-oriented project that should limit the on-site parking as much as possible. We commend the developer for agreeing to uncouple parking from unit costs, ensuring only those occupants who need parking have to pay for it. We also appreciate the ample onsite bicycle storage that will be part of the project. We continue to encourage the developer to seek ways to further reduce parking on site as much as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Housing Affordability<\/h1>\n

We would like to see the developer increase the number of income-restricted units at the Proposed Project. Currently, the Proposed Project will meet the minimum requirement of four income-restricted units under the City\u2019s IDP mandate (13% of the total units on site). While we are happy to see any income-restricted units come online in a neighborhood in desperate need of them, we strongly encourage the developer and BPDA to work to increase the number provided. We believe cost savings may be available from further reducing the available parking and\/or increasing the overall number of units onsite to make this feasible.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Mitigation Item – Crosswalk at Belgrade Avenue and Robert Street<\/h1>\n

As part of mitigation, and to improve the safety of residents of the Proposed Project and surrounding neighborhood, we propose the developer work with the BPDA and Boston Transportation Department (BTD) to fund and install safety measures at the nearby crosswalk at Belgrade Avenue and Robert Street, located adjacent to the Roslindale Village commuter rail station and directly in front of St. Nectarios Church and the Cooperative Bank. Specifically, we envision flashing rapid beacons to alert motorists to pedestrians seeking to cross at Belgrade Avenue there. Additionally, we envision curb bump outs at each end of the crosswalk to make pedestrians more visible to motorists. That crosswalk has a high level of pedestrian traffic to and from the commuter rail station, Roslindale Square, the church, and other points of interest. Enhancing the safety of that crosswalk for pedestrians would greatly benefit occupants of this building and the overall walkability of the site and Square.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Green Building<\/h1>\n

The Proposed Project is below the Large Project Review threshold and is only technically required to meet building code-based energy efficiency and green building requirements. However, the BPDA should require the Proposed Project to exceed those limited standards and approach Net Zero\/Zero Plus\/LEED Gold-Platinum standards. If our city is truly serious about preparing for and attempting to mitigate the climate crisis, all new buildings need to be far more efficient in their use of energy. The Proposed Project should be a \u201cnet zero\u201d building (energy used equals the amount of energy generated by the building on an annual basis). A BPDA-approved proposed 14-unit residential addition to Roslindale Hardware (at 4407 Washington St – just a mile away from the Proposed Project) is an excellent example of how to use solar and energy efficient techniques and materials to create a structure that is close to or better than net zero.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Commonwealth is decarbonizing the grid rapidly, so investing in electric and renewable infrastructure in the Proposed Project is critical to avoid erecting a building that will emit more CO<\/span>2<\/span> for decades to come. We assert that:<\/span><\/p>\n