{"id":383,"date":"2015-11-06T17:20:29","date_gmt":"2015-11-06T22:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/?p=383"},"modified":"2015-11-06T19:00:02","modified_gmt":"2015-11-07T00:00:02","slug":"official-walkup-roslindale-comment-letter-20-taft-hill-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/2015\/11\/06\/official-walkup-roslindale-comment-letter-20-taft-hill-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Official WalkUP Roslindale Comment Letter \u2013 20 Taft Hill Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"20<\/a>
20 Taft Hill Rendering<\/figcaption><\/figure>Today, we sent another comment letter<\/a> on a proposed development in Roslindale Square. The project is a 19-unit condominium complex a few yards away from the commuter rail station and the business district. Because we believe this sort of transit-oriented development will contribute to a more walkable and vibrant neighborhood, and particularly in view of some of the developer’s creative pro-WalkUP proposal elements (dedicated bicycle storage, car-share service credits, and support for the Roslindale Arboretum Gateway Path initiative<\/a>), we generally support the project. There is still room for improvement, however, as detailed in our full comment letter below.<\/p>\n

We hope many of you will agree with some if not all of the points made below. Either way, however, we’d love to hear your feedback in the comments.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

BY EMAIL ONLY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

November 6, 2015<\/p>\n

Mr. Edward McGuire, Project Manager
\nBoston Redevelopment Authority
\nOne City Hall Square, 9th Floor
\nBoston, MA 02201
\nEmail: edward.mcguire@boston.gov<\/p>\n

RE: Small Project Review Application for 20 Taft Hill Park, Roslindale \u2013 Filed October 7, 2015<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. McGuire:<\/p>\n

I write on behalf of WalkUP Roslindale to comment on the referenced small project review application (the \u201cApplication\u201d).<\/p>\n

WalkUP Roslindale, which takes its name from the international movement to foster \u201cWalkable Urban Places,\u201d is a collaborative group of residents informally founded in June of this year to make Roslindale the most walkable neighborhood in Boston. We advocate for a dynamic, livable neighborhood and streetscape. And, we support positive changes to our public and private built environment that strengthen walkability as a means toward better public health, safety, social capital, economic development and environmental sustainability. In our first four months we have already built up a core group of about 30 people and almost 300 additional supporters. More information about WalkUP Roslindale and our initiatives can be found at www.walkuproslindale.org<\/a>. We recognize that no single group of people can be said to speak for our entire neighborhood \u2013 instead, please take these comments as representing the collective, specific viewpoint of our steering group members (indicated below) and offering what we see as the analysis that results from our mission and principles statements<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The project set forth in the Application is a 19-unit residential condominium in two buildings (a 4-story 13-unit building, and a 3-story 6-unit building) with 19 accessory parking spaces on the ground level (13 structured and 6 outside) with vehicular and pedestrian access from Taft Hill Park (the \u201cProposed Project<\/strong>\u201d). The Application describes the Proposed Project as requiring several variances from the use, parking, and dimensional standards applicable to the 2F-5000 residential subdistrict zoning under the Roslindale Neighborhood District of the Boston Zoning Code (the \u201cCode<\/strong>\u201d). The city\u2019s Inclusionary Development Policy (\u201cIDP<\/strong>\u201d) applies, and the developer has proposed the minimum number of affordable units under the policy (3 units).<\/p>\n

WalkUP Roslindale supports the Proposed Project and urges the BRA to approve the Application pursuant to Article 80E of the Code along with the conditions specified in this letter. We do so especially in light of the increase in population that is currently underway throughout Boston, including Roslindale, and is forecast to continue through 2030 and beyond. The need for new housing units in our city is acute: the lack of new housing at all price levels has driven up rents and made homeownership in the city increasingly unattainable for the middle class, which results in decreased socioeconomic diversity, longer and more difficult commutes (with a commensurate increase in traffic, pollution, and casualties from crashes), and a drag on the economy as employers struggle to find workers. While we appreciate that accommodating new neighbors in existing neighborhoods such as ours can be challenging and should be approached thoughtfully, WalkUP Roslindale advocates for welcoming newcomers and the vitality they bring to our neighborhood.<\/p>\n

WalkUP Roslindale\u2019s support for the Proposed Project comes with the following comments and suggestions for improving the Proposed Project and our neighborhood:<\/p>\n