BPDA Board approves Transit-Oriented Housing in Jamaica Plain, Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing in Allston-Brighton

Jan 13, 2017

The Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) board of directors approved two development projects. The first representing 250 new residential units, 50 of which are affordable, and are valued at $101 million. When constructed, the projects will create 208 jobs.

The Board also approved the disbursement of up to $3.5 million as part of Harvard University’s Institutional Master Plan to design and construct two bicycle and pedestrian crossings over Soldiers Field Road to improve access to the Charles River parklands for residents and visitors in North Allston-Brighton. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will manage the design and construction of the crossings.

One of the approved projects is a new project, while one is a Notice of Project Change (NPC). Below are summaries of the approvals. The full board agenda and archived video stream can be found here.

New Project

The Residences at Forest Hills to include 20 percent affordable units

The transit-oriented mixed-use commercial and residential development in Jamaica Plain will create 200 market rate residential units, 50 income restricted units, and 4,070 square feet of street front retail and restaurant space, 146 parking spaces and 250 bicycle parking spaces. The project will enhance pedestrian access and bicycle connectivity by improving pathways and providing easy access to the popular bicycle commuting route of Southwest Corridor Park.

With 20 percent of units affordable, the development exceeds the City’s 13 percent Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) requirement. The units will be available to a range of different income levels: eight units will be made affordable to households earning not more than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), 37 units will be made affordable to households earning not more than 70% of AMI, and five units will be made affordable to households earning not more than 100% of AMI.

NPC Project

• 89 Brighton Avenue: the transit oriented housing development in Allston Village will include 129 residential units, 7,500 square feet of new retail space, 79 parking spaces, storage for 138 bicycles and an on-site bicycle repair station.

Director Brian Golden announced at Thursday’s meeting that the public is invited to tour the agency's model room beginning Tuesday, January 17. Tours will be held every Tuesday between 10 a.m. and noon at the Boston Planning & Development Agency on the 9th floor of Boston's City Hall. Tours will be led by BPDA urban design and planning staff and will last approximately 30 minutes. Reservations will be required by signing up at bit.ly/bpda-model. The BPDA will continue to provide tours to students, international delegations, and any other groups who request them outside these times.

In addition, the BPDA is formally launching PLAN: Dorchester, Glover’s Corner, a comprehensive planning effort in partnership with the community, and staffed by a planning team consisting of an interdepartmental working group from across City departments and state transportation agencies. The planning study will explore opportunities around Freeport Street and Dorchester Avenue near the Savin Hill Red Line station, through the three lenses of “preserve, enhance, and grow.” Community discussions will focus on guidelines for future development and open space, as well as strategies to enhance existing businesses and residential communities. The process will kick-off with a Question Campaign, and residents and other stakeholders will be able to submit questions to help planners prepare for the first round of public workshops and meetings. For more information, please visit: www.bostonplans.org/planning/planning-initiatives/plan-dorchester-glovers-corner.