Roslindale Square - Squares + Streets

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Zoning Updates for Roslindale Square
Submit Your Comments
Roslindale Square Small Area Plan
Upcoming Events

The Roslindale Square Small Area Plan (Roslindale Square Plan para Áreas Pequeñas) was adopted by the BPDA Board on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The plan sets a framework for targeted housing and small business policies to support a thriving neighborhood center, opportunities to incorporate more public art and cultural activities, and strategies to expand the public realm and improve transportation safety. It also guides future development in the central business area and major connecting streets through a Land Use and Design Framework.

On February 14, 2025, the Planning Department released a draft of zoning updates for the Roslindale Square area. These zoning updates are part of the implementation of recommendations in the Roslindale Square Small Area Plan, specifically from the Land Use and Design Framework.

Check out the “Zoning Updates for Roslindale Square” section to review these updates, the “Learn More and Share Feedback” section to find ways to share your comments on the updates, and the “Upcoming Events” section for future public meetings and office hours to speak with Planning Department staff about this work.

Zoning Updates for Roslindale Square

These zoning updates (below) will map new Squares + Streets zoning districts in and around Roslindale Square, which will set new rules for the physical dimensions (such as height and lot coverage) and land uses allowed in future development. When adopted, these updates will:

Further allow multifamily housing near and above active ground floor businesses and community spaces,
Require the creation of outdoor amenities in zoning districts that allow for larger development projects (like decks, outdoor seating, and courtyards), and
Set yard standards that promote climate resilience in the space surrounding buildings.

These updates align with the City of Boston’s efforts to set zoning rules that will legalize many of the properties that already exist today and that increase opportunities for future housing and business growth near the major transit resources of Roslindale Square.

Resources

Draft Zoning Map Amendments – these are the drafts of the official zoning map updates proposed for adoption.
- Map 10A
- Map 10B
Draft Zoning Text Amendment to Article 67 (Roslindale Neighborhood District) – this is the draft of the official zoning text updates to the Boston Zoning Code that support the implementation of the zoning map.
Zoning Updates Guide (English) – a visual guide to explain the proposed zoning updates.
Zoning Updates Guide (Español) – a visual guide to explain the proposed zoning updates. ~ Coming soon

How Do Zoning Updates Get Adopted?

The Planning Department updates zoning rules in the Boston Zoning Code by taking the following steps:

Create draft zoning updates, either as maps to change the location of zoning rules or as text to change the specific details of those rules.
Engage with local stakeholders who may be impacted by those updates, including holding public meetings.
Present those draft zoning updates to the BPDA Board, which votes on whether or not staff can petition the Boston Zoning Commission to adopt the new zoning.
Present the draft zoning updates to the Boston Zoning Commission who vote on whether or not to make changes to the Boston Zoning Code.

Learn More and Share Feedback

Submit Your Comments

The Roslindale Square team wants to hear your thoughts on the proposed zoning updates to the area! To provide your feedback on updates, you can:

Submit a public comment through this brief comment form which will be open from February 14 through March 31, or
send your comments via email to [email protected].

Note on Public Comments: Our staff encourage local stakeholders to submit formal comments because these comments are shared with the BPDA Board, Boston Zoning Commission, and the general public to provide transparency on community interests. Our staff will also take note of questions and feedback shared verbally by attendees of office hours, meetings, and community presentations, but strongly recommend you submit a formal comment during this process to confirm that all of your thoughts are appropriately shared in your own words.

Invite Us to a Local Meeting

If you are part of a community organization, tenant group, neighborhood association, merchants group, or any other local stakeholder group that would like a more detailed explanation of these zoning updates, please email Abdul-Razak Zachariah at [email protected] to request and coordinate a time for a virtual or in-person presentation to your group.

Attend an Office Hours Session

Planning staff will be hosting both virtual office hours on Zoom and in-person office hours at the Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library at 4246 Washington Street throughout the public comment period for the zoning updates. Both virtual and in-person office hours will require advance registration for a 20-minute time slot.

Sign Up for Virtual Office Hours (Tuesday Evenings on Zoom):

bosplans.org/RoslindaleVirtualOfficeHours

Sign Up for In-Person Office Hours (Thursday Afternoons in Roslindale):

bosplans.org/RoslindaleInPersonOfficeHours

Roslindale Square Small Area Plan

Roslindale Square Small Area Plan is one of the first plans of the Squares + Streets planning initiative. To learn more about Squares + Streets, please see the project homepage.

The Roslindale Square Small Area Plan (Roslindale Square Plan para Áreas Pequeñas) was adopted by the BPDA Board on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The plan sets a vision for public investment and growth for the central business area, major nearby streets, and local transit resources.

Materials from the Plan process can be found below under “Planning Process Resources”.

About Roslindale Square

Roslindale Square is a historic commercial area approximately 6 miles south of Downtown Boston in the heart of the Roslindale neighborhood. It retains many historic buildings and has a diverse mix of local restaurants, shops, and civic spaces, such as the Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library and the Roslindale Substation. Adams Park, a .7-acre public park in the center of Roslindale Square, is an important anchor of community events, including the annual Roslindale Farmers Market.

This area is serviced by the Roslindale Village station as part of the MBTA Commuter Rail, as well as several MBTA bus routes.

Planning Process Resources

Upcoming Events

Over the course of February and March, staff will hold several public meetings, virtual and in-person office hours, and be available to present to community groups about the proposed zoning updates to Roslindale Square. Check out the "Stay Connected" section for engagement notifications and our calendar or below to check out upcoming Roslindale Squares + Streets engagement events.

Click on the event date to register for an event and view any provided materials.