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Washington Street Vision Plan, Part 2

Leave your comments by Dec 2, 2018

Continue reading here. This section includes: Scenarios that help visualize which zoning tools are preferred.
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quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:57AM on page 5

Suggestion
Include some arched windows on the first floor of the buildings. Not necessary, but where possible, it would be nice to have some greenery (evergreen plantings in planters? The large plant pots the are installed along Watertown Street in the warmer months are great!.)
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quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:42AM on page 5

Evergreen trees, I hope!
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quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:40AM on page 7

Let's add some arched windows, doors, etc. at ground level.
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quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:38AM on page 7

I like that the tallest building has the top two stories set back.
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quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:35AM on page 6

I agree with the comment about stucco. It doesn't do well in New England; it gets mildewy so needs constant upkeep. I vote for red brick. The plan looks like it could work well in specific areas - perhaps in spaces are a transition between existing homes and the taller buildings we will need to have along Washington Street in order to meet our goal of ensuring that Newton has housing that is affordable.
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in reply to Lori Green's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 3 2018 at 12:32AM on page 8

It is more affordable than you think. See here: link 80% AMI is $45,500 for someone living alone, $58,500 for a 3 person family, or $70,200 for a 5 person family, for example.
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in reply to Auburndalian's comment

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:24AM on page 6

Suggestion
Just two feet of evergreen plantings (stays green through the winter) between the building and the sidewalk would work. Love, love, love the arched doorways and windows at ground level. The arches break-up the vertical-horizontal lines of the building, they give the building a neighborhood feel, and they add a certain elegance. Also, at the very least, one side of the street (the south side, which is where the sun spends most of its time) needs some type of trees. Ditto to Bryan's comment about bike lanes.
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in reply to Beth Smith's comment

quar-ti.er Dec 3 2018 at 12:08AM on page 5

Ditto to Beth's comment. This option seems like the best one. Positives: The trees on the side closest to the tracks (perhaps evergreens so the sound barrier would be there year round!), the small shops between the I-hope-it's-evergreens and Washington Street, and the variety in the height of the buildings. There's some on-street parking, and there are sidewalks for pedestrians. I'm guessing that the strip between the parked cars and the sidewalk in front of the major buildings is a bike lane. Just needs bike rakes, a couple of benches ... and people!
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in reply to suebottino's comment

Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:51PM on page 18

Seriously! Is this Newton or Boston?!
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in reply to TamaraBliss's comment

Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:46PM on page 15

Would they actually be affordable?
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Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:41PM on page 12

NO!
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in reply to Bryan Barash's comment

Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:35PM on page 8

I tried to read through some of this (a difficult read). 80% of the average median income in Newton doesn't sound affordable to me.
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aconant Dec 2 2018 at 11:31PM on page 7

Suggestion
Apparently, the Maine community which was presented as a successful example of the Principle Group's planning process was rejected by the community. The residents of Newton must have the opportunity to accept or reject this proposal as well.
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aconant Dec 2 2018 at 11:28PM on page 5

Suggestion
The questions presented by the Principle Group are limited and predicated on choosing between two or more high density/high building height options. The public process was flawed from the beginning and continues to be. You are not really soliciting the community's input, because you have already presented the possible options.
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aconant Dec 2 2018 at 11:25PM on page 3

Suggestion
This is way too dense. The building height is too high, the building is too massive, there are too many units. This will dwarf the village, add too many residents, and too much traffic. The community never asked for this type of development.
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Bob Kavanagh Dec 2 2018 at 11:25PM on page 18

This drawing induces claustrophobia. For all its faults, current Washington Street is more open
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Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:25PM on page 7

How is this incremental? Doesn't look that different from the market driven.
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John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:24PM on page 21

Wow thats a lot of parking...
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John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:21PM on page 15

This is the better of the 3 but something still seems off, I want to see some more focus here. new road connections are good but some of the building sizing seems too much still even if it is focused on the center of the site...
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in reply to Jane Hanser's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:20PM on page 15

ground floor Jane, ground floor ;) I guarantee you they will still be in whatever happens with this site!
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in reply to Tarik Lucas's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:19PM on page 15

Yep, there is a paper-road/easement that already exists, these options would extend the road from where it currently stops. there is also and easement to Crafts off of Witon Road too
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Pizd@Newton Dec 2 2018 at 11:18PM on page 13

Question
Who is getting paid off to do this? Ten stories is going to look out of place and terrible How will these road handle the traffic and parking? Fricking nightmare you are creating.
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in reply to Leewarren1@gmail.com's comment

Lori Green Dec 2 2018 at 11:17PM on page 3

Well said!
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John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:15PM on page 7

Its ok...but yeah H won't fly with anybody, though I wouldn't be too much against it if it meant really meaningful improvements to rail, bus and streetscape... much prefer the second option
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Pizd@Newton Dec 2 2018 at 11:15PM on page 11

Question
Reducing Washington street is an insanely stupid plan. Who is getting paid off on this? Where is the consideration for safety? How is the increased volume of traffic going to move through there ?
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John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:14PM on page 5

I really much prefer this option, and honestly I think its pretty good! It would really help a lot and make the block to Cabots so much nicer!
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in reply to ctanowitz's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:13PM on page 2

HATE crossing here.
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in reply to Tarik Lucas's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:12PM on page 5

Do we really need a park? Lowell park gets little use as it is...add more greenery for sure but if you want a new park area make it down by the Whole Foods!
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in reply to John Pelletier's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:11PM on page 5

John & Bob - You are both thoughtful people, you might actually enjoy having a conversation sometime!
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in reply to Pam's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:11PM on page 5

I think this is a reasonable transition, I get a tall brick wall now when I look onto Court, having houses on the south side would be great! (4 story building directly on court might be a bit much but I am honestly ok with the Court street 40b so maybe that's me...)
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in reply to j-piha's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:09PM on page 5

I agree with this as a pretty good option! And Bob I live in the 3rd house down on Central, is that close enough for you? I like the mix, I like the new street/alley option (make it a shared street maybe emergency only or closed during the day/weekends!
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in reply to Loisalevin's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:09PM on page 5

Well said Lois. And happy birthday!
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in reply to AB2's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:08PM on page 6

and make sure there's room for bike lanes!
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Pizd@Newton Dec 2 2018 at 11:08PM on page 1

Question
Why do we need more shops here? Why is the car dealer under utilized and who determined that? Who is getting paid off here?
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in reply to AB2's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:07PM on page 7

I like where you're going, but these decisions are always a tradeoff and if we want improvements, projects have to be economically viable. At what point are we willing to trade benefits (environmental impact, transportation, affordable housing, etc.) for increased height and density? That is the ultimate question.
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in reply to Gailelle's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:05PM on page 8

It is in fact affordable housing. There are income restrictions for the affordable units. And we're likely going to update them soon to make sure we have even more affordability. Read more here: link
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in reply to Jane Hanser's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:04PM on page 2

Jane, I see students riding this sidewalk frequently, it is not just on a given morning at all! I see them on the even worse section by the old Clay Nissan dealer as they go to the Y! They feel safer on this side as there are fewer cross streets but they are on the commercial side too for sure
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in reply to AB2's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:02PM on page 9

The reality is that over time, land value will move these properties to ones with a higher grade and underground parking. The question is, will we decide what we'll accept or will we wait to see what is proposed without our input?
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in reply to Elena Wright's comment

John Pelletier Dec 2 2018 at 11:02PM on page 1

Thanks for the note but as somebody who lives a 3 minute walk off Washington I do respectfully disagree! I live on Central and Washington St needs a lot of help and has a lot of potential. But I think that having large scale Washington Place style development is too much as is copying what happened to Newton Corner. I think some of the initial options offered here do mirror what folks have said but unless eveybody along Washington refuses to sell we need to manage the very high potential of new development. We also are still at the mercy of 40b potentially creating developments that have little to no commercial in them.
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in reply to AB2's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 11:00PM on page 12

Agree that we need to be less focused on absolute height and make sure it is appealing and at a human scale.
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Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 10:57PM on page 14

I am in favor of this idea.
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in reply to DougL's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 10:57PM on page 13

Doug is exactly right. Local streets should be local, they should be slower moving and fit for biking and walking. If you're coming from Wellesley and beyond, take the commuter rail or the highway.
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Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 10:57PM on page 14

Yes.
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Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 10:57PM on page 14

I am okay with more height. My preference is for the "courtyard option" in terms of style.
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Linda Fritz Dec 2 2018 at 10:55PM on page 13

Let's not make Washington Street narrower and more congested in the hopes of making people walk and bike more. Folks who are not walking now or riding bikes now won't convert into walkers and bikers. Don't make Washington Street narrower, please.
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in reply to jfitz0807's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 10:55PM on page 14

I doubt 10 stories is necessary to accomplish our goals, but I'm willing to hear out any proposal and weigh the benefits.
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in reply to steenstrup's comment

Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 10:54PM on page 1

I disagree as well. The Principle group has done such a thorough job and I like this vision a lot.
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in reply to Newtonresident's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 10:53PM on page 14

It should be done in tandem.
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in reply to sarlenshep's comment

Bryan Barash Dec 2 2018 at 10:52PM on page 16

That depends where those other places are. Extremely helpful from Worcester or Framingham.
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Hattie Gawande Dec 2 2018 at 10:52PM on page 6

Higher buildings. But I like the way the pictures above make the retail/residential space seem less imposing than in the "market driven" scenario.
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