HomeMy Public PortalAbout4_Comments_2016_0609Submitted via email to Mr. Sfeye Magoon, Planning Director
June 7, 2016
Watertown Planning Board
Town Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Subject: Athena Arsenal, LLC AODD Gampus Special Permit with Conceptualsite Plan
Review
Dear Chairman Hawes and Planning Board Members:
I own and reside at4758 ArsenalStreet, which is located in the Arsenal Park Residential
Condominiums that directly abut Talcott Avenue and the Athena Arsenal campus for which
Athena Arsenal, LLC requests an AODD Campus Special Permit with Conceptual Site Plan
Review. I am a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Massachusetts, but I am submitting this
letter for the Planning Board's consideration as a private citizen.
I have reviewed the application submitted by Athena Arsenal, LLC and offer the following
comments for the Planning Board's consideration. Due to work travel, it is unlikely I will be able to
attend the June 8 hearing to present my comments. Therefore, I request that these comments be
reviewed by the Board and entered into the record.
The proposed realignment of Kingsbury Ave moves the road very close to the entrance
for Building 37 and could create pedestrian-vehicle conflicts similar to those that exist
now on south side of Building 311, which Athena Arsenal stated it was concerned with
during the community meetings. Why create a similar situation at Building 37?
Kingsbury Ave should be shifted south to provide more space between Building 37
entrance and the road.
There appears to be no legend on Drawings L-2.0 through L-2.3, which makes it difficult
to understand the meaning of the various hatch patterns.
It appears the perimeter around the lawn in front of the Arsenal Center for the Arts,
which is now largely gravelwith multiple trees is being replaced with a wide concrete
sidewalk and plantings that are only located along the Arsenal Street side of the lawn. A
large number of trees (44 by my count) will be removed as part of this plan and replaced
with five trees (see Drawing L-7.2). This seems quite contrary to what Athena Arsenal
stated they wanted to do by adding green space and trees to the campus. This lawn
area and shaded gravel walkways area is one of the great open spaces in Watertown
and should not be replaced with a wide concrete perimeter.
Athena Arsenal is apparently proposing to shift the dining patio for La Casa de Pedro to
the north side of Building 43 (see Drawing L-2.2) from its present location on the west
side. This location is quite uninviting and noisy due to Arsenal Street traffic and will
reduce the vibrant nature of the lawn area during the summer months. ln addition, the
shift could negatively impact the business of this local restaurateur who has been a part
of the Watertown community for many years.
The concept of covered open space connecting Buildings 313 and 37 is an interesting
idea, provided it can be done without damaging the historic integrity of these buildings
and without creating glare on adjacent properties. I request the Athena Arsenal be
required to present a glare study that demonstrates that the glass panels will not create
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Ao D D ca m p u s s pecia I pe rm it with ""T$ffll[ riT ['lt-3il,i
June 7, 2016
glare issues for the residences (condos and elderly apartments) located on the east
side of Talcott Avenue in its phased site plan approval application(s).
The covered open space between the east side of Building 312 and the west sides of
Buildings 313 and 37 is concerning. Covering this area closes off an open vista from the
north side of the property to the south, appears to negatively impact the Arsenal Center
of the Arts loading area, and limits access by fire apparatus. Has the Fire Department
been consulted about the reduced exterior access to portions of Building 317 and 37
from the covered open space? Covering of this stretch should be strongly reconsidered.
An open pathway or shared street would be a much better option and would maintain a
valuable pedestrian/vehicular/emergency access connection between the north and
south ends of the campus.
The slope of the shared street between Kingsbury Street and the Arsenal Center for the
Arts appears to between 4 and 5 percent, which is quite steep. How will accessible
access be provided between Kingsbury Street and the ACOTA?
The alignment of the shared street between Kingsbury Street and Wooley Avenue
intersects the southwest corner of Building 43 and includes what appears to be a very
awkward jog to connect to Wooley Avenue. lt appears more emphasis has been placed
on accommodating planters around the Arsenal Center for the Arts entrance than on
aligning the shared street with Wooley Avenue.
The location of the west garage is presently a surface parking lot. Where will the
vehicles that presently park in that lot be accommodated during the construction of the
west garage?
Construction and maintenance contractors working at the Athena Arsenal campus have
a history of repeated violations of the Watertown Noise Control Ordinance by starting
work before 7:00 AM on weekdays and before 8:00 AM on weekends. The police have
been called by myself and several others on multiple occasions where loud operations
started as early as 6:00 AM on a Saturday. With the large amount of construction that
willtake place as the Master Plan is implemented, compliance with this ordinance
should be specifically included as conditions of the Master Plan approval and
subsequent approval documents to reinforce its importance.
I have had professionalexperience where project permits include provisions requiring
contractor adherence to allowable construction times and requiring project proponents
to make conformance with local regulations and permits part of contracts issued for the
project. From permits that have been issued on some of my development projects, I
offer the following examples of permit conditions for the Board's consideration for
inclusion in any approval that Athena Arsenal or other Master Plan applicants are
issued.
. Ihls approvaland the Watertown Noise Control Ordinance shall be annexed to
and included in all construction and maintenance contracts and subcontracts for
exterior work at the property.
o Athena Arsenal and its successors orassrgns shallfurnish each of its
construction and maintenance contractors (except those solely performing work
inside the walls of buildings that are substantially complete) with a copy of this
approval and the Watertown Noise Control Ordinance, and shallobtain the
contractor's wriften acknowledgement that it has read, understands, and will
comply with both documents. A copy of all construction contractor's
cerlifications shall be provided to the Planning Board prior to the
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Ao D D cam pus s pecia I perm it with
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June 7,2016
commencement of work, and copies of all maintenance contractor's
certifications must be maintained on site..
o Hours of site construction shall be limited to 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Monday
through Friday and 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
o Deliveries related to construction shalltake place between 7:00 AM and 6:00
PM, except that, to the extent required to accommodate oversized deliveries
pursuant to a Town of Wateftown permit. This condition is not intended to
prohibit nighttime deliveries reasonably necessary to facilitate comptiance with
restrictions on daytime construction on or along roadways or public access
areas or to require fhe cessafib n of construction activities that require a
continuous work effort once stafted.
1 1. Other permit conditions that I have experienced that would make sense for Master Plan
approval documents are provided below for the Board's consideration.
o The Applicant shall instruct its contractors to park in designated areas that do
not interfere with normal traffic, cause any safety hazard, or inteffere with
existing land uses.
o The Applicant or its appropriate contractor shall periodically consult with the
Planning Department regarding traffic conditions near the project site, and shatt
make good faith efforts to minimize the impact of construction on traffic
circulation in the area.
o The Applicant shall make available to the public a toll free or tocal phone
number of an agent or employee where complaints may be received during the
construction of the approved facilities. ln addition, the phone number of the
Watertown Planning Depaftment shall also be provided in the event there are
questions or concerns. A log shall be maintained that lists at least the date of
any complaint, identity and contact information for the complaining party, the
date of the Applicant's response, and a description of the outcome. Phone togs
shall be made available to Planning Depaftment upon its request. During _
compliance inspections, the Applicant shall report to _ every complaint that
is then unresolved.
12. Due to the proximity of residences to the northbound side of Talcott Avenue
(approximately 30 feet or less), I suggest that construction vehicles should be prevented
from parking or idling on this side of Talcott Avenue unless they are actively involved in
construction on Talcoft Avenue to eliminate noise or air quality impacts to these
residences.
I thank the members of the Planning Board in advance for their consideration of my comments
about the application for an AODD Campus Special Permit with Conceptual Site Plan Review.
Respectfully submitted,/r*
Payson R. Whitney, lll, P.E.
4758 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Page 3
Arsenal Center for the Arts Comments
Received 6/8/2016 The Arsenal on the Charles master plan is imaginative, environmentally sensitive and offers some wonderful opportunities for the campus. 1) We support the general concept of connecting the campus to the river with a sight and pedestrian connection from Arsenal Street green through to the river. 2) The glass cover adjacent to the ACA entrance offers expanded programming opportunities for outdoor and inclement weather flexibility. 3) We support the maintenance of the Arsenal Street green as the public face of the campus, which welcomes the community to the site and the Arts Center. 4) The goal of enlivening the site, with a mix of commercial, non-profit, public, and retail use is excellent. 5) Restricting vehicular traffic in front of the ACA to safety vehicles creates a safe environment for the many children who utilize the front of the building and green during fair weather. 6) The proposed plan gives the ACA adequate access to its storage space. 7) In our current lease with Athena, the ACA is guaranteed 4 reserved spaces and guaranteed that at least 200 spaces will not be assigned to others. 8) Though we support encouraging non-car transportation to and around the site, many of our patrons are parents with children or older adults, who will be driving their cars. a. Access to substantial number of handicap parking spaces is critical. Our current theatre audience of older adults (60-90) requires many close spaces. b. Since we run many programs for children, accommodating the rush of parking (up to 15 minutes) that allows for quick and safe drop off is critical. Our prime drop-off time is 8-9am; 12-1pm; and 4-6pm. The current plan for short-term diagonal parking along Kingsbury Ave. and the possibility of stacking cars along Kingsbury for a few minutes during those times works well for the ACA. c. Short-term daytime parking (2hours) in close proximity to the ACA is critical to the ACA’s daytime programs. With the current retail and expanded retail usage, 100 spots during the day are needed - either garage or adjacent surface would work. d. Surface parking for regular loading and maintenance vehicles appears to be limited and not adequate. e. Load-in with a 24 foot box truck and use of a 30 yard dumpster at the close of productions are necessary to run our theatre and are currently done through the loading door on the east side of building 312. (The door is on the middle of the east side.) We will continue to need regular vehicular and truck access to that door to load-in and out and access a dumpster. (Access doors for dumpster delivery need to be 15 feet high and 10 feet wide) 9) The option for studio and/or maker space around the site is a long-term goal and should be accommodated in the plan. A second floor to the retail building along Kingsbury Avenue would be one possibility, even though funding is not currently secured.
Adams, Andrea
From: Barbara Ruskin <ruskinb00@icloud.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 7:50 AM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid
Subject: Patio on the common at AthenaHealth
To the Planning Board,
I am out of town, but would like you to know that we agree, the patio on the
common by Casa de Pedro is definitely worth preserving in its current location. That it
serves a private business is almost beside the point because it provides easy access
with not much of an expenditure required for anyone to enjoy the space during the day
and evening.
Planning to move the space to the heavily trafficked area by Arsenal Street is
counterproductive. A patio at the end of a shared street will be even more lovely. We
need more, not fewer, wonderful such spaces in Watertown and hope such spaces will
be valued here.
Sincerely,
Barbara and Jeremy Ruskin
140 Spring Street
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Adams, Andrea
From: Magoon, Steven
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 3:51 PM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid
Cc: Schreiber, Gideon; Adams, Andrea
Subject: FW: about Athena
Please provide to the Planning Board. Thanks
From: Sarah and John Ryan [mailto:jsnmryan@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 10:12 PM
To: Magoon, Steven <smagoon@watertown-ma.gov>; Schreiber, Gideon <gschreiber@watertown-ma.gov>
Cc: Sideris, Mark <msideris@watertown-ma.gov>; Lisa Feltner <Ifeltner@comcast.net>; AaronDushku
<aarondushku@gmail.com>; Palomba Anthony <councilorpalomba@gmail.com>; Lisa Feltner, Councillor
<councillorfeltner@gmail.com>; Kounelis, Angeline <akounelis@watertown-ma.gov>; VincentPiccirilli
<vincent.piccirilli@gmail.com>; Falkoff, Susan <sfalkoff@watertown-ma.gov>
Subject: about Athena
Dear Planning Board,
I have many concerns about Athena's Master Plan proposal, but unfortunately, I have another commitment on
Wednesday night, so I will not be able to attend the Planning Board meeting.
I share many of my neighbor's concerns that the proposal to move the patio from the front of Casa de Pedro is
seriously ill advised. This is one of those rare treasures that is enjoyed by many of Watertown's citizens as
well as the employees of Athena. Leave well enough alone, this great spot should not be ruined.
I have far greater concerns about the potential traffic and parking issues.
Athena's presentation and traffic analysis was helpful and informative, but not entirely convincing. We all
realize that with added buildings and more staff, there will be far more traffic and far more cars to be put
somewhere.
• The idea of electronic control for traffic signaling is appealing, but this has been offered before and we
all know of numerous gridlocked regions around town, especially in areas near the Athena
property, which are made worse by bad traffic signaling. There is not enough confirmation and
assurance of how these new traffic systems would be implemented, maintained, monitored and
managed. It's fine to build a new electronic system, but we all know that this is not enough, someone
has to make sure that it is working all of the time once it is in place.
• Charles River Road is now a parkway, narrowed from four to two lanes by recent Town Council
administrations. If traffic is not managed appropriately, this street will become a noisy, busy highway
and pedestrians will not be able to access the river. In the last few years, since Athena has moved in, it
has become increasingly difficult to get across the street, all this before Athena even starts to expand
the campus. It will get worse unless someone protects this parkway.
• The town and Athena representatives have stated that they do not anticipate increased traffic in small
residential streets near the Athen property, but no one has stated specifically how this will be done. We
do not need to have our streets turned to one way, but it is the town and Athena's responsibility not to
impact our neighborhood negatively with traffic cutting through to get to and from the Athena campus.
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• Off campus employee parking continues to be a problem, with Athena employee cars still clogging the
already busy streets of Watertown. Other companies have figured out how to manage this issue, Athena
needs to figure this out as well. The company could state as a policy that employees should not park off
campus. Employee cars can be identified with stickers and Athena can manage enforcing that no
employees park off campus. There are many ways to solve this issue and Athena needs to address this
issue before any new construction is started.
• Athena has stated that they want to encourage greener, non -car commuting by employees, but relative to
some neighboring companies in Cambridge, the incentives are fairly weak and unimpressive. In
addition to offering direct deposit of paychecks and microwaves for food preparation, Athena might
consider some of the following:
o employee subsidy for MBTA use
o preferential parking for carpools
o vanpool incentive, preferential parking and contact information
o company AND town shuttle (two redundant shuttles covering the same territory will add to
traffic, but if Athena joins Watertown's efforts for shuttle service, everyone can benefit!)
o rewards for a green commute - employee incentives, competitions, challenges. Connect to
online services such as NuRide, which offers incentive points for non -car travel that can be
redeemed at local businesses.
I wish I could attend tomorrow night's meeting, but wanted to state my concerns in advance.
thank you all for your consideration,
Sarah Ryan
43 Paul St.
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Adams, Andrea
From: Sharon Cassidy <sharonmcassidy@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 3:32 PM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid
Cc: Sharon Cassidy
Subject: Planning Board meeting re: Athena Health AODD Special Permit - feedback
Development: Public Meeting - Planning Board Meeting re: Athena Health AODD Special Permit,
Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Town Council Chamber, Town Hall
Hello,
I will not be able to attend the Wed. evening meeting to offer input but I want to add my input since I feel very
strongly about the Town not authorizing Athena Health's request.
I live on Parker St. in Watertown and often walk past the Arsenal Project along Arsenal St. Walking along
Arsenal St. is not exactly wonderful since there's lots of traffic, debrie and bicycles on the sidewalk, but I try to
make the best of it. Currently, there's at least some open space and trees along the street, but looking at Athena
Health's plans, some of that will be gone. Instead we could have buildings right up to the sidewalk, similar to
what we have now along side the HomeDepot building. :-( People zooming along in cars probably don't care,
but those of us who are on foot, have a narrow unpleasant walkway to deal with. In the winter it's especially
bad. The sidewalks are not cleared completely and are inevitably slippery and can be dangerous. This is a big
issue for some people so they just stop walking in the winter when there is snow.
I do not see a compelling reason why Athena Health must build out to line up with the existing structures.
Is this in the best interests of the citizens of Watertown who walk and cycle? I hope that the planning board
would agree that making pedestrian and cycle access to the new services planned in the Arsenal would make
more sense than maxing out the available building space. Don't we want to encourage more people to leave
their cars at home? Traffic is very dense now... let's not make it even less pleasant to walk/cycle. Please!
Thanks for listening.
Sharon Cassidy,
Parker St. Watertown
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Adams, Andrea
From: Elodia Thomas <elodia.h2otown@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 8:29 AM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid; Schreiber, Gideon; Magoon, Steven; Adams, Andrea
Subject: Planning Board Meeting: Athena Health
Ingrid, could you please forward this letter to the Planning Board members as I do have their email
addresses. Thank you.
Dear Planning Board Members,
This letter has been circulated throughout the community. Please consider my comments/concerns and those of
other citizens as you deliberate on the AODD Special Permit Request. Thank you.
What's happening?: Athena Health #311 Arsenal Street — Arsenal on the Charles; Michael Crowley, Athena
Health - Special Permit Request
§5.12: Campus Special Permit with Conceptual Site Plan Review and with §5.12(e)(4) so as to reduce the front
setback along a portion of Arsenal Street to maintain a consistent building line with Building 311, all in
accordance with §9.05(b) and 9.03(c) — located in AODD (Arsenal Street Overlay District) Zoning District. PB-
2016-01
Athena Arsenal, LLC, requests an AODD Campus Special Permit with Conceptual Site Plan Review so as to
revitalize and redevelop the 29 +/- acre Athena Campus property to include new uses and buildings, additional
structured parking, enhanced landscaping and an updated storm water management program. The new
buildings, when completed, will total approximately 250,000 square feet of office, retail and commercial/civic
space, as well as site improvements, and a new parking garage with approximately 1,623 parking spaces. In
addition, Athena Arsenal, LLC, has developed The Arsenal on the Charles Campus Plan Design Guidelines that
establish a palette of building materials and architectural and landscaping elements that will guide the
development of the campus revitalization.
My Comments/Concerns:
This Planning Board meeting is critically important. The Planning Board can require more info/modifications
re: Athena's application. For further project information go to: http://www.watertown-
ma.gov/DocumentCent
(1.) Please support La Casa de Pedro! If you examine the plans you'll see that Athena intends to move Pedro's
wonderful patio to the north -side of the building i.e., on Arsenal Street near the transformers. Nothing like
heavy shade, traffic and exhaust on a beautiful afternoon to go along with your coconut margarita, food, and
conversation. NOT! And this idea comes from a company that considers itself to be cutting edge in health
billing.
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(2.) Given all the traffic issues in Watertown, for a year+ concerned citizens have been asking Athena for info
on where their 1900+/- employees travel from (which communities) and how their employees get to work be it
by car, public transportation, shuttle, kayak, bicycle, etc. To date we have been stonewalled i.e., we have
received no answers to our questions. It has also been noted that Athena seems to be backpedaling on their
former public commitment to be part of Watertown's TMA (Transportation Management Association) which is
presently under development. They continue to avoid answering questions about current employee parking
issues in the neighborhoods and the storage issues of their equipment on public property.
I have not even touched on the months of deliberations and shenanigans that went on about the size and design
of the west garage and a pocket park.
(3.) Safety concerns have been raised about a "shared street" for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles across the front
of the Arsenal Center for the Arts given kid activities, handicapped access, and senior access. Again, they
simply say it will work. And where will the HP parking spaces now be located?
While much of the campus will be greatly improved and quite attractive, the community meetings have been
less than satisfactory. As engaged residents, who have attended numerous meetings, we deserve serious
consideration and answers to our questions and we expect Athena to live up to their publicly stated
commitments. Please realize that to receive all their millions of $$$ in MA state tax credits (I believe $9.5
million to date with another potential $25 million in I -Cubed money) they will need to hire approximately
1900+ more employees. So --- does that double the traffic on Arsenal Street? They say no. What do you think?
The Planning Board needs to hear your questions and concerns on Wednesday. Unfortunately I not able to
attend due to a longstanding prior commitment.
Best, Elodia
Watertown, MA - Official Website
The Document Center is for storage of documents of many different file types. Documents stored in the
Document Center can be separated by folders and subfolders.
WATERTOWN-MA.GOV"
Elodia Thomas
67 Marion Road
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 926-3952
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Adams, Andrea
From: Libby Shaw <elshaw@MIT.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 7:49 AM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid
Cc: Sideris, Mark; Lisa Feltner; AaronDushku; Palomba Anthony; Lisa Feltner, Councillor; Kounelis,
Angeline; VincentPiccirilli; Falkoff, Susan
Subject: La Casa de Pedro patio - please preserve
Hi, Ingrid:
Could you kindly distribute this to the members of the Planning Board and Dept. for the
June 8 meeting?
Thank you,
Libby Shaw
Dear members of the Watertown Planning Board:
The developers of the Athena Health property on Arsenal Street propose to eliminate
the patio in front of the west entrance to La Casa de Pedro Restaurant. This very
popular patio fronts a broad vista of sunlit green lawn with a fountain, the Arsenal
Center for the Arts, and shade trees on the opposite side .
The developers' plan proposes removing this patio and installing a new patio on the
north side of the building, next to heavily trafficked Arsenal Street. What a loss that
would be for Watertown!
The patio in its current location provides exceptional beauty, comfort and utility , IMO
the best outside restaurant seating in the whole of Watertown.
•
There's a delightful view over the wide green lawn from every patio table.
• Tree canopy provides beautiful living shade, and along with the building itself,
screens the patio
from much of the noise, pollution and rush of traffic on Arsenal Street.
•
patio.
Disabled people can disembark from a vehicle safely right at the entrance to the
• The wide vista from the patio means parents can watch their kids play on the
grass while they relax
and continue their meal.
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• Afternoon sunshine lights up the tall, broad west facade of the historic building
fronted by the patio.
This gorgeous brick wall reflects the changing light as the sun sinks deeper in the
West.
• Evening diners can enjoy the lovely view across the park, and watch the tall
windows of the handsome
historic Arsenal Center for the Arts brighten as shadows lengthen and showtime
approaches.
Moving the restaurant patio to the shadowed, busy Arsenal Street side of the building
would deprive Watertown of a really exceptional community resource.
Please support preservation of the current patio and its protective shade trees.
Thank you,
Libby Shaw
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Adams, Andrea
From: Robert Lauricella <archrmll@aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2016 11:15 AM
To: Marchesano, Ingrid
Subject: 311 Arsenal Street Project
I would like to object to any front setback relief for the new parking garage and front building on Arsenal
Srtreet, I believe that the view of the historic building to the east of the new garage will be compromised. This is a
significant architectural building and the new building will block the west elevation of the historic building. It is
important that at least one bay of the historic building be exposed to allow people to understand the beautiful
facade. It is very difficult to see the facade since it sits so close to the street. This is a case where a building on the
street is not the proper response to this location.
A compromise might be if Athena could flip the design of their garage so that the entry to the garage would be
on the eastern side and not the western as it is currently designed. This would at least create a wider gap at the street
providing some exposure to the west elevation of the historic structure. It would also put the facade with the sloping
ramp on the least visible side of their structure. As an architect it is always harder to create a pleasing facade with a
sloping ramp at the edge. This is demonstrated by the visible garage ramp on the new residential complex across the
street.
hope you could give this email to the board members and any other who might benefit from this information
Robert Lauricella 617 913-6237
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Adams, Andrea
From: Jonathan Bockian <jbockian@bockianlaw.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 9:20 AM
To: Magoon, Steven; Schreiber, Gideon
Cc: mcrowley@athenahealth.com; Dushku, Aaron; Palomba, Anthony; Sideris, Mark; Driscoll, Michael
Subject: athenahealth master plan special permit application
Attachments: Athenahealth Master Plan Transportation Component comments 5-16-2016 commty mtg.docx
Steve,
Please see the attached file, which is the statement I read on behalf of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force
(WPTTF) at the May 16 community meeting regarding the transportation component of athenahealth's master
plan special permit application. The statement is the WPTTF preliminary view. When DCDP does the staff
review of the permit application, we ask you to concur with the views expressed by WPTTF. We recognize that
athenahealth has made many worthwhile proposals. WPTTF views these proposals as insufficient and we ask
that DCDP make recommendations to the Planning Board that will result in major improvements to
athenahealth's proposal. The WPTTF is eager to work with you and athenahealth to achieve this goal.
Jonathan Bockian
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7-0hcttao ode 51(c3 11,6
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WPTTF Steering Committee Comments on Athenahealth Master Plan Proposal - Transportation
Component
Community Meeting, May 16, 2016
The transportation proposals of the athenahealth Traffic Impact Analysis are disappointing and
inadequate for the approval of a master plan special permit.
The transportation proposals consist of intersection alterations and traffic demand management
steps. Reduction in vehicle trips to and from the project (aka TDM) should be the highest priority
of the athenahealth transportation proposals. It's important to improve the intersections but
reducing traffic should be the ultimate goal.
This means setting bold goals and proposing traffic reduction steps that are as effective, creative
and dynamic as athenahealth holds itself out to be.
Athenahealth's proposals to reduce vehicle trips can best be described as minimal, not credible
or unacceptable.
Athenahealth does not propose any separately stated, quantified goal for trip reduction. This is a
significant oversight for a data driven company. We doubt athenahealth would consider, let alone
accept, a business project proposal without quantifiable and quantified goals. No master plan
special permit should be granted without a quantified and sufficient goal for traffic reduction.
Athenahealth does not commit to joining Watertown's Transportation Management Association
or to significantly supporting it. The tepid proposal is to "explore contributing monies... on a
proportionate basis ... for the establishment" of a TMA. No master plan special permit should be
granted without a robust commitment to join, contribute and participate in the Watertown
Transportation Management Association.
Athenahealth says it will become a MassRides employer partner, which is good, but other than
the TDM measures it lists, without further specifics, saying it will be a MassRIDES partner only
provides an added bullet point, not a substantive program.
For example, athenahealth does not commit to subsidizing employees' use of the MBTA.
Several of the TDM measures athenahealth lists are minimal. For example:
• Providing employees with an informational "welcome packet" — that's good, but hardly a
game changer.
• Preferential parking for alternative fuel vehicles — also nice — electric vehicle charging
stations — nice; but these have no real bearing on trip reduction.
• Provide direct deposit of employee paychecks and provide employee kitchen facilities —
are we supposed to think those are unusual percs today for a national company?
• Among the transportation demand reduction measures, athenahealth says it will provide
"pedestrian accommodations ... including sidewalks." Including this item as a TDM
measure hardly merits comment.
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This is not to say that athenahealth's proposals are bad. It's good they will do these things, but
athenahealth has not done enough to demonstrate that it is truly committed to significantly
reducing vehicle trips to and from the site. It has not yet demonstrated that it is willing to do
enough to justify a master plan special permit.
In its master plan special permit application, athenahealth should show itself to be the company
that it wants its employees, customers and business partners to see it as — data driven, visionary,
motivated, a place that values and uses phenomenally talented people, a company that does
momentous, really important and profound things. (These descriptions are taken from the
athenahealth website.) This transportation demand management proposal is not good enough for
athenahealth and it's certainly not good enough for Watertown. We hope athenahealth will learn
from the mistake that the current Transportation Impact Analysis proposals represent and
improve on these proposals before corning before our Planning Board.
Adams, Andrea
From: mciro <mciro@rcn.com>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 10:17 PM
To: Magoon, Steven; Schreiber, Gideon; Mark Sideris; Lisa Feltner, Councillor
Cc: Sarah and John Ryan; Dave Martin; Kathy Santoian; Jon Bockian
Subject: Fwd: FW: Email to Steve, etc.
Attachments: NBeacon Comments AthenaMP-041016.docx
Hi Steve, Gideon, Mark and Lisa,
Since we obviously aren't going to get relevant information from any public meetings
with Athena (that last one was a real waste of time, to say the least), we'd like to ask
you to update us on the comments we presented to you in mid -March. I've attached an
updated version of these, most of which you seemed to indicate could be incorporated
into the Master Plan.
The only one we know has been accepted is our request to be involved in the design of
the park in back of the garage, although what form that will take remains to be seen.
We don't trust Michael Crowley to make good on any promises.
Could you let us know where these issues will fit into the Master Plan?
Or, if they are not Master Plan items, when or how they will be resolved?
Thanks,
Marcia Ciro
1
North Beacon Street Neighbors
Athena Health Garage and Master Plan Concerns
4-10-16 update
frdarCA C.
Elevations:
1. Show street -level perspective rendering from Bay and N. Beacon Sts.
2. Show street level perspective rendering from Pequossette and N. Beacon Sts.
Lighting
1. Write into the master plan a provision for revisiting the lighting on campus/both
garages at least twice during the first year of operation to determine if there are any
issues for the neighborhood and allow for modifications to fix these issues.
Parking Hours
1. Show how electronic monitoring of parking spaces will effect parking on top floors
during weekday, weekend and nights.
Emergency Access Rd.
1. Want to see it written into any plan that this road will never be used for any other kind
of access
Neighborhood Access and Amenities
1. Include pedestrian access from our neighborhood to west end of property and park in
the form of crosswalks or other options for crossing N. Beacon St safely
2. We support a redesign of the intersection of N. Beacon St and Greenough Blvd at the
bridge to Brighton.
Traffic (for Town of Watertown)
1. Present comprehensive town plan for traffic for all development along Arsenal St.
including impacts on Charles River Road and cut -through to side streets, during and
after construction.
Construction
1. Show certificate of insurance from any contractor that might cause damage to our
homes during construction.
2. Share plans for any temporary relocation of parking while garage is being built.
3. What are the plans for returning N. Beacon St to 2 -hour parking along Squibnocket
Park after west end lot opens, and then after construction of garage?
Design of the West End Park
1. Allow for the neighborhood to have some input in the design of the park. We like the
amount of green, but are open to a more interesting concept than has been presented.
2. Share with public the all season planting plans (kinds of plants, year-round
maintenance) and allow for comments to ensure that the green wall can thrive long-
term.
Carry over to Planning Board Site Plan hearings:
1. Show lighting design at night from elevations above (1+2)
2. How much will perimeter wall obscure lighting at night? Show cut-off shielding and
state on/off times (this is required).
Adams, Andrea
From: Dave Martin <drm002172@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 10:51 PM
To: mciro@rcn.com; Magoon, Steven; Schreiber, Gideon; Mark Sideris; Lisa Feltner, Councillor
Cc: Sarah and John Ryan; Kathy Santoian; Jon Bockian
Subject: Re: FW: Email to Steve, etc.
Hello Gentlemen (& Gentlewoman),
I am so glad Marcia brought this up. I was part of the neighborhood meeting where we discussed these issues. I found
the public meeting very shallow and one dimensional. Where did all these issues go? The only exception as Marcia
pointed out was design of the park.
That question I asked about the garage elevation relative to the surrounding ground elevations brought about blank
stares. How could this be so since this was the first item on our list? I even felt foolish asking the question.... No, this is
not a trivial thing. The ground slopes downward from the garage and the appearance of this 78.7 foot elevation will be
even more pronounced. Did we get tricked into agreeing to something that was deceptively presented?
Please pursue Athena with this list of issues and concerns. We didn't come this far to only see it slip away. Thank you
very much....
Sincerely,
Dave Martin
Original Message
From: "mciro" <mciro cc rcn.com>
To: "'Magoon, Steven' <smagoonRwatertown-ma.gov>; "Schreiber, Gideon" <gschreiber@watertown-ma.gov>;
<srdsmark(a�aol.com>; "Lisa Feltner, Councillor" <councillorfeltnerRgmail.com>
Cc: "Sarah and John Ryan" <jsnmryan@comcast.net>; "Dave Martin" <drm002172@,aol.com>; "Kathy Santoian"
<ksantoiant gmail.com>; "Jon Bockian" <jbockianArcn.com>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 10:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: FW: Email to Steve, etc.
Hi Steve, Gideon, Mark and Lisa,
Since we obviously aren't going to get relevant information from any
public meetings with Athena (that last one was a real waste of time, to
say the least), we'd like to ask you to update us on the comments we
presented to you in mid -March. I've attached an updated version of
these, most of which you seemed to indicate could be incorporated into
the Master Plan.
The only one we know has been accepted is our request to be involved in
the design of the park in back of the garage, although what form that
will take remains to be seen. We don't trust Michael Crowley to make
good on any promises.
Could you let us know where these issues will fit into the Master Plan?
Or, if they are not Master Plan items, when or how they will be resolved?
Thanks,
Marcia Ciro
1