HomeMy Public PortalAbout1_MassHousing Town Notice - Watertown Place_2019_1114so.00111011111
NIASSHOUS1NG
Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency
One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
TEL: 617.854.1000
FAX: 617.854.1091
www.masshousing,com
Videophone: 857 366.47 57 or Relay: 711
November 14, 2019
Michael J Driscoll, Town Manager
Town of Watertown
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Re: Proposed 40B — Watertown Place
Watertown, MA
MH ID No. 1057
Dear Mr. Driscoll:
MassHousing is currently reviewing an application for Site Approval submitted by Nordblom
Development Company, Inc. (the Applicant). The proposed development will consist of 253 units
of rental housing on approximately 2.62 acres of land located at 148 Waltham Street in
Watertown, MA.
The Site Approval process is offered to project sponsors who intend to apply for a
Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 40B. MassHousing's review involves an evaluation of the
site, the design concept, the financial feasibility of the proposal, and the appropriateness of the
proposal in relation to local housing needs and strategies. As part of our review, we are soliciting
comments from the local community and we would appreciate your input. You also may wish to
include in your response, issues or concerns raised by other city boards, officials or other
interested parties. Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B regulations (760
CMR 56.00) your comments may include information regarding municipal actions previously
taken to meet affordable housing needs such as inclusionary zoning, multifamily districts
adopted under G.L. c.40A and overlay districts adopted under G.L. c.40R. Your comments will
be considered as part of our review.
We have been informed by the Applicant that the Town has received a copy of the application
and plans for Watertown Place. Please inform us of any issues that have been raised or are
anticipated in the Town's review of this application. We request that you submit your comments
to this office by Monday, December 16, so we may process this application in a timely manner.
During the course of its review, MassHousing will conduct a site visit, which Local Boards, as
defined in 760 CMR 56.02, may attend. The site visit for Watertown Place has been tentatively
scheduled for Monday, November 25 at 10 a.m. Please notify me promptly if any representatives
of your office or if other Local Boards plan to attend the scheduled site visit.
Charles D. Baker, Governor Michael J. Dirrane, Chairman
Karyn E. Polito, It Governor Ping Yin Chai, Vice Chair
Chrystal Kornegay, Executive Director
Please note that if and when an application is submitted for a comprehensive permit, assistance is
available to the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to review the permit application.
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership's (MHP) Ch. 40B Technical Assistance Program
administers grants to municipalities for up to $15,000 to engage qualified third -party consultants
to work with the town's ZBA in reviewing the Chapter 40B proposal. For more information
about MHP's technical assistance grant visit MHP's web site, www.mhp.net/40B or e-mail MHP
at kbosse@mhp.net.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (617) 854-1116.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
416,6
Katherine Miller
Planning and Programs
cc: Mark Sideris, President, Town Council
Melissa Santucci Rozzi, Chair, Zoning Board of Appeals
Steven Magoon, Director, Community Development and Planning