HomeMy Public PortalAboutDraft CP Plan Comments - May 2021WATERTOWN
COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE
COMMENTS TO THE DRAFT COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN BY EMAIL
Name of Commenter
Comments
Joyce Kelly
Watertown Historical
Society
1. Page 2 - Raytheon was in Waltham, not Watertown. Parts of the
buildings may have been in Watertown, but I don't think that counts.
2. Page 3 - 93% of Mount Auburn Cemetery is in Watertown. I think
that should be spelled out, instead of saying "a major portion".
3. Page 37 - a representation of Roger Clap is depicted on the Town
Seal, not Robert Clap.
4. Page 38 - The Executive Council (28 members), or Governor's
Council met in the Edmund Fowle House, not the Provincial
Congress. The Provincial Congress (103 members) met in the
Meetinghouse on Common Street Cemetery.
Great job on this multi -faceted document!
Janice Tura
It is a real shame that this town waited this long to announce it is
interested in purchasing land, as I see all open space already let go to
development. Where is there any land to purchase?
Catherine Durak
Community house[ing} We have enough open space and have already
preserved all the historic buildings. We need to make housing available
to the average person. Enough of the expensive high rises.
David Leon
Watertown Housing
Partnership
I want to express my appreciation for the efforts and work by you and
the CPC to bring the CPC plan and process to this point. I am excited to
see the CPC begin to fulfill its community preservation mission in
Watertown.
wanted to share a few miscellaneous comments/thoughts with the
CPC on the Plan:
Comments to Draft Community Preservation Plan — May 2021
Values, Principles and Priorities:
- I am delighted to see a statement (#1e) that CPC will
prioritize "incorporating universal design principles" in
projects. Perhaps additional language regarding accessibility could also
be embedded in the "values statement" and "open space" goal.
The Town has not yet established universal design guidelines to be
incorporated by developers early in the design phase resulting in
particularly large projects that just meet the bare minimum ADA
requirements (e.g. Arsenal Yards, Athena campus).
Including "incorporating universal design" as a priority will help ensure
that community preservation projects/ amenities will be able to be
enjoyed by the widest array of residents/users.
Community Housing Goals:
- Perhaps add to goal #1- " based on documented community needs...
and consistent with Watertown's Housing Plan. "
- I think it is prudent that CPC included a provision for off -cycle time
sensitive applications for "high priority" projects that might involve, for
example, real estate deadlines. Notwithstanding, as the Town is
moving toward establishing a municipal affordable housing trust,
the Town/CPC will want to consider the best way(s) to fund so that it
can be nimble and effective.
CPA Application Guidelines:
- If possible, condense the application process timeline to complete the
execution of the grant agreements by May to, perhaps, take better
advantage of the construction season.
Comments to Draft Community Preservation Plan — May 2021