All five members of the Newton Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve the Comprehensive Permit filed by Toll Brothers for a six-story, 184-unit apartment house on Route 9 (528 Boylston Street). The project, in compliance with the state’s Chapter 40B Affordable Housing law, designates 25% of its units as affordable. Thirty-seven units will be for people earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income and nine units for people earning up to 50% of AMI. With its approval, the ZBA included a list of conditions developed by the Planning Department, based on input from the community and ZBA members.
ZBA member Stuart Snyder made the motion to approve the permit, which was seconded by ZBA Vice Chair Brooke Lipsitt. Both noted that the project was not their idea of the best project for the neighborhood, acknowledging that it would dwarf the surrounding houses and impact traffic on Route 9 and local streets. Describing the current site as a “slice of heaven,” Mr. Snyder explained that if the ZBA declined approval, Toll Brothers would appeal to the Housing Appeals Commission, which would likely overturn that decision, and the project would proceed without all the developer’s concessions. Ms. Lipsitt said that the permit was among the more difficult decisions challenging the ZBA. ZBA member Jennifer Pucci said that a positive factor in the development will be the addition of forty-six affordable units. Chairman Mike Rossi assured the many attendees that the Board had read all the emails and letters and listened to all the comments made at the eight public hearings.
Among the changes from the original plan, the project was reduced from seven to six stories and from 244 units to 184 units. The final version also has greater setbacks from local property lines, noise mitigation measures, multiple storm and groundwater measures, and regulated construction times.
The discussion, including all of the ZBA’s condition, waivers, and findings for the project, are here.
