Letters to the Editor
More Clarity Needed For Rezoning
As a Roslindale resident living in an existing 2F-5000 zone, I was surprised to hear recently that Boston's Planning Board is proposing to re-zone thousands of residential lots in Roslindale not otherwise re-zoned in last year's Squares + Streets (S+S) zoning initiative. My existing 5,300-square-foot lot with a 2-unit building, is proposed to be an 'RD-4' zone which could be permitted to support 4 units if the existing building is torn down. If compliant with dimensional zoning requirements, a 4-unit building project would also be 'as-of-right' with no prior notice given to abutters prior to construction. Other neighborhoods are being rezoned into: RD-2, RD-3 and RD-6 zones, all with their own dimensional regulations. (Click on 'Draft Zoning Amendment' at www.bostonplans.org/neighborhood-housing).
Delving further into the Residential Districts Draft Zoning Text Amendment, I see that the Planning Board is also allowing for even more units that can be built on a little 5,000-SF lot: per Section 20-3, up to 16 units in a 4-story building (after public notice and hearing subject to Article 6) is allowed with a conditional use permit granted by the ZBA. A building of this size would almost max out a 5,000-SF lot area, thus allowing for minimal open space for tree cover and permeable ground area.
A number of people have commented about the need for more housing. I feel that in particular, an increase in income-restricted units is more so needed. I am vaguely aware of an IZ (Inclusionary Zoning) policy in Boston's zoning code that states projects of 7 units and greater can include income restricted units for rental or home ownership. Apparently, projects less than 7 units don't have to comply. It is important to be aware of the fact that an increase in the number of built units does not equate with an increase in low-income housing units.
Once approved by the Boston Zoning Commission, the draft zoning code changes become permanent. My neighbors and I have too many questions about this latest draft to have this iteration approved as written. The public comment period ends on October 31st, and I appeal to the Planning Board to extend the deadline so that anybody that is interested will have the needed time to ask questions. I entreat all who are reading this letter to read and try to decipher the code for themselves. As written, it is complex, and more clarity is needed for many items. Whether you're a homeowner or not, it is critical that all residents in Roslindale's many neighborhoods email the Planning Board with any concerns, comments and suggestions that you may have.
Nancy Leask
Roslindale
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Comments
Thank you, Nancy. The way I read the zoning, it will result in the loss of a large number of mature trees in Roslindale if it goes through as written. The Planning Department says that it wrote Section 20.6 in consultation with the Environment Department. This is the section of the zoning that will allow a developer of a property in RD-4 to add an additional floor (4 floors rather than 3) and two additional units (6 rather than 4) if an easement of 5’ along the front of the property is filed with the city, allowing it to widen the sidewalk and/or plant a few saplings along the street. The rear-yard setback under this section of the proposed zoning is reduced in RD-4 from 15’ to 10’. In last year’s ramp-up to the new zoning, the Planning Department showed photographs of trees thriving in as little as 40’ of yard (combined between two abutting properties). One doesn’t need to be a math wiz to understand that if the rear-yard setback is reduced to 10’, even in combination with another 10’ rear yard, 20’ is not enough for mature trees to thrive. Moreover, developers generally prefer to clear-cut properties when they demolish an existing home and replace it with a six-unit, four-story building (with no parking required). All the mature trees on that property will be cut down and the saplings planted along the street will not compensate for the loss of those mature trees. If this is repeated over and again throughout Roslindale, the existing tree canopy will be greatly reduced. Like you, I think the city should extend the comment period so people have time to digest the zoning and think about its effects on their neighborhood.