Why We Are Speaking Up
The City of Melrose’s current approach to large-scale development projects has set the City on a path that will bring traffic, pollution and other hardships to current and future Melrose residents. When properly managed, re-development projects have the potential to bring about positive change for Melrose. It can enhance neighborhoods, grow the City’s economy, increase the availability of affordable housing, and bring new residents to the community who will contribute to Melrose’s vibrant culture.
The City isn’t on the wrong path because of ill-will or incompetence. It got here because of an exclusionary, obscure, bureaucratic development process. It is a process run by un-elected officials, developers, and special interests that do the legally minimum amount of outreach and notification to affected neighborhoods that are the subject of these new large scale developments.
Recently approved re-development projects near the Highlands train station will add 200 - 400 residents to an already congested traffic area. The projects do not include enough parking, focusing on the belief the residents will all find jobs in Boston and use the commuter rail or bicycles so there will be no additional traffic. But developers acknowledged the residents would make extensive use of ride-share and delivery services - bringing more cars and trucks to busy Franklin Street.
One of the approved projects will begin the creation of a four-story tall canyon of buildings along Franklin Street between Tremont and Greenwood Streets.
This is the developers vision of the future of Melrose. Is it yours?
How Melrose is developed today will impact the quality of life in the City for decades after the construction dust has settled.
Our mission
Ensure residents of Melrose neighborhoods impacted by re-development projects have a say in what their community will look like in the future…
…by transforming the City’s Development Review and Special Permit Approval process into an inclusive and transparent process…
…that actively invites citizen participation and holds the City’s elected officials accountable for major changes in the City
Increase transparency in the development process
Immediately resuming in-person Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings while also providing an on-line option for those who want to attend remotely
City adoption of a neighborhood notification process that exceeds the state’s current requirement of notifications for abutters within within 300 feet of a project. Projects adding 10 or more units should require USPS mail to abutters within at least half a mile of a project
Proactive notification by the City using email and social media to announce all Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, including the agenda, minimally 48 hours in advance of each meeting
Requiring developers to hold at least two community meetings prior to submission of plans to the City; provide notification a minimum of 14 days in advance via USPS mail, social media and City email system while adhering to the City’s adopted notification process
Bringing electoral accountability to the development process
Currently your elected officials have no formal say in these major redevelopment projects happening in the city.
We think the Mayor and City Council should be required to provide approvals for redevelopment projects of five units or more
We aren’t quite sure how this could work - maybe you have some other ideas?
Enhance the quality of life for residents in impacted neighborhoods
Most of the City’s large-scale re-development projects will happen in the BA-2 (commuter rail-adjacent), BA-1 (downtown), and BD (around the hospital) zoning districts.
Require 50% of the fees paid to the City go directly to the affected neighborhoods for community improvements (i.e., green space, pedestrian crossings, upgraded sidewalks, etc.)
Amend Zoning Code 235-40 Parking Reduction Provisions to remove Section A that currently allows use of municipal parking lots in lieu of onsite parking for residential buildings
Amend Section C to define a specific percentage (we recommend no less than 80%) for the reduction of parking spaces in residentail buildings. The current wording leaves the ratio up to the discretion of the Planning Board.
Contact your elected officials and tell them it’s time to make changes!
Mayor Brodeur 781-979-4440
pbrodeur@cityofmelrose.org
Ward 1 Councilor Manjula Karamcheti 617-543-2640
mkaramcheti@cityofmelrose.org
Council President Christopher Cinella 617-917-4248
ccinella@cityofmelrose.org
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