Two long-awaited studies for parking and traffic, as they relate to the Belmont Center Overlay Project, are officially in the town’s hands.
“We’re looking for constructive comments on how we can make the zoning better, and I know it’s a tricky topic, especially when you get to traffic,” Planning Board Chair Thayer Dunham said at a public hearing at which the reports were presented. “And I appreciate focusing on the center only and what we can do to make Belmont better.”
The findings were presented at a joint meeting of the Planning Board, Select Board, and the Traffic Advisory Committee.
The proposed overlay—which allows increased building heights on Leonard Street and includes plans for mixed-use development—stems from a 2008 report, “A Planning Vision for Belmont Center,” which recommended it.
The zoning would allow a base building height of 2 ½ stories, with a maximum of 3 ½ stories (through density bonuses) on the northwest side of Leonard Street, according to Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan. On the southeast side, which includes shops such as CVS and The Toy Shop, Leonard Street would allow buildings with a base of 3 stories, with a maximum of 4 stories. Town planners will use form-based zoning when creating the overlay, which provides guidelines on the physical design of any new development.
According to Sam Offei-Addo, of BSC Group, which conducted the traffic analysis, the half-buildout scenario for the overlay would add “modest new traffic,” specifically, increasing wait times by roughly 10 to 15 seconds in peak periods compared to now. Planned signalization improvements, however, should mitigate the delay, he said. Offei-Addo also noted that a majority of traffic was drivers cutting through Belmont, so traffic would exist regardless of whether an overlay is approved.
“Overall, it seems like the plan, as you’re currently drafting it, is a net win in terms of imposing order and discipline in what is a chaotic situation,” said Select Board Chair Matt Taylor.
Offei-Addo explained the half build-out scenario assumed 258 residential units, 97,000 square feet of office space, 141,438 square feet of retail/service space, and 179 hotel rooms.
“The [traffic] numbers are really startling, and for anyone who has sat in Belmont Center in the morning and evening hours … is not encouraging,” said Rena Fonseca, an abutter to the project. “It’s quite horrifying, in fact. It’s very hard to see how that will add seconds rather than 20 minutes or a half hour to what is already a nightmarish commute.”
Resident Anne Marie Mahoney also expressed skepticism about the signalization’s impact on mitigating traffic volume.
“I live on the bottom block of Goden Street,” said Mahoney. “We went from no signalization to the mother of all signals. Imposing that order doesn’t change the volume. And the volume is the issue.”
Some residents wanted to highlight their concerns for bicycle traffic in the center, particularly as it goes through the intersection at the railroad bridge.
“I understand you’ve taken it into account; I understand the bridge is a finite space, but I do worry about that intersection,” Heather Barr said. “It’s currently a very hostile experience to bike into Belmont Center.”
As for parking, the report indicated that even at peak use, parking in the project area never exceeded 35% of capacity. Still, the consultant Andy Hill, senior associate at DESMAN, said recommendations for the future included revising the parking ratios for restaurants, hotels, and residential. Banks, retail, office, and other institutions are OK as is. Other recommendations included considering shared parking agreements or piloting a program to reconsider the overnight parking ban.
Following the presentation, Kevin Foley of Locatelli Properties said he could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the overlay project, but also one of the landlords to “really feel damage.” Len Simons, representing Foley, added his client was “not in a position” to support the current proposal “unless we see a clear path to protecting our investments.”
“I appreciate what the town is trying to do, but we need to be careful,” Foley said, noting the town needs to be as realistic about parking as it is about traffic.
Anyone who wasn’t able to have their questions answered Thursday night can email Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan at cryan@belmont-ma.gov.
