Donate

Zoning & Planning

Chestnut Street Raises Question of Precedent

October 23, 2026
After multiple public hearing sessions, the controversial project on Chestnut Street received an amended special permit to address construction deviations from the original plans. “Everything is all set,” said Assad Hamad, the applicant for the two-family project at 45 Chestnut St., located…

Neighbors: Chestnut Street Project Still Falls Short

October 1, 2026
Five public hearing sessions later, with another on the calendar, the Planning Board has yet to come to a determination on the controversial two-family project on Chestnut Street. The project is located across from Pequossette Park, and neighbors and other residents at…

Neighbors Question Oversight of Housing Project

July 31, 2026
A new public hearing is underway for a two-family housing project on Chestnut Street across from Pequossette Park, where construction has deviated far enough from permitted plans that the Planning Board requested a second review of the project. It’s a situation that…

Officials Outline Vision for Hill’s Crossing

June 28, 2026
You may have previously heard it described as the Brighton Street Corridor. Now, as planning officials move forward with the zoning project, it’s going by a new name: the Hill’s Crossing Overlay District. “This whole area is owned by Henry Hill of…

Town Charts Next Steps Following Overlay Votes

March 16, 2026
According to planning officials, the next steps are already underway for ensuring the future success of two new overlay districts voted on by Town Meeting earlier this month. “We’re grateful to Town Meeting and all the residents who participated,” Planning Board Chair…

Zoning for Hotels Receives Town Meeting Approval

March 6, 2026
Town Meeting members voted Thursday night to approve the Center Gateway Overlay District, creating the chance a hotel may be built on Concord Avenue. The vote was 196-52 with six abstentions. Because the Gateway District Overlay did not have a residential requirement,…

Town Meeting Approves Belmont Center Overlay District

March 5, 2026
After a lengthy and contentious debate Wednesday night, Town Meeting ultimately approved the Belmont Center Overlay District, 165-87, with 10 abstentions. With its passage, the town can begin accepting project applications Nov. 1, 2026. “I think it’s an excellent plan which… is,…
A street scene in summer

Overlay Votes on Deck at Town Meeting

February 27, 2026
The highly anticipated votes on the Belmont Center Overlay are just days away. There are two overlay proposals on the warrant for the special Town Meeting, which begins March 4. Article 2 would shift zoning along Leonard Street, and Article 3 would…
1 2
Donate
Newsletter Sign-up