Neighbors share ongoing concerns with Winter Street 40B development proposal

Residents concerned about a large residential development proposed last month for northwest Waltham brought their worries to city decision-makers again last week.

Nine residents attended the Zoning Board of Appeals Aug. 7 meeting to detail how construction of The Alexan Winter Street, a proposed affordable housing project at 245-265 Winter St., will affect their daily lives, home values, traffic volume and light issues.

They also said they were concerned about its proximity to other recently built and proposed 40B developments.

Their comments echoed points made by residents when the project was initially presented to the ZBA on July 10.

Waltham Housing and Community Development Director Colette Casey-Brenner expressed similar concerns in a June 27 letter to the board, writing that significant 40B construction in the area could burden neighborhood infrastructure.

Nearly half of the speakers at last week’s meeting asked the board to limit the capacity or height of the development. 

One neighbor, Susan Poirier, said that Waltham could reach the state’s benchmark of 10% affordable housing by approving one of the 40B projects currently in front of the ZBA. 

ZBA Chair John Sergi clarified that the board was obligated to consider all 40B projects filed with the board before the city declared it had reached that limit.

The Alexan Winter Street falls under the regulations of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B, which allows special permits for residential buildings if they provide sufficient affordable housing and if the community in which they want to build does not meet the state’s affordable housing benchmarks. In such cases, the local ZBA is responsible for putting together the comprehensive special permit.

Ward 2 Councilor Caren Dunn also spoke at last week’s ZBA meeting, asking board members and the developer for a list of considerations, including rejecting requests from the developer to build closer to nearby homes; publishing a detailed plan for any blasting during construction that could affect neighbors; including home inspections for neighbors; and maintaining a fence and old growth trees that serve as a barrier with abutting properties.

The project’s traffic architect, Matt Kealey of VHB, a multidisciplinary engineering, planning and design firm, has estimated the project would bring around 130 additional vehicle trips to the area during the morning and evening rush hours and said this would not have a significant effect on traffic conditions. He proposed a few minor traffic light timing changes to improve traffic in the area.

Kealey also said the project would encourage residents to limit their use of personal cars and trucks by providing bike parking and information on public transportation.

The ZBA also heard an initial report from independent 40B consultant Joe Peznola of Hancock Associates, who said the developer’s papers are in order so far. He recommended the board commission independent peer reviews of the project’s civil engineering, traffic and architectural plans — starting with a traffic review from MDM Transportation Consultants.

Peznola also recommended the board require thorough responses from the developer to all letters the project has received from city departments.

The board has scheduled further discussion on the project for its Sept. 16 meeting.