Conservation Commission reviews restrictions, rules on Bay Colony project

The Waltham Conservation Commission reviewed its role in certifying nine drafted conservation restrictions, including some properties partly or fully outside its jurisdiction. It determined that the proposed 283-unit redevelopment at 1000 Winter St., part of the broader Bay Colony project, falls outside its jurisdiction.

The commission enforces the Massachusetts Wetlands Protections Act and other relevant wetland regulations. Its authority covers protected wetlands, waterways, floodplains and surrounding regulated areas, while conservation restrictions can protect other types of land as well. 

The city recently presented nine draft conservation restrictions, five of which reportedly fall within the commission’s jurisdiction. 

The former Fernald State School property was cited as a prominent example of the city’s unfinished conservation restriction process. The city purchased the property in 2014 using Community Preservation Act funds. In July, the commission approved a proposed golf course on part of the property, on the condition that the city explain why a conservation restriction was not in place before construction could proceed.  

In August, Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy wrote a letter responding to the commission’s concerns. McCarthy said her office and the Law Department were working to complete the outstanding restrictions. 

Members of the commission discussed the requirement for conservation restrictions on land purchased using Community Preservation Act funds. The process has remained unresolved for years. No independent restriction holder, who would be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the restrictions, has yet been identified.

“We’ve been pushing to get conservation restrictions. We have drafts in front of us now. So we’ve gotten a lot further than we ever have at this point,” said Bill Doyle, chair of the committee.  

The commission intends to revisit the topic at its meeting on Nov. 3. 

Bay Colony redevelopment

In August, the City Council voted to override McCarthy’s veto of zoning overlay districts that would expand permitted uses in the Bay Colony District to accommodate residential development. Chris Carr, representing BXP, and Nick Scoli from VHB, the engineering firm, presented the proposal for one of the properties within the Bay Colony redevelopment at 1000 Winter St. at the meeting. 

The proposal involves demolition of an approximately 280,000-square-foot vacant office building and construction of 283 multifamily apartment units. Carr said BXP will continue to coordinate with the Cambridge Water Department because of the nearby reservoir. 

The commission reviewed the development prospectus and determined it was outside its jurisdictional areas. 

The project still needs City Council approval, and additional neighborhood meetings will be planned to hear community feedback.