I really shouldn’t read about the Fenway neighborhood, it’s too depressing. I went to the zoning meetings for more than a year where we decided that a redevelopment of Boylston St should involve 6-8 story buildings with the possibility of taller buildings in a couple areas ( here’s the end result). And here’s Menino at the end of the process:
Mayor Thomas M. Menino released the East and West Fenway neighborhood plans today at a reception thanking the 28-member Fenway Planning Task Force for their three years of service. The East Fenway Neighborhood Strategic Plan and the West Fenway: Land Use and Urban Design Guidelines are the result of a Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA)-led planning process that outlines a future vision for the vibrant East and West Fenway neighborhoods. The adoption of these plans will lead to new zoning that will be established by the Zoning Commission this summer. The present zoning dates back to the 1950s.
“I’m excited to be releasing the East and Fenway neighborhood plans today,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The visions outlined in these plans will give way for future development that will satisfy the needs of the neighborhood and the entire city. I want to thank all who gave their time and made this planning process a success.”
Over the three-year period, the Task Force and the public worked closely with the BRA and the Boston Transportation Department. Mayor Menino appointed the Task Force, which consists of community activists, business leaders and professionals, in order to facilitate community input into the planning and rezoning process for the East and West Fenway.
“The Fenway neighborhood is a unique residential community that also hosts many of Boston’s important landmarks and institutions that contribute to the life and diversity of the city,” said BRA Director Mark Maloney.
He must have been laughing at the time we all wasted on this meaningless plan. So far two new projects have been built on Boylston and three more (there’s an article in the Globe about this one, which is the one I shouldn’t have read) are planned (and don’t forget Brookline Ave). All of them are taller than what we said we wanted (we agreed to allow buildings to be taller if they had more affordable housing, this latest project wants to provide less).
