Vision for a Better Belmont: Jeff Birenbaum

 July/August 2024, Newsletter, Town Committee Meetings  Comments Off on Vision for a Better Belmont: Jeff Birenbaum
Jun 252024
 
Vision for a Better Belmont: Jeff Birenbaum

The stated goal of the Planning Board is to protect and preserve the character and the quality of life that defines Belmont (www.belmont-ma.gov/planning-board). Jeff Birenbaum is chair of the Belmont Planning Board. BCF How would you define Belmont’s character and quality of life, in a few sentences? Birenbaum Belmont, Massachusetts, is known for its great neighborhoods, excellent schools, vibrant community life, and keen sense of history. Its character and quality of life are shaped by its close-knit community feel. Residents value Belmont’s suburban charm, cultural diversity, recreational amenities access, and commitment to environmental sustainability. Preserving these aspects while responsibly managing [READ MORE]

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Vision for a Better Belmont: Chris Ryan

 Construction and Housing, May/June 2024, Open Space, Parking, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Vision for a Better Belmont: Chris Ryan
Apr 302024
 
Vision for a Better Belmont: Chris Ryan

This is the fourth of a new series of interviews with Belmont leaders about their vision for Belmont’s future. Jeffrey North conducted this interview. It has been edited for length and clarity. – Ed. Chris Ryan has served as Belmont’s town planner and director of planning and building (OPB) since September 2023. With more than 30 years of experience in city planning and economic development, Chris has worked at the town, city, county, regional, and state levels in the public sector in at least 10 communities and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission; the Metropolitan Area Planning Council; and the Central [READ MORE]

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Opinion: Belmont Zoning Laws Penalize GR District

 March/April 2023, Newsletter  Comments Off on Opinion: Belmont Zoning Laws Penalize GR District
Mar 012023
 
Opinion: Belmont Zoning Laws Penalize GR District

by Chris Arthur The last article I wrote about zoning (“Belmont’s Zoning Needs Rethinking,” BCF Newsletter, January/February 2023) focused on changing the use of “nonconforming” properties so that all properties would have to abide by the same rules, and owners could build to the allowable requirements of the code. I also mentioned changing the code to create a smaller allowable footprint. This article focuses on the unfairness of the existing code to an entire zoning district.   Belmont’s zoning map can be found on the town’s website. There are several residential districts. For example, SR-C (Single Residence “C”) and GR [READ MORE]

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School Claims Parking is “Educational Use”

 Climate Change, Construction and Housing, Environment, January/February 2023, Open Space, Parking  Comments Off on School Claims Parking is “Educational Use”
Jan 032023
 
School Claims Parking is “Educational Use”

By Justin Roe Belmont Hill School submitted their long-awaited plan for the Belmont Hill woodlands area to the planning board in October. The response from Belmont’s residents was instantaneous and overwhelming in opposing the proposal.  Within three weeks, Belmont’s Select Committee and Planning Board have received hundreds of letters voicing town opposition to the project. A petition in opposition has attracted over 2,200 signatures, and hundreds of lawn signs and banners are popping up in every district in Belmont. School action groups from Lexington and Waltham are taking an active role. All within a few weeks.  The school presented its [READ MORE]

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Belmont’s Zoning Should Reflect Actual Use

 Construction and Housing, January/February 2023, Newsletter  Comments Off on Belmont’s Zoning Should Reflect Actual Use
Jan 032023
 
Belmont’s Zoning Should Reflect Actual Use

By Max Colice The intensity and use regulations of Belmont’s zoning bylaws don’t reflect how most land in Belmont is actually used. Changing the bylaws to match how land in Belmont has been developed and used would reduce the burden on town officials, promote growth while preserving character, and lead to fairer, more predictable outcomes for homeowners looking to renovate or expand their homes. It would also preserve open space, allow for small-scale development of more affordable housing, and remove obstacles to small-scale commercial development. Belmont’s zoning bylaw divides the town into different zones or districts; it permits varied uses, [READ MORE]

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Belmont’s Zoning Needs Rethinking

 Construction and Housing, January/February 2023  Comments Off on Belmont’s Zoning Needs Rethinking
Jan 032023
 
Belmont’s Zoning Needs Rethinking

By Chris Arthur The current Belmont zoning bylaw produces inconsistent and haphazard results. It requires vastly different paths to get a permit, and those paths produce vastly different results. Changes to the zoning bylaw can produce more consistency, greater fairness, and be in line with neighboring towns’ zoning bylaws, which have been updated over the past 10 years.  Cleaning up the Belmont zoning bylaw to create more consistency and clarity will also help the town’s coffers by reducing the hours that the Belmont Planning staff spend on special permits and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) projects, so that there is [READ MORE]

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Select Board Candidate Answers BCF Questions

 Board of Selectmen, March/April 2020, Newsletter  Comments Off on Select Board Candidate Answers BCF Questions
Mar 022020
 
Select Board Candidate Answers BCF Questions

Each year, the Belmont Citzens Forum asks Select Board candidates questions about issues facing our town. This year, Adam Dash provided answers. He was limited to 1,200 words. What steps would you take to ensure that the design and construction of the Belmont Community Path proceed efficiently? Finally, after decades of Belmont residents waiting, the community path is being brought to reality.  Parts 1A (the Alexander Avenue tunnel under the railroad tracks) and 1B (from Brighton Street to the Clark Street Bridge) are currently being designed. We need to make sure that the construction of Parts 1A and 1B gets [READ MORE]

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