June 2021 – Mugar Update
The next ZBA hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, June 29, starting at 6:30 pm, to continue discussion of the Comprehensive Permit for Thorndike Place on the Mugar land in East Arlington.
At the previous hearing on June 10, the Applicant presented further revised design plans for 12 townhouses as ownership units facing Dorothy Road and the main building to include 124 rental units for senior independent living, but no assisted living units as had been proposed in an earlier plan. Additional information was requested by the ZBA for the Applicant to address numerous public health and safety concerns raised by this type of specialized housing, along with other outstanding materials.
In addition, Arlington’s Town Counsel recently drafted a Memorandum of Understanding to assist the Applicant, the Town and other potential parties in developing a plan to improve, mitigate and transfer the undeveloped parcel of approximately 12.5 acres of land for conservation purposes. Again, many questions remain to be discussed and resolved before any transfer can occur.
Please register in advance for this Zoom meeting; you will receive a confirmation email with instructions about joining. Note that the ZBA agenda includes two other hearings, so the actual start time for Thorndike Place is uncertain.
Please send your own comments and concerns about this proposed project to the Zoning Board at zba@town.arlington.ma.us.
Arlington Land Trust continues to advocate for the permanent protection of the Mugar parcel as conservation land. The site is subject to regular and significant flooding, and is a critical stormwater buffer for the surrounding and downstream neighborhoods of East Arlington.