Blog

  • ZBA to Review New Mugar Site Plan October 13

    The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting on Tuesday, October 13, was supposed to focus on critical wetland impacts and stormwater management on the Mugar site. However, at the Conservation Commission meeting on October 1, Oaktree Development presented a significantly revised site plan to replace the original plan for Thorndike Place, its proposed 40B housing development. 

    Revised Site Plan
    Original Site Plan

    No further plans or reports have been provided since then, so many crucial details are unknown, such as the revised wetlands boundaries, stormwater impacts and mitigation, building heights, and the proposed number of housing units and parking spaces. Until complete hydrological studies and other documentation are shared by the development team, further analysis by Town boards and Beta Group, the Town’s peer reviewer, remains in limbo.

    At the October 13 ZBA hearing the developers are expected to provide some new information about their revised site plan, but the scope and context are uncertain. 

    To register in advance, go to the ZBA agenda on the Town website.

    Wetlands delineation is a critical upcoming decision.
    Please let your concerns be heard.

    Defining the extent of the site’s wetlands begins with an evaluation by the developer’s soils scientist, who then provides findings and data for review by the Town’s peer review consultants. Ultimately the Zoning Board of Appeals, with the input of the consultants and advice from ConCom, will determine the extent of the wetlands to be protected.

    Please consider writing to both the ZBA and the ConCom to ask them to ensure that the review of the wetlands is thorough and accurate, and includes investigation of whether they have been been altered or covered by dumping or filling during the site’s decades of neglect. Comments may be sent to both boards at zba@town.arlington.ma.us and  concomm@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.

  • Mugar Developer Revises Site Plan

    ConCom Review on Thursday Oct 1 at 9pm

    Oaktree Development has presented the Town with a significantly revised site plan to replace the original plan for its proposed 40B housing development of East Arlington’s Mugar parcel. According to an accompanying memo from the proponent’s engineer, “the Applicant is proposing to revise the site plan to avoid or minimize wetland resource area impacts.”

    Revised Site Plan
    Original Site Plan

    The new plan replaces the townhouses along Dorothy Road with a single multi-family structure and moves most parking underground, with a significant reduction in impervious surface. No specifics were furnished with the plan, so many details, such as the building height and proposed number of housing units or parking spaces, remain unknown.

    The plan is being presented to the Conservation Commission as a “working session to foster an open discussion of the proposal.” That meeting will be conducted this Thursday by remote participation, with the Mugar agenda item scheduled for 9pm. To register in advance go to the ConCom agenda on the Town website.

    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.

  • Spy Pond Scavenger Hunts

    Spy Pond Scavenger Hunts

    Since the annual Spy Pond Park Fun Day had to be cancelled this year, the Friends of Spy Pond Park created two activities that families, teenagers and adults can do while wearing masks and staying socially distanced in and near Spy Pond Park.

    A Public Art Hunt is fun for all ages including preschoolers. Click here for the images of 7 pieces of public art in Spy Pond Park and the bike path above it.

    The History Mysteries Hunt uses QR codes to take you around the park to find out what was happening around Spy Pond in the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s, late 1900s and today. All you have to do is point your smartphone camera at the codes. Click here for the first clue to get you started.

  • Fall Volunteer Projects

    Fall Volunteer Projects

    After a hot, dry summer, many of our parks and conservation lands are in need of TLC before fall and winter weather sets in. Following are some scheduled clean-ups and stewardship projects that would appreciate volunteer assistance.

    Arlington Reservoir Clean-up

    Saturday, September 26,
    9 am – 12 noon

    The Arlington Reservoir Committee has scheduled a clean-up of the Wildlife Habitat Garden and surrounding areas of the Reservoir off Lowell Street. Bring your own tools (such as wheelbarrow, rakes, spades, loppers, clippers, gloves, etc.) and help tame the overgrown grasses and invasive plants in and around the garden. Members of the committee will be on hand to direct newcomers and welcome veteran volunteers to help prepare the garden for the winter.

    Arlington’s Great Meadows
    Boardwalk Repair

    Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows is organizing boardwalk repair activities during September. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and construction requirements, the Friends have assembled all the needed materials and have prepared an instructional video. You will be guided on what tools to bring with you and asked to form small teams of family or friends to work together. To learn more about how to participate in these boardwalk repair projects, email David White. 

    Note that demolition work at the former nursing home next to Arlington’s Great Meadows in East Lexington is about half done, and currently there is no AGM access from that property. Instead, follow a nearby access path about halfway behind the Emerson Gardens complex off Maple Street in Lexington. It’s marked with an AGM post and a no dumping sign. Please park on the main Emerson Gardens Road, not in the resident parking areas. Alternatively, you can park behind the Waldorf School on Mass Ave. in East Lexington or follow the Minuteman Bikeway to AGM.

    Spy Pond Park Work Day

    Saturday, October 17, 8-10 am
    (rain date Sunday, October 18,
    8-10 am)

    The Friends of Spy Pond Park will hold their final work day of 2020 to undertake such tasks as removing grass between the cobblestones lining the path through the park and weeding the planting beds, pulling invasive plants, picking up litter, and grooming the tot lot. Meet near the boat ramp at 40 Pond Lane.
    Volunteers must register in advance and liability waivers are required for all participants. Please download the waiver form from the FSPP website, fill it out completely, sign it (parental signature for under 18 yrs.), and send a scan or photo of it to fspp@friendsofspypondpark.org by 6 p.m. the Friday before the scheduled Work Day.

  • ZBA Begins Hearings on Thorndike Place

    The Town of Arlington Zoning Board of Appeals met on Tuesday, August 25, following several summer postponements, and reconvened the public hearing on the Comprehensive Permit for Thorndike Place, the name of the proposed 40B housing project on the Mugar property in East Arlington. 

    This was the first of many hearings that have been scheduled through the fall to address specific aspects of the complicated permitting process. The next meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 7:30 pm, to discuss critical wetland impacts and stormwater management. 

    Subsequent meeting dates and topics are tentatively scheduled as follows:

    • Oct 27 – General civil engineering matters
    • Nov 10 – Traffic flow and safety
    • Nov 24 – Architecture, landscape architecture and open space, plus density and overall design
    • Dec 8 – Pro forma review
    • Dec 22 – Conditions review and discussion

    Previous project documents dating to 2016 and recent updates and correspondence are posted on the ZBA website.

    The Land Trust will continue to monitor and report on the ZBA hearings and input from other Town groups including the Conservation Commission. Stay tuned!