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Boston: Planning Advances New Zoning for Small Clean Energy Infrastructure

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The newly approved development proposals will create 329 new homes, including 137 that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 359 construction jobs and two permanent jobs. The projects advanced today will help make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.

The BPDA Board also swore in Felicia Jacques as their fifth and final member. Jacques is the first Black woman to serve on the Board.

Planning & Zoning

New zoning for Small Clean Energy Infrastructure moves forward

In compliance with Massachusetts law, Planning advanced new zoning and a new permitting pathway for Small Clean Energy Infrastructure. This new zoning establishes a 'Consolidated Local Permitting process' in line with State law and Boston's own climate resiliency goals, in an effort to transition our energy sources to be fully electric in the coming years. The new zoning also introduces regulations on dimensions and use for Battery Energy Storage Systems. This zoning will now need to be approved by the Boston Zoning Commission.

The State is requiring cities and towns to provide this opt-in consolidated permitting process for this type of infrastructure by October 1, 2026, aligning with the energy resilience goals of Boston's 2030 Climate Action Plan and our goals of reducing carbon emissions by 2050. This kind of infrastructure can include things like solar panels, wind energy turbines, battery energy storage, and short energy transmission lines.

Development Projects

Project at 1590 Blue Hill Avenue to build fully affordable housing development in Mattapan

Housing: 105 income-restricted units

Jobs: Approximately 113 construction jobs

Community: Community commercial space, bike parking

Sustainability: Passive House, fully electric building, rooftop solar

What is currently an auto repair shop will be demolished and turned into 105 new income-restricted homes. The six-story building will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, advancing the housing creation goals of the City's 2030 Housing Plan and PLAN: Mattapan. As part of its mitigation, the project will create wider sidewalks and new landscaping on site. This project also complies fully with both the zoning and goals of PLAN: Mattapan. The overarching goals of the Plan included creating a neighborhood where the existing residents are stable in their homes and new residents have affordable housing options. This fully income-restricted project helps to advance these goals.

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New homeownership opportunities to be built at 14-18 Hannon Street in Dorchester

Housing: 24 homeownership units, four income-restricted units

Jobs: Approximately 26 construction jobs

Community: Public realm improvements, bike parking, new street trees

Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon

This project in Dorchester will demolish a vacant building and bring 24 new homeownership units to the neighborhood. Four of these new homes will be income-restricted. The five-story building will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This project will improve the public realm with wider sidewalks on site. The project also plans to contribute $6,600 to the Boston Transportation Department to support the bikeshare system.

New housing coming to 45 Townsend Street in Roxbury

Housing: 165 residential units, 22 income-restricted units

Jobs: Approximately 169 construction jobs

Community: Public realm improvements, community room

Sustainability: Adaptive reuse of existing buildings

This project will convert what was formerly the Jewish Memorial Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and later the Radius Specialty Hospital, into new housing in Roxbury. The two currently vacant medical buildings will become 165 homes, 22 of which will be income-restricted. The project will either contribute $49,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system, or install a bikeshare dock on site. In addition, the project will include new open space for residents.

350 West Fourth Street project to build new homes in South Boston

Housing: 35 homeownership units, six income-restricted units

Jobs: Approximately 51 construction jobs

Community: Public realm improvements, new street trees

Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon

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Located in South Boston, this project will construct a new four-story multi-family building with 35 units. Six of these units will be income-restricted. The units will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. The project will improve the public realm with wider sidewalks and nine new street trees. In addition, the project will also contribute $12,375 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.

In addition to these projects, the Board approved:
  • An update to a previously approved project at 2 Shawsheen Road in East Boston to increase the amount of units, and change the buildings from homeownership to rental.
  • The renewal and extension of the Institutional Master Plan for Brigham and Women's Hospital.
  • The extension of a lease for MassRobotics at 12 Channel Street in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, which will expand their operations to include another floor of the building.

About the Planning Department

The City of Boston's Planning Department shapes growth that serves Boston's residents and centers their needs. Our mission is to address our City's greatest challenges: resilience, affordability, and equity, and to take real estate actions and prioritize planning, development, and urban design solutions that further these priorities. We seek to build trust with communities through transparent processes that embrace predictable growth and shape a more inclusive city for all. Learn more at bostonplans.org, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BostonPlans.
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