Boston’s long-awaited update to zoning regulations for the downtown area is expected to face further scrutiny after a last-minute decision to remove the proposal from the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) board’s agenda.
Originally scheduled for discussion, the plan aims to strike a balance between preserving the historic character of downtown Boston and accommodating denser new developments that would address the city’s housing needs.
Key elements of the proposed changes include the allowance of skyscrapers up to 700 feet in height in designated areas and easing restrictions on converting office spaces to residential uses.
However, on Tuesday evening, BPDA planning chief Kairos Shen announced that the agency would take additional time to refine the plan, emphasizing a commitment to thoroughness over sticking to a predetermined timeline.
“We want to get the plan right,” Shen stated. “We’re choosing to take a little more time to get this right, rather than just sort of stick to a timeline that was ours in the making anyway.”
The zoning amendment is now expected to be presented to the BPDA board in September.
This revision is part of PLAN: Downtown, a comprehensive strategy adopted by the board approximately a year and a half ago, which has yet to be formalized into city code.
The planning area includes key locations such as the Financial District, Downtown Crossing, and prominent sites along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, stretching from Tremont Street to Arlington Street, and extending to Tufts Medical Center.
With easy access to an MBTA subway station for every line and the Silver Line bus, this central part of Boston is not only bustling with economic activity but also rich in historical significance, housing sites along the Freedom Trail, including the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House.
As Boston reconciles its growth post-COVID-19, the evolution of downtown’s regulations is crucial and closely monitored by city leaders, residents, and preservation advocates.
Molly Donahue of the Boston Preservation Alliance voiced her concerns in a recent public meeting about the implications of allowing Planned Development Areas (PDAs).
She criticized the proposal for lacking a comprehensive analysis of its potential impacts on Boston’s significant cultural and historical sites.
Another layer of complexity arises from existing state shadow laws and federal airspace regulations that govern building heights in the downtown area.
These laws have often been subject to interpretation during development reviews, previously exemplified by the 2017 amendments made during the construction of Winthrop Center.
Former Governor Charlie Baker altered shadow laws to accommodate this development at the behest of then-Mayor Martin J. Walsh, despite opposition from several community advocates, including then-City Council President Michelle Wu.
Criticism regarding changes to shadow law continues, particularly from organizations like the Friends of the Public Garden, which oversee many iconic parks in Boston.
Despite the city’s assurances that the proposed zoning would clarify building regulations downtown, board chair Leslie Adam expressed disappointment over the lack of commitment in protecting the Boston Common from increased shadow impact.
“The proposed zoning would allow for incremental shadow impacts that would leave the Common ‘significantly shadowed’ during much of the year,” she commented, emphasizing the historic significance of the Common as America’s oldest park.
Meanwhile, Rishi Shukla, cofounder of the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association, shared that a coalition of downtown stakeholders has been in dialogue with city officials to address any concerns.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to shape the heart of Boston,” Shukla expressed. “We’ve always been committed to working with the administration and other stakeholders to get this right. That remains true.”
The delay in discussions reflects the city’s objective to ensure that any proposed changes align with the diverse needs of Boston’s community while also balancing development ambitions against heritage preservation.
image source from：bostonglobe
