Milton
Neighbors for
Responsible
Zoning
Article 1 is not an affordable housing initiative. A 10% affordability requirement for new projects is too low and should be raised. Importantly, the article also does not require mandatory contributions to the town’s affordable housing trusts for qualifying low unit projects. We should do more to incentivize affordable development in town.
Over half of the zoned capacity is concentrated in the East Milton and Granite Ave. subdistricts: two areas of town with a high amount of preexisting through traffic. The DPW/Heritage Hall site, located across the street from Thistle Ave. and Courtland Cir., is zoned for a net addition of 530 multifamily units. If realized, this zoning would permit a campus of several, multi-story buildings packed into a dangerous stretch of Granite Ave virtually inaccessible to public transportation. This development would not only have devastating traffic implications, but it would permanently alter the quality of life of neighboring residents.
Although the height restriction of 2.5 stories limits building size in East Milton, there is no provision in Article 1 to prevent a loss of existing commercial space. Milton’s residents deserve development that preserves existing commercial installations and expands our commercial tax base.
The fiscal analysis commissioned by the Planning Board has not been completed. Town Meeting members and elected officials deserve to understand the fiscal impact of Article 1 on town departments and public services before making an informed decision.
Any rapid transit designation should not rely purely on convention, bureaucratic fare policy, or arbitrary categorization. Instead, Milton’s transit categorization by the EOHLC and the MBTA should be based on an analysis of the existing physical characteristics and operational ability of the Mattapan Line as well as a detailed comparison of the Mattapan Line to other transit systems within the MBTA network. Town officials need more time to explore these nuances and pursue legal relief from EOHLC’s “rapid transit” mandate. Milton has a historic trolley— it’s not rapid transit! Reclassification as an "Adjacent Community" would result in a 60% reduction in the number of units from 2,461 to 984.
No comprehensive traffic study involving the proposed zoning districts has been completed. A traffic study would assist town officials in ensuring the best distribution of proposed units.
Article 1 lacks meaningful protections to ensure that future development respects the visual identity and unique character of existing neighborhoods in Milton. If given more time, town officials could craft binding design guidelines that promote a harmonious relationship between the existing neighborhood fabric and new construction.