[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6159793,"mediaKeyId","5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4","parentId",5452562,"title","Needham Planning Board votes to study rezoning of Great Plain Avenue and to \"unlock\" Charles River corridor","audioSeconds",867,"startMs",4954000,"endMs",5821000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4&start=4954&end=5821","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4/thumbnail_4954000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159793/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Planning-Board-votes-to-study-rezoning-of-Great-Plain-Avenue-and-to-unlock-Charles-River-corridor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159793-cb3b3f374b5db6818885084a96afb7ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1775446140&Signature=ikJ7CClFj5~igP7HbZM5aZuASQnfc6LYvQfqxpQ5ZhK-X8MyJz51uLWUEG9bCETcUQFCmVtJfE1XRAmCUXVtnyDLQId6T5zBa79ufE7WG~qfWJDiCVtSK7m2QgRI-utyUUkDQdwnPP-QfUKHDP~x4dYYn7pj1bUiiKbcDmYgzIrHr~etdZbUXQwIBcLAPAyyvVa8GXJpFd2mPa40-xZEf3egMyKJKe~ds0YjXUjbL1Q0fL8-PgYL~tCwnay5CXh0LxorkLGhphxtzpYd4cjjPpBnaU959mExYWLgyPCKmmWTfe4yG-UAeo2UszED9A-9DskujpCNhxROpezS-Hue7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-07-23T14:47:19Z","article","The Needham Planning Board voted July 22 to begin formal studies of two zoning initiatives: (1) rezoning Great Plain Avenue from Warren Street to Linden Street (the board expanded the study area to include Chapel Street and the area around town hall), and (2) a separate study to “unlock” the Charles River corridor — a rezoning review of the area between the highway and the Charles River from Highland Avenue to Central Avenue.

Adam [surname not specified], a planning board member, moved both measures; the motions were seconded and carried by unanimous recorded votes. Voting members recorded on the motions were Justin [surname not specified] (Aye), Eric [surname not specified] (Aye), Adam (Aye), Natasha [surname not specified] (Aye) and Chair Artie Crocker (Aye).

Why it matters: board members described both efforts as near‑term planning priorities that could shape downtown revitalization, commercial mix and housing options. The studies are intended to be iterative and carried out during regular board meetings, with staff and consultants involved as needed and a clear public engagement plan.

What the board directed
- Scope and process: board members said the studies will be managed by the planning board within regular meeting time (board members proposed 20–30 minutes per meeting for the work), with a work‑back schedule and publicly posted agendas. The Great Plain study will focus on defining boundaries first and then consider zoning changes; Chapel Street will be included in the Great Plain study area at the board’s amendment.
- Public engagement: the board asked for community meetings, targeted outreach to business and neighborhood stakeholders, and periodic briefings to the Select Board and Finance Committee as the studies progress.
- Technical work: the board said consultants will be engaged when necessary — for example, fiscal‑impact and traffic analyses — timed to support public hearings and informed decisions.

Relationship to other work
Board members noted the Stephen Palmer/Greensfield study (a separate committee with consultant engagement) will run in parallel; the planning board intends to coordinate the Great Plain and Charles corridor work with the Stephen Palmer review so zoning recommendations align where appropriate. Planning staff indicated the Stephen Palmer process will begin work in September with consultant support and aim for recommendations in the spring.

Next steps and schedule
The board agreed to develop a work plan and meeting agenda items in upcoming packets; members said the process will move in bite‑sized phases with public hearings when the planning board has draft zoning language to propose.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Board 07/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Needham Planning Board voted July 22 to study rezoning of Great Plain Avenue and to explore zoning changes to enable redevelopment along the Charles River corridor.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159798,"Greystar previews 189-unit, transit-oriented plan for 100 West Street in Needham Heights",2094,741000,2835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4&start=741&end=2835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6159798/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Greystar-previews-189-unit-transit-oriented-plan-for-100-West-Street-in-Needham-Heights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159798-a031c005ccf705bc97febb85c5cf1c37/orig.mp4?Expires=1775446140&Signature=Sm04APiuCaZQc2uIkdYRneOrGcDWZlIVnzZ-TWd2ut~4td7w7td22iekCxnZTxJF7UK2kWI8JNVQF3yBbXOQi0S4me-Yhx64ryQKipYY6KNilZ0JVlSy3YJXLZAr~QbFcjz6hBGoy6mh~zsC9~4sGxeGBH8PgLwOfNlVdxS48pynd-TqSOelgMa66sZeUXu4IU1CErkAfXnhvOTefolnbfaewbLOzfcFDu0VXZsf3tkTw0wc8i3ZZNV955yF4uA~YpcB~ZmN09YvcQn7FtrQ4Q4z9CPjgf1vQ7QVMG-9D82phwdflKTwBl65PtUhQCoS9QynUTpPjw7r6Wgwq3T1ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Needham Planning Board members heard a preliminary presentation July 22 from Greystar and project attorneys about a proposed, as‑of‑right multifamily project at 100 West Street in Needham Heights. Tim Sullivan, attorney with Goulston & Storrs, told the board the site is owned by Welltower and that Greystar is performing due diligence and expects to file a site‑plan application next month.

The plan as presented calls for a three‑story, wood‑frame building with 189 apartment units (15% studios, 40% one‑bedrooms, 35% two‑bedrooms, 10% three‑bedrooms) and 189 surface parking spaces (a one‑to‑one parking ratio). Ryan Soule, Senior Director of Development for Greystar, said the team is pursuing “direct unit entry” on Highland Avenue and West Street to activate the streetscape and plans two courtyard areas: a narrow, public‑facing courtyard on Highland and a larger, resident‑facing courtyard in the rear.

Why it matters: the site sits inside the MBTA Communities‑zoning area around Needham Heights station and has been identified in regional planning as a location for transit‑oriented housing. Board members and the applicant emphasized walkability and compatibility with nearby single‑family neighborhoods, and Greystar said the design will respect a 110‑foot residential setback to the south.

Key details presented
- Ownership and team: Welltower (owner); Greystar (developer/operator); Tim Sullivan (attorney, Goulston & Storrs); Tim Bernard (Greystar director); Will Harned (Greystar associate); Ryan Soule (Greystar Boston development lead).
- Units/parking: 189 units; 189 parking spaces (surface parking, 1:1 ratio).
- Building: three stories, wood‑frame construction, massing broken into two visual volumes to reduce the long façade.
- Streetscape and access: existing curb cuts on Highland and West would be maintained and modified; direct‑entry units proposed to animate the street.
- Open space/amenities: a public‑facing courtyard on Highland, a rear residential courtyard, and a green buffer within the 110‑foot single‑family setback; possible small playground and dog area were discussed.
- Sustainability: Greystar said it is examining compliance with Needham’s stretch/“specialized” energy code pathways (including Passive House or an alternate performance path) and planning to be “solar ready”; the team said cost, resident affordability and evolving technology will shape final measures.
- Timeline: Greystar said it hopes to submit a formal site‑plan application next month and to move through review in September–November with a January construction start as an objective.

Outstanding issues and next steps
Board members asked about traffic, curb‑cut circulation and coordination with MBTA zone‑of‑influence rules; Greystar said a traffic study and site‑circulation analysis are in progress and will be submitted with the site‑plan application. The MBTA setback was flagged; the team said most of the existing structure lies outside the MBTA zone and that they do not expect extensive MBTA approval hurdles but will coordinate as the design advances.

No formal approvals were requested or taken at the July 22 meeting. Greystar told the board it will return with detailed plans, traffic and sustainability documentation and community‑outreach events as the application proceeds.","Greystar and owner Welltower presented an as‑of‑right, three‑story, 189‑unit apartment proposal for the 100 West Street site to the Needham Planning Board; developers plan to file next month and to pursue sustainability measures while traffic and design details are refined through the site‑plan process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159788,"Needham Planning Board approves several site decisions, including 1407 Central Avenue and Wingate; town accepts traffic contributions and releases $195,000 bond",2838,121000,2959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4&start=121&end=2959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452562-b1f5842a1c0f1d0da6c5f1e2b4e7a3b4/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6159788/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Planning-Board-approves-several-site-decisions-including-1407-Central-Avenue-and-Wingate-town-accepts-traffic-contributions-and-releases-195000-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159788-0c22b259823008cdf294bad530517d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775446140&Signature=ZhQ1BObbhE07wBh4gdEZhH2l1awjlEVPLPGVo~IHIVJjRTO4Vt9RBf3UnswNx9ZtrZ2uz0tvPc3AZqoFi3JVlNOqVc8rzSK~qvo4RvLlX~8LG87jzrY86oWJs~QjXNiq9PVOhX8ygX9M1V4zFuwpTY-CGRMdZcR0GmuELf4yv9epibnbs9vpRXKJlMa-sEUB-wFvKhPgxO8QDXsnf174UhS6HsA~MQeBuEbonuZRH-rNwpHzPszKx6P6iZ9x-0CY2QXGw8yn1vslPyo7s0I0aMcj~V69U7zzOR-HctsOy6JGZA1d6YsBujgkhwoFOVnX08sI1-Lirh8OmHbygI59Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Planning Board on July 22 approved a slate of land‑use decisions and a bond release for completed subdivision work.

1407 Central Avenue (Jack Cogswell Building)
The board voted to grant the relief requested for the Jack Cogswell Building (referred to in the record as 1407 Central Avenue) and to approve the decision as drafted. A motion by Adam [surname not specified] referenced approval under the Needham zoning bylaw’s major project site plan review — specifically section 7.4 and section 4.2 of the original major project site plan special permit (2013‑02 dated 04/02/2013) as previously amended (multiple amendment dates were read into the record). The board voted aye on the motion; recorded yes votes included Justin [surname not specified], Eric [surname not specified], Adam, Natasha [surname not specified] and Chair Artie Crocker.

Wingate property
A previously paused decision on the Wingate property was taken up after Planning Board member Natasha arrived. The board approved the relief requested for the Wingate plan as identified in the decision; Eric indicated earlier he could not vote on the matter because he had not been present for the earlier presentation. The board recorded the vote as aye by the present voting members and acknowledged Eric’s earlier statement that he could not vote on that item.

Children’s Hospital contribution and monitoring condition
The board approved a decision for a Children’s Hospital application that, as presented, allows the town to use $30,000 for traffic improvements at an intersection of the town’s choice and requires the applicant to fund a three‑year monitoring program beginning at the occupancy permit; the board also recognized that a $25,000 contribution fulfills the condition for a signal‑warrant analysis at Kendrick Street. Planning staff summarized the condition language as part of the approved decision.

Sunrise Tenry Terrace bond release
The board voted to release a $195,000 performance bond for the Sunrise Tenry Terrace subdivision. Planning staff reported that engineering inspections were complete and that the Department of Public Works recommended release of the $195,000 bond while retaining an off‑street drainage bond for the subdivision.

Votes and procedure
Motions to grant relief and approve decisions were made and seconded on the record; roll calls recorded unanimous aye votes among the present voting members on each approval (Eric abstained or indicated he could not vote on items he had not been present for). The board’s votes and references to bylaw sections were taken from the decisions as read into the record; the decisions themselves will be finalized and signed following the board’s standard signature process.

What the board did not do
No new conditions were invented in the meeting record; technical items such as traffic study results and detailed landscape plans were left to the site‑plan submission and permit files where required. The board did not set specific construction dates at the meeting.","The board approved multiple site decisions on July 22: the Jack Cogswell/1407 Central Avenue major project decision, the Wingate site decision, and a Children’s Hospital decision that includes traffic funding and monitoring requirements. The board also voted to release a $195,000 performance bond for Sunrise Tenry Terrace.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham Planning Board votes to study rezoning of Great Plain Avenue and to "unlock" Charles River corridor

Greystar previews 189-unit, transit-oriented plan for 100 West Street in Needham Heights

Needham Planning Board approves several site decisions, including 1407 Central Avenue and Wingate; town accepts traffic contributions and releases $195,000 bond