Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves $132,469 transportation study for Chestnut Hill commercial area after months of debate
Summary
The Brookline Select Board approved a contract with Kittelson & Associates for phases 1–2 of a transportation study of the Chestnut Hill commercial area, authorizing $132,469 despite concerns from one board member about timing and prioritization of consultant spending.
The Brookline Select Board voted to approve contract PW 25-34 with Kittelson & Associates for phases 1 and 2 of a Chestnut Hill commercial area transportation study, authorizing $132,469 in consulting funds.
Supporters said the study will deliver a final report with recommendations, implementation measures and, if appropriate, a rezoning proposal and design guidelines that link transportation capacity analysis to possible changes in allowable density. Meredith Mooney, Brookline's economic development director, told the board the scope was included in the Chestnut Hill commercial area project the board approved in November 2023 and that the study was intended to review existing conditions, infrastructure capacity, pedestrian and bike safety, connectivity and redevelopment scenarios. "The final deliverable for this project is a report that includes a set of recommendations and implementation measures," Mooney said during the meeting.
Dissenting board member John Van Schaoyeck said he was concerned the transportation capacity study could be premature because two town-led processes — the Chestnut Hill working group and an EDAB (Economic Development Advisory Board) subcommittee — could reach different conclusions about future development. Van Schaoyeck urged the board to require clearer departmental justification for consultant contracts and to identify outside funding sources and potential future obligations before spending operational funds on consultant work.
Town staff, including Mooney and transportation staff, said phase 1 (existing-conditions data collection) would provide information that helps shape zoning and that phase 2 would develop infrastructure recommendations tied to the area's vision. Chaz (Town Administrator) said the study timeline would run roughly seven months and that phase 1 data would sharpen community input and rezoning work.
The motion to approve the contract passed 4–1. John Van Schaoyeck voted no. Michael Sandman, Paul Warren, David Perlman and Chair Bernard Green voted yes.
The vote authorizes the town to proceed with phases 1 and 2 with Kittelson; board members and staff said the study is intended to inform rezoning options, traffic improvements on Route 9 and design guidelines that could be presented for town meeting action or other approvals.
The board and staff emphasized that Route 9 is under state control (MassDOT) and that any recommendations affecting the state-owned corridor would require coordination with MassDOT and neighboring Newton.
