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Council requests traffic control plan for 463'473 Gorman Street after MBTA Communities development raises parking concerns
Summary
Councilors asked the city manager and property department for a traffic-control and parking mitigation plan after councilors and residents flagged a proposed MBTA Communities development that would provide far fewer parking spaces than dwelling units.
Councilors asked the city manager and the property department to produce a traffic-control plan and parking mitigation options for the 463'473 Gorman Street development after multiple members raised concerns that the project, within an MBTA Communities zoning overlay, proposes substantially fewer parking spaces than units.
Councilor Getcha introduced the request and Councilor Scott seconded it. Councilors described the site as a small lot near a busy intersection and said the MBTA Communities overlay and the council's prior zoning changes allowed multifamily construction with reduced parking requirements.
Why it matters: The project was cited as one of the first developments in the MBTA Communities District; councilors said a 39-unit project with 13 parking spots creates neighborhood parking pressure and potential traffic-safety issues at an already congested connector.
What was said at the meeting
- Councilor Getcha questioned the practical meaning of the MBTA overlay text that allows "parking at a rate of up to 1 space per dwelling unit" and noted the project lacks accessible ADA-compliant connections described in the overlay. - Councilor Scott and other members said the listing of 13 parking spaces for 39 units appeared to be "one third" of the needed rate and would exacerbate existing neighborhood disputes over on-street parking. - Some councilors advised caution about commenting while the project proceeds through the planning board and land use channels; others said the ordinance should be revisited going forward to avoid repeated conflicts. - City solicitor's office staff and other administration representatives said their office would look into legal questions and report back; manager's office staff said they would prepare the requested report.
Supporting details
- Councilors cited the MBTA Communities Act's aim to allow housing but noted the council had adopted overlay zoning that reduced parking requirements on the administration's recommendation. - Several councilors asked staff for mitigation strategies and a formal report on what the city could do short-term and on future ordinance revisions.
Ending
Staff agreed to prepare a traffic-control and parking mitigation report for the council; members signaled interest in pursuing ordinance amendments if recurring projects produce unintended neighborhood impacts.
