Developer presents adaptive-reuse plan for former Maimonides school; neighbors press for public path and green space

At a public hearing on Warrant Article 7, petitioners seeking a Clark Road multifamily overlay district described plans to convert the former Maimonides school at 2 Clark Road into about 35 rental units (predominantly one- and two-bedroom units) and to build four townhouses on an adjoining lot. The project would include a limited parking footprint (about one space per unit) and an inclusionary zoning commitment that would place affordable units on-site where zoning requires.

Developer representative Jeffrey Allen said the proposal emphasizes adaptive reuse, modest unit sizes aimed at workforce housing, and landscape improvements. He told the board the design would preserve the existing structure where possible, add limited rooftop units set back from edges, and increase greenspace. “This is the least disruptive use,” Allen said, adding that unit sizes are capped in the proposed zoning to prevent conversion into luxury units.

Neighbors and advocates supported parts of the plan but pressed for commitments on public amenities. David Porter, a resident across Clark Road, thanked planners and requested the developer and town secure a permanent public access path between Clark Road and Philbrick Road and protect a small play area currently used informally by families. The Brookline Green Space Alliance and advisory land-use committee members urged that the town consider adding trees and creating a small public amenity or linear park in the parcel sometimes called CRM 2 (the smaller lot proposed for townhouses).

Planning staff told the board that the overlay language has been tightened to memorialize unit sizes, stepbacks, and other constraints on the large building; the planning department also explained that inclusionary zoning rules allow an option for cash-in-lieu for very small townhouse pockets (four units). Maria Morelli, senior planner, said ownership-versus-rental cannot be regulated through zoning, but that unit-size caps in the overlay were intended to produce smaller, workforce-style apartments.

The public hearing closed after several speakers and an advisory subcommittee review; board members asked planning and land-use subcommittee reports to be included in future consideration. No Select Board vote on the rezoning was taken at this meeting.

Ending: The matter will proceed through the planning and advisory review process; the board signaled close attention to neighborhood access, tree canopy and the treatment of the small play area, and asked for more detailed plans from planning staff and petitioners before any zoning vote.