More Details Emerge on Proposed Waltham Development

More details for the proposed development at the intersection of Main and Moody streets emerged during a Monday, March 11 City Council meeting.

Northland Moody Street LLC has proposed a three-building development that would include residential units, two banks and two retail spaces. The developer has requested a special permit for the site that, if approved, would allow it to have temporary structures during construction, parking within 200 feet of a church and four drive-thru lanes for the banks. It would also increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for the site. FAR governs how much floor space a home can have relative to its lot size.

The special permit request was referred to the Rules & Ordinance Committee for further review.  

SITE SPECIFICATIONS (Source: Attorney Robert Connors. He represents the developer and presented the specifications to the public during the meeting).

• The development would include the construction of three new buildings.
• The three buildings would house 269 residential units, 27,000 square feet of retail space in two separate portions, Citizens Bank and Sovereign Bank, both of which are already at the site.
• "By coming in here ... we hope that this brings vitality back to this area,” Connors said.
• Under the plan, 1 Moody Street, which currently houses Sovereign Bank, would be torn down. Both banks would move to temporary spaces.
• Approximately 392 parking spaces would be installed at the site, with around 300 in a new underground two-story garage.
• Building A would house Citizens Bank and approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor.
• Building B would house Sovereign Bank on the first floor along with approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space and 118 residential units above it. Building C would contain only residential units.
• Main Street sidewalks near the site would be widened from 8 feet to 15 – 17 feet.
• Under the proposal, the existing eight driveways would be reduced to four.
• Connors did not specify which retail businesses would move into the site. He did not rule out restaurants for the site and said the developer is looking for "small shops."

 RECEPTION

• Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Peacock hailed the project saying it would benefit the city’s economy.
• “It also offers quite a number of jobs,” Peacock said referring to permanent jobs and construction positions.
• Laborers International Union Business of North America Business Manager Paul Pavone called on the developers to hire union members to work at the site. Connors said the developer was already whether to hire local laborers.
• City Councillor Edmund Tarallo expressed several traffic concerns, including the traffic impact the project would have on the Waltham Public Library. Specifically, Tarallo said it could send more traffic down Spring Street.
• “I think that we need to understand a little bit more about what’s happening at Main and Spring,” said Tarallo, who requested his issues be addressed by the developers.
• The Traffic Commission, in December, approved the developer's traffic plans which include a new bus stop and eight new parking spaces (with meters) among other things.
• In total, the site would generate 130 new vehicle trips during the weekday morning peak hours, 210 trips uring the weekday evening peak hours and 335 during the Saturday peak hours, according to Traffic Commission minutes.