Possible Changes Coming to Pleasant St. Zoning, Watertown Planning Board

Residents of the West Side of Watertown have complained loudly about numerous projects proposed (and usually approved) along the Pleasant Street Corridor and the Town Council has heard their displeasure. The Council will revisit the zoning rules for the area.

One member of the Planning Board who has voted against more than one project may not be back for another term, however. 

On March 28 the Council's Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee interviewed two members of the Planning Board - Neal Corbett and Linda Tuttle-Barletta - and Zoning Board member Suneeth John. They then voted on whether to reappointment them. 

During the disucssions, all three mentioned that they do not like the way that the Pleasant Street Corridor zoning works. Special rules were put in place by the Town Council to encourage new building projects or redevelopment of current buildings. 

Unlike most areas of town, a special permit request for a development in the Pleasant Street Corridor does not need to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals, but rather just requires the OK from the Planning Board. 

Some feel the process is not fair, accoring to the subcommittee, because only the Planning Board votes on the special permits, and the board is smaller than the Zoning Board and has no alternates members to fill in for absent members.

Most of the projects proposed and approved in the area, which also includes Waltham Street, are large housing projects. Some have over 200 units, while others had fewer than 20. The latest, a 14-unit condo building at 192 Pleasant Street, was rejected when it failed to get the two-thirds majority when one Planning Board member was absent and another voted against it.

Tuttle-Barletta, who voted no, was interviewed by the Town Council subcommittee, which is made up of Chairman John Donohue, Vice Chariman Steve Corbett and Secretary Susan Falkoff. 

She told the subcommitte that, "she sees herself as often representing the voice of the neighbors," according to the meeting minutes.

The subcommittee approved Neal Corbett's reappointment to the Planning Board and John's reappointment to the Zoning Board, but did not vote on Tuttle-Barletta.

According to the meeting minutes, Donohue "questioned the number of No votes she has cast, particularly on Pleasant Street." He expressed concern about her reappointment, and Steve Corbett said he wanted to do more research into Tuttle-Barletta's record, according to the minutes. The vote was tabled.

Re-examining Pleasant Street Zoning

On Monday, the Town Council heard the report and decided to look into the zoning in the Pleasant Street Corridor.

Councilor Kenneth Woodland, who represents the West Side of town, welcomed the move.

"I am happy to see the issue revisited. A lot of residents have brought it up to me," Woodland said. "I think changes could benefit the West Side."

The Council voted to send the issue of special permitting in the Pleasant Street Corridor back to the Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee for more study.