Forest Hills Initiative Presentation Revised Version

Forest Hills Improvement InitiativeForest Hills Improvement Initiative

Beginning in October 2006, a working group of area residents led the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative and guided the City of Boston and the MBTA’s planning efforts.

The vision and principles came from community feedback provided over the course of 10 community meetings between 2006 and 2008.

• ParticipantsParticipants

• History of Community Planning Process

• Scope of Proposed Project

• Community Vision

• Next Steps

The Road AheadThe Road Ahead

Consensus

Participants in Forest Hills Task ForceParticipants in Forest Hills Task Force

City Agencies:Office of Neighborhood Services

Greater Forest Hills Area Task Force

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Boston Transportation Department

Boston Parks and Recreation Department

Department of Conservation and Recreation

Community ResidentsCommunity Residents

Community OrganizationsCommunity Organizations

Area BusinessesArea Businesses

• Participants

• History of Community Planning ProcessHistory of Community Planning Process



• Next Steps


History of Community Planning ProcessHistory of Community Planning Process

• Ten meetings held between 2006 and 2008.

• Several hundred community residents participated in process

• Meetings were interactive in nature and employed a mix of presentations, breakout groups, and discussion summations.

• Findings were summarized at end of each meeting and used to build

upon subsequent meetings.• BRA utilized input to develop final

“Community Vision.”

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

Goals & Outcomes:Goals & Outcomes:A community vision for the Forest Hills station area that guides and promotesThe best possible residential and business growth, and open space preservation.

• Participants


• Scope of Proposed ProjectScope of Proposed Project


• Next Steps


Arborway Yards

Not included in this presentation

Fitzgerald Parking Lot

MBTA Parcel S

Parking Lot

MBTA Parcel W

MBTA Parcel V MBTA Parcel U

Map of Study AreaMap of Study Area

Fitzgerald Parking LotFitzgerald Parking LotA mix of residential, retail, commercial and community space.

Proposed Housing: 135 Units

2.31 Acres100,477 Sq. Ft.

MBTA Parcel S (Parking Lot)MBTA Parcel S (Parking Lot)

A mix of commercial, office, institutional, retail, community uses, and commuter parking.

3.16 Acres137,662 Sq. Ft.

MBTA Parcels U, V, & WMBTA Parcels U, V, & W

MBTA Parcel UMBTA Parcel U

Hyde Park Avenue &

Ukraine Way

A mix of residential, retail, and community uses.

Proposed Housing: 120 Units

2.82 Acres122,799 Sq. Ft.

Parcel W: WCI is in negotiations with a national grocer chain to possibly open up a store that will occupy approximately 8,000 – 10.000 square feet of space.

Retail Uses

WCI is actively exploring incorporating a number of green and sustainable building elements into the project.

WCI has engaged the services of a traffic consultant who worked with the BRA during the community planning process.

Additional Comments

Provide space for local commercial businesses to support area community needs and as an anchor use for district.

Commercial Uses

Current plans by developer do not call for housing although this is subject to change.

Residential Uses

WCI Corp. has been designated developer. Filed project forms with BRA in December 2009.

Disposition Status

22,975 SF / 0.53 Acres58,541 SF / 1.34 Acres

Parcel VParcel W MBTA Parcels V & WMBTA Parcels V & W

Information current as of February 1, 2010

MBTA Parcel WMBTA Parcel W1.34 Acres58,541 SF

MBTA Parcel VMBTA Parcel V

0.53 Acres22,975 SF

• Participants



• Community VisionCommunity Vision

• Next Steps


Community VisionCommunity Vision

Vibrant Mixed Use DistrictVibrant Mixed Use District

Improved Traffic PatternsImproved Traffic Patterns

Community OrientationCommunity Orientation

Green/Sustainable DevelopmentGreen/Sustainable Development

Green Space AssetsGreen Space Assets

The Forest Hills Coalition developed a “Community Vision” that incorporated the following elements:


Improvements will increase the number and range of local retail Improvements will increase the number and range of local retail and service businesses and community uses for area residents and service businesses and community uses for area residents while recognizing area commuters also contribute to local while recognizing area commuters also contribute to local businesses.businesses.

New residential development should add to the existing mix of New residential development should add to the existing mix of rental and ownership housing in the area.rental and ownership housing in the area.

Affordable rental and ownership housing, services and programs Affordable rental and ownership housing, services and programs for the elderly, and facilities and programs for youth are for the elderly, and facilities and programs for youth are particularly important.particularly important.

50% of new housing on public land and 30% on private land be 50% of new housing on public land and 30% on private land be permanently affordable.permanently affordable.

Priority to locally-based businesses that strengthen, and not Priority to locally-based businesses that strengthen, and not displace, current businesses.displace, current businesses.

#1: Vibrant Mixed Use District#1: Vibrant Mixed Use District

Community VisionCommunity Vision#2: Improved Traffic Patterns#2: Improved Traffic Patterns• Safe and smooth flow, reduced car dependencySafe and smooth flow, reduced car dependency• Pedestrian / Bicycle improvementPedestrian / Bicycle improvement

Community VisionCommunity Vision#3: Community Orientation#3: Community Orientation• Gathering spaces for the public, public market• Services / businesses / facilities for elderly and youth• Local ownership and diversity


#4: Green/Sustainable Development#4: Green/Sustainable Development• Model of best practices; reduce building and transportation energy use and Model of best practices; reduce building and transportation energy use and

COCO² pollution / emissions.² pollution / emissions.

Community VisionCommunity Vision#5: Green Space Assets#5: Green Space Assets• Improved access to area assetsImproved access to area assets

• Participants




• Next StepsNext Steps


How You Can Get Involved:How You Can Get Involved:

• Ask the BRA & City to appoint a district-wide Community Advisory Committee to provide community input on all of the parcels. Contact Ines Palmarin at the BRA:(617)-918-4434.

• Join our efforts to keep neighbors informed and engaged. Contact Kyle Robidoux to stay appraised of upcoming activities: Kyle Robidoux at JPNDC: (617) 522-2424 x279.

Forest Hills Initiative Presentation Revised Version

Documents

Transcript of Forest Hills Initiative Presentation Revised Version