We want to start off with a reminder that Brookline will be celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a sold-out event at the Coolidge Corner Theater at 3pm. This excellent event will be live streamed by the Brookline Interactive Group on their web site and Youtube page. We encourage everyone who will not be able to be there in person to tune-in. Additionally, we hope that you’ll take some time to think about what we can do to address the injustice and social challenges still prevalent in our community today, and what we can do to make our world more just.
Action Item No. 1: This week the Planning Process Study Committee, who have been tasked with developing the process to engage in comprehensive planning, will meet on Wednesday, January 18 at 1:30pm (register here). Their agenda includes a discussion of how compliance with MBTA communities fits into the comprehensive planning process. It’s important that comprehensive planning does not prevent Brookline from following this state law. There is no reason that comp planning would be impacted by adopting the Planning Department’s rezoning proposal to legalize more homes and businesses along Harvard Street; in fact the Town Meeting action that established this process explicitly stated that ongoing efforts should not be impeded by the comp planning process. We encourage individuals to submit comment via email (via Emily DeHoog, edehoog@brooklinema.gov) or at the meeting’s public comment period stating that:
The Planning Process Study Committee should support efforts from the Planning Department to establish Harvard Street as an MBTA Communities District and pursue meaningful rezoning within the present four stories to comply with our legal mandate to respond to the current housing and climate crisis as an MBTA community. The Harvard Street Corridor proposal fulfills the Town’s current criteria and policies, values, and vision. It would strengthen and enhance the Main Street character of one of Brookline’s important commercial areas. And, by establishing design standards and using form-based zoning, this plan allows new buildings that add to what we like most about that corridor, while permitting new homes and businesses. This effort would not disrupt the future comprehensive planning process, and, over time, has the potential to make the entire corridor, from Comm Ave to Boylston St, even more dynamic and prosperous.
Action Item No. 2: The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, January 19 at 7pm to hear, among other cases, the addition of 3 homes at 4 Greenway Court on Green Street in Coolidge Corner (register here). The project calls for adding a 4th story to the already existing 3 story building, and the 3 new homes will be a 1 bedroom and 2 3 bedroom units. We encourage you to submit comment via email to manthony@brooklinema.gov, highlighting the excellent location for new homes to be built and that after over a year of discussion it’s time to approve this ultimately modest, yet meaningful, change.
Community Events: This upcoming weekend, Brookline will be hosting two separate Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
- On Sunday, January 22 at 2-4pm the Public Library of Brookline will be celebrating Lunar New Year at the Coolidge Corner Library. Festivities include traditional Chinese Dance performances, a Lion Dance performance, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, snacks, and more! More information can be found here. This is always a fun (and free) event for the whole family and we hope to see you there!
- On Saturday, January 21 at 12pm, join the Brookline Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, among a series of additional co-sponsors, at Brookline High School for food, games, music. Authentic Taiwanese style finger foods will be served and traditional art performances will be presented. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Feel free to reach out with any questions and we hope everyone has a great week!
Jeff Wachter, for
Brookline for Everyone