Greetings everyone, Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all who celebrate! It’s a busy time, so let’s get right on to the news.
Brookline’s May 5 Election is Just Four Weeks Away — AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The campaign season kicks into high gear this month for Select Board and Town Meeting candidates, as well as the Yes for Brookline campaign for the override. As a reminder, you can find the Brookline for Everyone Endorsements here.
- For the Select Board, we endorsed Amanda Zimmerman and Anthony Buono for the two open seats. We think they bring the leadership, judgment, and analytical rigor Brookline needs at a pivotal moment. They share a commitment to increasing housing affordability; tackling the climate crisis; supporting a welcoming and diverse community; ensuring Brookline’s schools continued excellence; and effectively encouraging the economic development we need to help meet our budget challenges.
- For Town Meeting, we have endorsed 67 diverse candidates, including many first-time candidates alongside long-serving incumbents; renters and owners; students, parents, professionals, and retirees.
- Finally, we strongly support a “YES” vote for the Operating Tax Override on the May 5 ballot. A “NO” vote will result in devastating cuts to schools, public safety, infrastructure, and community services, including dozens of teacher layoffs. For further override details, please see FAQ – Yes for Brookline 2026
WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can volunteer with B4E by clicking here, donate to B4E’s campaign efforts, and encourage your friends and neighbors to vote for B4E backed candidates. Now is the time to make a difference.
Three Meetings of Note this Week
There are three Public Hearings this week to consider two significant zoning changes which we strongly support: Special Town Meeting (STM) Warrant Articles 1 and 2 creating the Chestnut Hill Commercial Overlay District, and Warrant Article 16 at the (regular) Annual Town Meeting, which would rezone a large parking lot at 26 Pleasant Street to allow a 7-story residential building with 103 Units (with up to 15 income-restricted Affordable homes on site). Please speak up to support these Warrant Articles, or send written support before the public hearings.
- On Monday (April 6), the Economic Development Advisory Board holds its Public Hearing via Zoom from 7:00-9:00 pm to review STM Warrant Articles 1 and 2 for Chestnut Hill. The Agenda (with links to attachments) and Zoom registration are here.
- On Wednesday (April 8), the Advisory Committee’s Land Use Subcommittee holds its Public Hearing at 7:00 pm to review Warrant Article 16 regarding 26 Pleasant Street. Agenda and Zoom registration here.
- Then on Thursday (April 9), the Planning Board and the Housing Advisory Board will then hold a Joint Public Hearing at 7:00 pm via Zoom on STM Warrant Articles 1 and 2 for Chestnut Hill. Agenda and Zoom registration here.
And Three for Next Week (so far)
- On Monday (April 13), the Advisory Committee’s Land Use Subcommittee turns to STM Warrant Articles 1 and 2 for Chestnut Hill. Agenda and Zoom registration here.
- Also on Monday (April 13), the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meets at 7:00 pm, most likely in hybrid format, at Town Hall and on Zoom. The Agenda hasn’t been published yet; watch this space next week for more information.
- Then on Thursday (April 16), the Planning Board meets again 7:00 pm via Zoom to further consider STM Warrant Articles 1 and 2 for Chestnut Hill, and to consider Warrant Article 15, which amends the Brookline Zoning By-Law to restore allowing cash payments, instead of inclusionary on-site units, for new developments less than 20 apartments. The Zoom link hasn’t been published yet, so watch this space next week for details.
Special Reminder for Precincts 3 and 6
We want to alert readers in Precincts 3 and 6 to check their mailboxes for a survey from the Town to “Shape the Vision of Our Neighborhood.” The survey is part of a new initiative to guide future housing development in the area around Toxteth and Perry streets. We strongly encourage everyone who receives it to complete the survey and communicate their vision of how Brookline can add new housing in the area. The survey is online, but only available to those in P3 and P6 who receive the letter. For more background and context, check out this link. And thanks for participating.
What we’re reading this week
We loved this short article titled The Meaning of Main Streets by researcher Amy Dain (who has done extensive work on the statewide impact of the MBTA Communities Act zoning reforms). Her recent article for Boston Indicators (a very cool website – check it out!) underscores the broader civic and economic importance of “Main Streets” as centers of small business activity, community life, and cultural diversity. For B4E, it reinforces one key rationale for our work: if we want a thriving, inclusive “Main Street” in Brookline, we need to actively support the conditions that sustain it, including adding housing near our commercial centers. Efforts like rezoning the Harvard Street corridor are not just about increasing supply, but about ensuring that our walkable and transit-rich Town centers remain vibrant, accessible, and economically resilient places where people can live, work, and participate in community life.
Thanks, and have a great week,
Jonathan Klein, for Brookline for Everyone