A Deal at the Arboretum

Roslindale/West Roxbury Bullitan
Harvard-Arboretum deal to close
Scott Wachtler 20.DEC.07

Half a parcel will remain development-free for 875 yearsAfter four years of nitty-gritty bargaining with Harvard, a formidable opponent used to getting its way, Mayor Menino, Councilor Rob Consalvo, Rep. Sanchez, Jay Walsh and Dave McNulty from Neighborhood Services and Roslindale residents have secured a permanent no-build zone on half of the 14-acre parcel called Weld Hill. The site is a part of the Arnold Arboretum on which Harvard will erect a plant research facility. The deed-restriction calls for half of the land to remain open space--at least for 875 years.

"Harvard's a tough customer, but we saw where we wanted to get to," said Mayor Menino. "Let's see if we can keep it protected for perpetuity."

In last week’s final public meeting before Harvard goes in front of the Zoning Board in January, Roslindale residents quibbled with officials over the legalese of a cooperation agreement and a declaration of development restrictions on the no-build zone, debating such subtleties as whether the land ought to be designated for public enjoyment, or public use and enjoyment. But the main thrust of the papers was there.

"This is the culmination of a four-year process," said City Councilor Rob Consalvo. "This document is much better than it was four years ago, and we’ll feel good about supporting this project when it goes before the Zoning Board, a project that we held our ground on for four years. This is a huge victory for the community holding Harvard accountable like this."
Harvard is proposing a 45,000 square foot research facility on the privately owned parcel, which is currently zoned for single family homes in the Arboretum. Harvard will seek to change the zoning from residential use to institutional use.

According to some residents, the community was divided over the research facility itself, with loud voices against the development, and loud voices supporting the Arboretum’s assertion that it needs to grow and stay relevant. Neighbors were united in their anxiety that the whole parcel might develop into a sprawling complex of buildings and parking lots. The no-build zone ensures a permanent buffer between residential streets and the proposed institutional facility. The community had rebuffed offers for a 10-year, a 50-year, and a 100-year-long deed restriction.
Though it cannot be developed, the no-build zone can be a working landscape, which means that trees and other foliage can be planted.

"Harvard has never protected permanent open space like that," said Consalvo. "This was a quintessential example of a partnership between residents and government holding their ground and holding an institution like Harvard accountable to addressing our issues."
Another victory for residents was the working in of checks and balances into a clause that named the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) as the sole entity able to enforce or waive the terms of the proposed deed restriction. Instead, the Corporation Council of the City of Boston, appointed by the Mayor, will also factor into the equation.

Another major concern for residents was an apparent lack of parking for a 100-person auditorium planned for the facility. Harvard has indicated that it will direct cars to the main Arboretum building for parking, and even provide a shuttle service between the two buildings.-

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