Cambridge Real Estate Developments: Context for Hill’s Crossing Overlay District

 Construction and Housing, Newsletter, September/October 2026  Comments Off on Cambridge Real Estate Developments: Context for Hill’s Crossing Overlay District
Aug 232026
 
Cambridge Real Estate Developments: Context for Hill’s Crossing Overlay District

By Vincent Stanton, Jr. At Town Meeting this fall (or possibly next spring), the Belmont Planning Board, in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Building, will sponsor an article proposing a new zoning overlay for the Brighton Street General Business district, the Hill’s Crossing Overlay District (HCOD). The proposed zoning is analogous to the form-based code adopted by Town Meeting in March for Belmont Center (BCOD) and shares similar goals and methods: to revitalize an area that is not fulfilling its economic potential by increasing the scale and scope of what can be built “by right,” including new housing [READ MORE]

Share

What’s in a Name? Walking and Biking

 Bicycles and bike paths, Bike Paths, January 2024, Newsletter  Comments Off on What’s in a Name? Walking and Biking
Jan 032024
 
What’s in a Name? Walking and Biking

By Vincent Stanton, Jr. Data from various retrospective observational studies show that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure enhance residential property values (reviewed in the article “Impact of Bike Facilities on Residential Property Prices” and in Chapter 6 of the Belmont Community Path Advisory Committee report). However, some of the most persuasive evidence comes from the simple observation that real estate agents—who are paid to market properties effectively and knowledgeable about what works—consistently mention paths when they are nearby. The easiest way to measure that practice is to scan the 100 to 150 word property descriptions near the top of listings. An [READ MORE]

Share

Opinion: Belmont Needs Business-Friendly Zoning

 Construction and Housing, Newsletter, November/December 2023, Parking  Comments Off on Opinion: Belmont Needs Business-Friendly Zoning
Nov 012023
 
Opinion: Belmont Needs Business-Friendly Zoning

By Taylor Yates and Paul Joy Belmont has zoned itself into a financial corner. Fiscally healthy towns balance their tax bases between commercial and residential real estate, Belmont does not. Belmont receives only 5% of its property tax revenue from commercial real estate, whereas fiscally strong towns receive 20% or more. We receive so little revenue from commercial real estate because the few areas in town where it is allowed suffer from overly burdensome regulation. The Economic Development Committee and Vision 21 Implementation Committee were charged by the Select Board to review Belmont’s zoning bylaws and to look for ways [READ MORE]

Share