PUBLIC HEARING
Zoning Commission Hearing
May 6, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
BOSTON CITY HALL
ONE CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 900
The Boston College Institutional Master Plan will be brought before the BRA Board at this public hearing. Project Manager John Fitzgerald of the BRA has advised us that there are two agenda items before Boston College is heard. He expects BC to begin sometime after 3:30 P.M.
While we know many of you have commitments during the day, it is extremely important that you attend this decisive meeting. The BRA Board will be voting to pass the IMP as is, pass it conditionally, or reject it entirely.
BNU believes that the following neighborhood concerns have not been adequately addressed and are detrimental and injurious to the surrounding community and should be rejected by the BRA Board:
1. Dorms: Under no condition should dorms be built on the former Archdiocese property. BC has repeatedly promised they would not build dorms at this location and has failed to provide any credible reason why these dorm beds cannot be build on the Chestnut Hill campus.
2. Stadiums and playing fields: BC's proposal to light and utilize the multi-purpose field and stadiums until 10:00 P.M. nightly and year round is unacceptable. We support low impact athletic use at the former Archdiocese property.
3. Conversion of 2000 Commonwealth Avenue to a dorm: This is institutional expansion into our residential community. It is damaging to the residential qualities of that area, reduces property tax receipts and permanently places 6% of BC's student population in the heart of a residential block.
If you are unable to attend this critical meeting and would like to have your voice heard, please write to John Fitzgerald at the BRA john.fitzgerald.bra@cityofboston.gov and send a copy of your letter to info@savebrighton.org stating that:
I am in agreement with the position held by Brighton Neighbors United with respect to the Institutional Master Plan submitted by Boston College as revised in December, 2008.
Please include your name and address.
We expect this to be a long meeting, so be sure to bring snacks and water. If you need transportation, please email us as soon as possible so we can make arrangements.
Thank you,
Abigail Furey and Ram Rao
BNU Co-Chairs.