Cushing Village

On Tuesday, March 27th, prior to the Planning Board Meeting, the Board of Tax Assessors submitted a letter of support to the Planning Board.  In the letter, the Board of Tax Assessors stated  that the "Real Estate Tax Projections [provided by the Cushing Village team] as currently presented are realistic and attainable and will be a positive addition to the tax base." They further stated that "it is our opinion, that the development will be an enhancement to the immediate area, revitalize Cushing Square and serve as a catalyst for improvement to other commercial properties throughout the town." 

Also that same evening....

• the top floor of the Hyland Building was removed and the stepping was improved to transition the height more gradually away from the residential neighborhood;
• stepping was provided on the back of the Pomona; 
• and, additional mass was trimmed off of both sides of the Winslow Building (on the Municipal Parking Lot site).

After the newly revised design was presented, many prominent Belmont citizens spoke out in favor of the project including Former Selectman Steve Rosales, Former Selectman Wally Fluellen, Gerard Natoli (Candidate for Tax Assessor), Chris McVay - (Planning Consultant for the Town of Belmont), Tomi Olson (Member of the Economic Development Committee / Member of Traffic Advisory Board), Sonia Boyajian (Owner of Real Estate 109), Edward Kazanjian (Former Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Westwood, MA) and Lalig Musserian (Co-Chair Economic Development Committee).  While many supporters still recognized that there was still work to be done and details to be worked out, there was a very positive, optimistic mood in the hearing room on the 27th with some opponents being complementary on the developer's willingness to compromise.  

At the end of the hearing, the Planning Board indicated that the plan was "going in the right direction". 

Smith Legacy Partners agrees on a number of  the points brought up by the Planning Board in response to our  presentation, particularly the statement that numbers and facts  brought up in Planning Board hearings should be reasonably based upon  documentable facts and evidence.   

The Cushing  Village team was pleased with the outpouring of support for the newly  revised plans and the project in general.  Further, the team recognizes  that the process is a long, methodical one and more work needs to be  done.    

Christopher Starr, Principal of Smith Legacy Partners, said "I am very pleased with the local support expressed and the support from the Board of the Assessors. I think we are making good progress.  We are dedicated to the current Planning Board process and will continue to listen and respond to the issues voiced by the community."