Planning advances new zoning for Cleary Square
Oct 15, 2026
The Planning Department this month recommended approval of new Squares + Streets planning and zoning for Cleary Square. The Department also recommended approval of five new development projects representing approximately 452,735 square feet (SF). All were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 192 new homes, including 36 that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 362 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs. The projects advanced today will help make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.
The Board also approved agreements to enable targeted, time-limited tax abatements for four previously Board-approved market-rate housing developments that will unlock 1,400 homes, including more than 180 income-restricted homes, and support an estimated 1,582 jobs across Boston. The abatements will temporarily defer a portion of property tax increases for: One Mystic Avenue in Charlestown, 22-24 Pratt Street in Allston, 83 Leo M. Birmingham Parkway in Brighton, and Allston Yards Building D in Allston. The relief will enable them to begin construction within the next year. The City will experience no net revenue loss, and developers will continue to pay at least the same amount in property taxes that they pay today. This BPDA Board approval allows formal negotiations to begin between the City and each project team.
Planning & Zoning
Planning adopts Cleary Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan, advances corresponding zoning
The Planning Department adopted the Cleary Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan and advanced the corresponding zoning for the Plan. The Small Area Plan recommends: updating zoning to encourage mixed-use, multi-family development, beginning the process of disposing of public land for community uses such as housing, establishing an arts corridor along River Street, Fairmount Avenue, and Central Avenue, and facilitating the enhancement and beautification of current green spaces, and the creation of new ones. These recommendations were developed in partnership with residents through three years of community engagement. These recommendations will: create a more activated Cleary Square, expand gathering spaces and strengthen the sense of community, and create new opportunities for housing and small businesses.
The Cleary Square Squares + Streets zoning updates modernize outdated zoning to support new housing, local businesses, and a more vibrant, walkable neighborhood center. These changes reflect community feedback, including adjustments to building heights and development density, while establishing clearer guidelines for future growth. The zoning is a key step in implementing the Cleary Square Squares + Streets Plan, and will next need to be approved by the Zoning Commission for formal adoption.
Planning advances updates to dimensional definitions in the Zoning Code
Planning advanced new text amendments to the Boston Zoning Code that would update some zoning definitions, remove redundancy, and streamline the Code’s structure related to dimensional requirements for buildings. These updates are part of the City’s larger goal of simplifying the zoning code to make things clearer and more understandable. These changes include: amended or clarified definitions, new diagrams for some definitions to help visually explain their meanings, and the removal of erroneous definitions for unused terms. The Code structure was also consolidated by combining Articles 12 through 22, known as the “base code,” into one Article. These updates will now need to be approved by the Zoning Commission.
Real Estate
Boston Food Forest Coalition awarded final designation to redevelop 82 Mascot Street
The Board awarded final designation to the Boston Food Forest Coalition for the redevelopment of 82 Mascot Street in Dorchester into a food forest. The publicly-owned parcel at 82 Mascot Street will be combined with four other publicly-owned parcels to create a network of community gardens in the neighborhood. Community members will use the space for gathering, growing, and sharing food, and for hosting events and educational workshops.
Development Projects
Project at 201-207 Brighton Avenue to bring new housing to Allston
Housing: 145 units, 29 income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 97 construction jobs
Community: Monetary contributions to youth organizations, public realm improvements
Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon, LEED Gold, solar-ready
Located in Allston, this project would build a new six-story building with 145 new homes, 29 of which will be income-restricted, including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and retail space on the ground floor. In line with the Allston-Brighton Mobility Plan to create a comfortable walking and biking environment in this area, the project will also include: more than 170 bike parking spaces, new sidewalks, improved street lighting, and enhanced pedestrian access. As part of the mitigation for this project, it will contribute $49,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system, and add a bikeshare dock on site. In addition, the project will contribute $100,000 to the Boston Parks & Recreation Department in support of maintenance at nearby parks in Allston-Brighton. This project will also contribute $20,000 for community improvements such as holiday lighting and Allston Main Streets Landscaping. The project will also contribute $15,000 to various youth organizations in the area.
50B Park Street project will replace vacant Dorchester office building with self-storage buildings
Jobs: Approximately 105 construction jobs, approximately 230 permanent jobs
Community: Public realm improvements
Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon, LEED Gold
Located in Dorchester, this project will replace what is currently a vacant office building and parking lot with two new self-storage buildings. The project will also include office space. This project will contribute $49,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system. As part of the mitigation for this project, it will provide improved sidewalks and a new crosswalk. The project will also add more than 20 trees on site.
1428 Dorchester Avenue project to build new, transit-oriented housing in Dorchester
Housing: 23 units, four income-restricted
Jobs: Approximately 26 construction jobs
Community: Public realm improvements, preserving existing trees
Sustainability: Mass timber construction
This project will build a new five-story, 23 unit building in Fields Corner, four of which will be income-restricted. These units will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. The project is located in the heart of the neighborhood in close proximity to rapid transit. The project plans to facilitate a pedestrian friendly environment by improving sidewalks, bike lanes, and adding other streetscape improvements. The project will contribute $5,500 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.
New distribution center to be built at 160 McClellan Highway in East Boston
Jobs: Approximately 112 construction jobs, approximately 262 permanent jobs
Community: Planting 30 shade trees on site, public realm improvements
Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon, LEED Platinum, EV parking
This project will build a new central receiving and distribution center associated with airline and airport vendor operations. On site uses will include warehousing, receiving and distribution, and offices. This project falls within the boundaries of PLAN: East Boston, which advocates for allowing for a mix of uses that would support essential economic activity to create opportunities for employment-focused development. As such, this project is estimated to produce approximately 112 construction jobs and approximately 262 permanent jobs. The project will provide a single, consolidated loading area which is expected to significantly reduce diesel truck circulation, queuing, and idling compared to the conditions at the existing facility, thereby reducing emissions, and benefitting the nearby community. As part of the project’s mitigation, it will also provide $75,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system. Other benefits include contributions of: $125,000 to support a community benefits and activities fund for the benefit of East Boston, $125,000 for future transportation analysis of Day Square, and $250,000 to support the betterment and improvement of East Boston, including the Greenway, open space, and public health. Public realm improvements include new crosswalks on site, safe pedestrian paths to connect people to public transit, new bus shelters, and updated sidewalks.
New homeownership opportunities to be built at 201 Hampden Street in Roxbury
Housing: 24 homeownership units, three income-restricted
Jobs: Approximately 22 construction jobs
Community: Redevelopment and revitalization of a vacant site, new street trees
Sustainability: LEED Platinum, all-efficient electric systems, Net Zero Carbon
Located in Roxbury, this project would create 24 new homeownership opportunities near buses and rapid transit, three of which will be income-restricted. These units will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedrooms. The project will contribute $6,600 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare network. In addition, the project will add street trees, and improve the sidewalks and streetscape.
In addition to these projects, the Board approved:
-
An update to a previously approved project at 165 Park Drive to reduce the height of the building and change the programming of the units from homeownership to rental.
-
A grant agreement with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Corporation to provide a one-time grant of $250,000 in Neighborhood Development Funds to support construction of its new Center of Healing, Teaching, and Learning.