PLAN: Mattapan Adopted Plan & Executive Summary
PLAN: Mattapan is a City planning initiative that seeks to craft an equitable, community-driven future for Mattapan. PLAN: Mattapan was adopted by the BPDA Board on May 11, 2023. Its associated zoning recommendations have also been approved by the Zoning Commission. An executive summary of PLAN: Mattapan and its recommendations is also available below.
Final Plan Documents
Updates on Implementing PLAN: Mattapan
INVESTING IN: Mattapan
This storymap provides the residents of Mattapan with a “progress report” on major public investments the City of Boston is making in their neighborhood. It’s organized around six major categories of investment, including Housing, Mobility, Parks & Greenspace, Jobs & Businesses, Arts & Culture, and Public Facilities. The City is guided in its work by the priorities articulated by Mattapan residents as part of PLAN: Mattapan.
As part of the Squares + Streets Zoning Engagement, the BPDA held a virtual public meeting on January 17, 2024, where multiple City departments presented on their work that advances PLAN: Mattapan. Representatives from the following departments were present: Mayor’s Office of Housing, Transportation Department, Public Works Department, Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, Environment, Office of Green Infrastructure, and Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
Here is an excerpt from that meeting where each department talked about their ongoing capital projects, programs, and policies that implement PLAN: Mattapan.
Summary & Goals
Guided by a multi-year participatory process that launched in 2018, PLAN: Mattapan lays out a carefully considered, comprehensive vision that aligns future growth and investment with community values and identity.
Over the course of more than 150 community meetings, Mattapan residents and community stakeholders worked alongside the planning team to craft a vision and goals for their neighborhood’s future and establish recommendations for how to achieve these goals.
PLAN: Mattapan envisions a future where:
- Existing Mattapan residents are stable in their homes and new residents have affordable housing options
- Mattapan residents have safe and reliable transit connections to jobs, schools, and community spaces in Mattapan and throughout Boston
- Mattapan Square and other neighborhood nodes are home to vibrant, thriving local businesses and cultural spaces that reflect the needs of residents and uphold neighborhood identity
PLAN: Mattapan has worked, and will continue to work closely with the community to review past planning efforts, and identify needs and opportunities for improvements which will support the long-term equitable growth and sustainability of the neighborhood. Focuses will include, though are not limited to, economic development (jobs and business) and the creation of transit-oriented market-rate and affordable housing growth while preserving the neighborhood’s character and unique attributes.
Learn more about our most recent engagement, and our 2018–2021 engagement. For updates and notifications on PLAN: Mattapan, please sign up for our email list under “Stay Connected” found in the toolbar.
New zoning has been implemented to fulfill the plan recommendations as part of the citywide squares and streets initiative and as part of a specialized zoning feasibility study focused on neighborhood residential areas in Mattapan to address ADUs.
Squares + Streets Zoning
New Squares + Streets zoning for the mixed-use and commercial areas of MAttapan was encoded on May 30, 2024. These changes are now reflected in Municode, the online platform where the City of Boston maintains its zoning code.
Squares + Streets zoning districts allow for a mix of building uses and heights, create housing growth opportunities, and encourage active streets and storefronts. This new zoning implements the “Corridor Recommendations” and “Node Recommendations” from PLAN: Mattapan, which called for encouraging vibrant, thriving local businesses and cultural spaces throughout Mattapan Square and other neighborhood centers.
To learn more about the new zoning, please review the fact sheets below, which include further information about the updated dimensional regulations and map amendments.
Article 60 Fact Sheet:
Public Comment Period
The comment period on the Draft Squares + Streets Zoning Amendment for Mattapan was open from December 5, 2023 to January 28, 2024. You can access a compilation of the public feedback along with responses from Staff below.
Residential Zoning
New residential zoning that implements PLAN: Mattapan recommendations was encoded on February 7, 2024. These changes are now reflected in Municode, the online platform where the City of Boston maintains its zoning code.
Mattapan’s new residential zoning modernizes Mattapan’s residential code, better aligning dimensional regulations to the neighborhood’s existing character and supporting the production of new two- and three-unit infill housing on vacant lots. This updated zoning will make it easier for homeowners to make renovations to their homes and for developers to construct up to three units of housing that fit the existing character of the neighborhood.
The zoning changes allow construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on all residential lots in Mattapan. ADUs are additional units that can be built either within an existing home or outside of it, such as in a smaller detached dwelling. ADUs allow homeowners to utilize their property to its fullest potential, adding more room for growing families, or providing opportunities for generating additional income if it is used as a rental unit. For more information on how to build an ADU on your property, including information on financial assistance for qualified homeowners, please refer to this webpage.
To learn more about the new zoning, please review the fact sheets below, which include further information about the updated dimensional regulations and map amendments.
Feedback on Code Guidance
The Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Guidance is meant to explain visually and in plain language common building code and fire code requirements that impact design and construction of attached and detached ADUs. Our goal is that this information may help homeowners considering ADUs understand what type of ADU can work best on their property. You can review the draft ADU Code Guidelines here. A final document will be released by the end of the year.
PLAN: Mattapan Appendices
Existing Conditions Report
The Existing Conditions Report summarizes the comprehensive research that the planning team did to better understand Mattapan's past and present. The data and analysis within this report, alongside community feedback, shed light on strengths and challenges within the neighborhood, informing the recommendations found in final PLAN.
A Guide to PLAN: Mattapan’s Transportation Planning and the Development Review Process
Through the PLAN: Mattapan process, community members shared that it was difficult to understand their role and ability to influence the Article 80 process related to transportation improvements and mitigation, as well as other City and state transportation projects. This guide is part of a larger initiative to build a more inclusive planning process and ensure plans and their implementations reflect the perspectives of a diverse group of stakeholders. It seeks to explain and illustrate government processes and equip residents, workers, and small business owners of Mattapan with planning concepts so they are able to better navigate and participate in these initiatives.
PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (“BPDA”) commissioned temporary murals in the Mattapan neighborhood. As a part of the PLAN: Mattapan initiative, the PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project supports the creation of temporary public art in the Mattapan neighborhood. Two public art projects were completed as a part of this effort:
The Mattapan Teen Center was identified as a recipient of the funds because of their past experience working with youth to produce art. The murals were produced in collaboration with youth artists on the exterior of the Mattapan Teen Center. The mural was completed and unveiled on May 14, 2021. To see photos of the mural, including its process, visit the Mattapan Teen Center Instagram account.
Local artist Jeremy “Sobek” Harrison was awarded $15,000 to create a mural at the Carter Post at 1531 Blue Hill Avenue. The mural was completed and unveiled on October 1, 2021.
Upcoming Engagement
There are no upcoming engagement opportunities scheduled at this time.
Past Engagement
Most Recent Engagement
Mattapan Squares + Streets Zoning Final Public Meeting
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The BPDA Planning Team presented the final draft zoning text amendment and final draft zoning maps for Squares + Streets zoning districts in Mattapan. Staff shared revisions and updates made to the final draft zoning amendments and maps based on feedback received during the public comment period, community office hours, and other engagement events.
Presentation | Recording
Mattapan Squares + Streets Draft Zoning | Business and Property Owners
[In-Person, Mattapan Community Health Center] Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The BPDA Planning Team and the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion led a conversation about what the draft Squares + Streets zoning means for you as a business, property owner, or resident. We discussed what new zoning can enable for commercial uses and what opportunities exist to make the most of your business or property. Staff from other City departments were also there to answer questions, including the Licensing Department, the Inspectional Services Department, Mayor’s Office of Housing, and BPDA Development Review.
Presentation
Mattapan Squares + Streets Draft Zoning Recommendations Public Meeting
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The BPDA Planning Team led a conversation about the Draft Squares + Streets Zoning for Mattapan. In addition to presenting the Draft Squares + Streets Zoning, staff from other City departments discussed ongoing projects and efforts that implement PLAN: Mattapan. These departments included the Transportation Department, Public Works, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, Mayor’s Office of Housing, Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, Environment Department, and the Office of Green Infrastructure.
Presentation | Recording | Zoom Chat Log
Mattapan | Squares + Streets Zoning | Virtual Office Hours
PLAN: Mattapan Zoning Updates - Residential Zoning Closeout, Squares + Streets Zoning Update
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This meeting touched on two important updates to Mattapan’s zoning code! We discussed steps for new residential zoning that will support more housing, including Accessory Dwelling Units. Second, we discussed zoning for Mattapan’s mixed-use and commercial areas as part of the Squares + Streets initiative.
Presentation | Presentación | Prezantasyon | Recording
Mattapan Squares + Streets Draft Zoning Recommendations Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
This meeting focused on proposed zoning for Squares + Streets areas of Mattapan. Squares + Streets are areas of activity within neighborhood centers and along main streets. The specific geographic areas that will be impacted by this updated zoning were identified as part of the "Corridor Recommendations" and "Node Recommendations" sections of PLAN: Mattapan.
Presentation | Recording
Draft Residential Zoning Public Meeting
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
This was a public meeting about draft residential zoning that will support more plentiful housing opportunities throughout Mattapan, as well as enable Additional Dwelling Units.
Presentation | Recording
Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) Public Meeting
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
This was a public meeting to inform attendees of what the BPDA and the City have been doing to support the construction of backyard ADUs following the passage of PLAN: Mattapan. This includes work to update zoning to make it feasible to build ADUs and to share financial programming from the City.
PLAN: Mattapan recommends allowing backyard ADUs. ADUs can provide extra income if they are rented out to family or friends and create generational wealth in Black and Latino communities. Eventually implementing ADUs citywide will also allow more diverse housing options for households that may require less space, such as seniors or young, single adults.
Presentation | Presentación | Prezantasyon | Recording
PLAN: Mattapan Final Overview & Discussion
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Presentation | Presentación | Prezantasyon | Recording
PLAN: Mattapan Draft Release - Public Meeting
Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Presentation | Feedback and Notes | Recording
PLAN: Mattapan Report at the GMNC Monthly Meeting
Monday, October 3, 2022 | 6:30 PM–8:00 PM
The PLAN: Mattapan team attended Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council’s October monthly meeting to unveil the Draft of PLAN: Mattapan. Attendees learned about some of the high-level aspects of PLAN: Mattapan and its recommendations organized in three geographic types: Nodes, Corridors, and Residential Fabric. The presentation of the Draft of PLAN: Mattapan was followed by a question & answer session.
Presentation - English | Presentación Lanzamiento Preliminar para GMNC - Espanol | Prezantasyon Piblikayson Pwoje GMNC - Kreyol Ayisyen | Feedback and Notes | Recording
2018–2021 Engagement
The BPDA hosted the Open House Kick-Off for PLAN: Mattapan at the Mildred Ave Community Center in October 2018. Along with nearly 60 community members, this public meeting marked the beginning of creating a long term (10–20 year) plan and vision for Mattapan. Over the course of the following year, these conversations continued between the BPDA and engaged Mattapan residents, at nearly 10 public meetings. Two very important parts of the PLAN were determined from these meetings. First was the identification of 5 main themes that were determined to be worth studying in more detail: Jobs & Businesses, Open Space & Climate Resilience, Neighborhood Identity, Housing, and Mobility. The other important result of these conversations with the community was the creation of a vision statement to guide PLAN: Mattapan.
After nearly 4 years of process and over 100 engagements with the community, the PLAN: Mattapan team released its Draft of PLAN: Mattapan. The vision state was a driving force behind the recommendations in the document. However, PLAN: Mattapan is a flexible working plan, which holds the community’s values at its forefront and presents adaptable strategies of implementation for Mattapan’s future.
Click the meeting title below for more information and for all associated meeting materials.
- Virtual Chat with a Planner | June 22, 2021
- Height & Use: A Corridors Activity | September 23, 2020
- Revisiting the Future of Mattapan's Corridors | August 5, 2020
- Virtual Chat with a Planner | June 3, 2020
- The Future of Mattapan's Corridors | February 26, 2020
- Deep Dive Session: Mattapan's Existing Housing Conditions, Programs, and Policies | January 22, 2020
- Focus Area Deep Dive: Implementing the Vision | December 17, 2019
- Where We've Been; Where We're Going | November 13, 2019
- Getting Around in Mattapan | June 25, 2019
- Haitian Community Conversation & Update | May 23, 2019
- Goal Setting for Our Neighborhood | March 21, 2019
- City Resource Fair | February 9, 2019
- Envisioning Your Neighborhood | December 10, 2018
- Open House Kick-Off | October 25, 2018
