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. An executive summary of PLAN: Mattapan and its recommendations is also available below.
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.
The BPDA is planning to deliver new zoning to fulfill the plan recommendations within the next year as part of the citywide squares and corridors initiative and as part of a specialized zoning feasibility study focused on neighborhood residential areas in Mattapan to address ADUs.
Final Plan Documents
Squares + Streets Zoning
Latest Updates
Draft Zoning Amendment Release
The BPDA Planning Team is pleased to share a draft zoning amendment and draft zoning maps to implement the “Corridor Recommendations” and “Node Recommendations” from PLAN: Mattapan. These recommendations are being implemented through the ongoing Squares + Streets initiative.
The Draft Squares + Streets Zoning Text Amendment introduces six new zoning districts for mixed-use and commercial areas of the City that are well-served by transit. Mattapan is the first neighborhood where these districts will be mapped because of the recently completed PLAN: Mattapan process. These new zoning districts include updated land use and dimensional regulations to fulfill the vision and goals identified in PLAN: Mattapan, which includes encouraging vibrant, thriving local businesses and cultural spaces throughout Mattapan Square and other neighborhood centers. Squares + Streets Zoning allows for a mix of building uses and heights, creates housing growth opportunities, and encourages active streets and storefronts.
You can use the links below to access the Draft Squares + Streets Zoning Text Amendment, the Draft Mattapan Zoning Maps, the Draft Mattapan Neighborhood Article 60 Amendment, and associated guides to help walk you through the documents.
- Squares + Streets Draft Text Amendment
- How to Read the Squares + Streets Zoning Amendment
- Draft Article 8 | Draft Article 26 | Draft Other Base Code Articles
- Land Uses Visual Guide
- Mattapan Draft Zoning Maps
- Mattapan Squares + Streets Article 60 Updates
Comment Period + Engagement Opportunities
The release of this draft zoning amendment officially launches a public comment period that will last through January 28, 2024. You can submit comments via this form, by attending one of our upcoming public meetings or office hours, by emailing [email protected] or by leaving a message at 617.918.4461.
Mattapan Squares + Street Zoning Office Hours
- Monday, December 11, 2023 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Monday, December 18, 2023 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Residential Zoning Closeout, Squares & Streets Zoning Update
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Squares + Streets Zoning Timeline
Analysis + Evaluation Period:
- Analyze existing building uses and development trends in Boston’s Squares + Streets areas to inform the new zoning districts.
- Share and gather feedback on the initial analysis at a public meeting with Boston residents and at small workshops with direct users of the Zoning Code – community development corporations, small scale developers, designers, and the Inspectional Services Department (ISD).
Drafting, Public Comment + Revision Period:
- Write the draft zoning text amendment to propose the new zoning districts based on feedback from the evaluation period.
- Share the draft zoning text amendment at a public meeting and hold a public comment period to gather feedback. Hold virtual office hours for interested parties to ask Zoning Reform staff questions about the amendment. Share the revised draft zoning text amendment at a public meeting based on public comments.
Zoning Adoption Period:
- Present to the BPDA Board for approval to petition the Zoning Commission on adopting the zoning text amendment. Present to the Zoning Commission for adoption of the zoning text amendment into the Zoning Code.
Residential Zoning
Latest Updates
The BPDA Planning Team is pleased to share the draft zoning amendment text for Article 60, the article of the zoning code for the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood. This draft zoning amendment, available below, includes proposed changes to Mattapan’s residential zoning code that will align zoning regulations with Mattapan’s existing character, support new housing opportunities through the allowance of two and three-unit infill development, and allow homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including as new attached and detached structures.
The release of this draft zoning amendment officially launches a three week comment period, during which you may submit feedback to the planning team on the proposed zoning changes.
The amendment also includes proposed changes to other areas of Article 60 that will make the zoning code easier to understand and use. In order to help you understand these proposed changes, we’ve created a fact sheet explainer, which is also available on our website. Additionally, the Planning Team will be holding virtual zoning office hours to answer questions you may have about the proposed zoning changes. There are no formal presentations or planned agenda items at these office hours, so we ask that you review the information and materials available and come prepared with any thoughts, comments, or questions that you’d like to bring to our attention!
On October 25, 2023, the BPDA hosted a public meeting on proposed changes to Mattapan’s residential zoning code. The meeting presentation and recording are available to view on the calendar event.
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 BPDA 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:
1. Call for Artists
The BPDA will coordinate and collaborate with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (“MOAC”) during the Call for Artists Process and selection of the design for installation after the artist or team of artist selection. The BPDA has budgeted $15,000 for the Mattapan Public Art Project for mural installation at 1531 Blue Hill Avenue, Post 16, also known as the Carter Post.
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.
Upcoming Engagement
Mattapan Squares + Streets Zoning Virtual Office Hours
These Office Hours will be an opportunity to drop in to chat, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the draft zoning recommendations that advance recommendations from PLAN: Mattapan. There are no formal presentations or planned agenda items at these office hours, so we ask that you review the information and materials available on the PLAN: Mattapan website and come prepared with any thoughts, comments, or questions that you’d like to bring to our attention!
- Monday, December 11, 2023 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Monday, December 18, 2023 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
PLAN: Mattapan Zoning Updates - Residential Zoning Closeout, Squares & Streets Zoning Update
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Please join the BPDA Planning Team in a conversation on two important updates to Mattapan’s zoning code! First, we’ll discuss next steps for new residential zoning that will support more housing, including Accessory Dwelling Units. Second, we’ll discuss zoning for Mattapan’s mixed-use and commercial areas as part of the Squares + Streets initiative.
Register in advance
Toll-free call-in number: 833.568.8864
Meeting ID: 161 758 5090
Past Engagement
Most Recent Engagement
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
