Image courtesy of Heffner Architects
An apartment developer won approval to build a 204-unit project at a Hyde Park woodland, bringing an apparent end to its legal battle with the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
The BPDA board approved Willow Bridge Property Co.’s 990 American Legion Highway project, following a court ruling that highlighted the limits of the agency’s discretionary powers.
The nation’s sixth-largest apartment landlord, which has local offices in Waltham, has been pursuing the development since 2021. A previous proposal called for 270 apartments on the 14-acre site.
Citing the lack of a decision, Willow Bridge took the Boston agency to court last year. In April, a Land Court judge ordered the BPDA to conduct an expeditious review.
Willow Bridge resubmitted a proposal to comply with zoning, which limited the BPDA’s ability to require community benefits. The changes also exempted the project from the city’s inclusionary development policy, which requires 20 percent income-restricted units in developments with seven or more housing units.
BPDA directors reluctantly approved the project at Thursday’s meeting, while acknowledging community opposition to the loss of an urban wild and lack of a community benefits package.
“This project seems to be universally unpopular. It’s just honestly baffling to me the developer hasn’t been able to more responsible and work toward a solution with those constituents,” board member Kate Bennett said.
The updated plan also eliminated such community benefits as a publicly accessible nature trail leading from American Legion Highway to Crane’s Ledge on an adjacent property owned by Jubilee Christian Church, and construction of a sheltered MBTA bus stop in front of the property.
The 990 American Legion Highway project is an illustration of “the need to maintain a nimble and up-to-date zoning code,” said Ted Schwartzberg, the assistant deputy director for planning review.
Board Vice Chair Raheem Shepard recused himself from the discussion, and Ted Landsmark voted no, but the motion passed 3-1.
