Arlington Redevelopment Board - Oct 19th, 2026

Meeting held at 27 Maple Street. Materials were available from https://arlingtonma.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=18708.

Review Meeting Minutes

The board approved minutes from their September 14 and September 28, 2026 meetings.

Docket 3917 - 61--63 Mass Ave

This is a special permit hearing where the owner of an office building on Mass Ave proposes to convert one of the office suites to residential.

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says that Mr. Fakharzadeh, the owner, plans to convert one of the three commercial units to residential.

(Ali Fakharzadeh, Owner) Mr. Fakharzadeh says he's owned the building for 25 years. The upstairs has a dentist office and an ultrasound clinic. The downstairs has approximately 2500 square feet and he'd like to convert it to residential.

(Ken File, Architect) Mr. File says there will be no changes to the exterior of the building, which currently has three tandem parking spaces. They are providing short- and long-term bicycle parking. The dwelling will have two means of egress. They plan to use high-efficiency hot water heaters, heat pumps, and to add solar on the roof.

(Kin Lau, ARB Chair) Mr. Lau notes this is an office to mixed use conversion. He asks if the remaining office space will be less than 300 square feet.

(Ken File) Mr. File answers in the affirmative.

(Vince Baudoin, ARB) Mr. Baudoin asks if the applicants provided an interior floor plan.

(Ken File) Mr. File says they did not.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin would like the site plan to be updated with the location of the proposed street trees. He recommends the applicant coordinate with the Tree Warden. Mr. Baudoin asks which style of bike locker they plan to use; the application materials showed several.

(Ken File) Mr. File says they're planning to use the rectangular one.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin asks if the exterior will have the same aesthetic.

(Ken File) Mr. File says yes.

(Michelle Shortsleeve, ARB) Ms. Shortsleeve asks if the commercial units are currently occupied.

(Ken File) Mr. File says the dentist is still there. The other tenant will move back in after the fire damage is repaired.

(Michelle Shortsleeve) Ms. Shortsleeve notes that the application shows the layout of the commercial space in the bottom floor, but there's no layout for the residential conversion. She'd like to see that. She doesn't think the tandem three-car parking arrangement is reasonable.

(Shaina Korman-Houston, ARB) Ms. Korman-Houston thinks the parking spaces are small and non-conforming. She thinks the site could accommodate one, which is all that zoning requires. She also wonders about the driveway.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau says the applicants qualify for the parking reduction for mixed-use buildings. He requests that the applicants submit an amended application showing that one parking space is required, and one space is provided. He asks about having a fence by the driveway.

(Ali Fakharzadeh) Mr. Fakharzadeh says he's talked to his neighbor about this. Sometimes they pull onto his driveway, and sometimes his tenants pull onto the neighbor's driveway. He says this hasn't been an issue.

(Ken File) Mr. File says there's no proposal for a fence.

The chair opens the hearing to public comment.

(Bridget DeBlanc) Ms. DeBlanc owns the building next door, at 67 Mass Ave. She'd like to confirm that her property will not be used without her permission during the renovation. She had to call the police about the placement of the abutter's dumpster and she thinks one of the condensers isn't completely on their property. She doesn't want her tenants being disturbed.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau acknowledge Ms. DeBlanc's concerns, but they're beyond the purview of the redevelopment board. The redevelopment board doesn't have any enforcement powers. He suggests she contact the building inspectors, who will enforce construction rules.

There's no more comment.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston move approval with conditions listed in the EDR memo, plus administrative approval of an application that shows one parking space, and a site plan that shows the required number of street trees.

Permit approved, 5--0.

Docket 3915 - 259 Broadway

This is a site plan review hearing. The owner proposes to convert a four-unit building into a five-unit building in the Mass Ave/Broadway multifamily district.

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says this is a new application, which proposes to convert a four-unit building to a five-unit building and add a second means of egress. The applicants plan to demo the existing garage, and they're requesting a reduction to three parking spaces.

(Zeke Brown, Architect) Mr. Brown says the owner is back to proposing a five-unit structure. There are currently four units and the building only has one means of egress. They'd like to add an enclosed stairway for a second means of egress, and to equalize the apartment sizes. Mr. Brown says he's met with the Historic Commission, and they've approved drawings for the addition, with modifications. The exterior of the addition will be finished in Hardie plans and shingles.

(Steve Revilak, ARB) Mr. Revilak notes that this is the third time this property has come before the board. The board previously approved a mixed use building. Before that, the board approved a five unit conversion, similar to what's being presented here tonight. He asks about the reasoning behind the change in plans.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown says costs for the mixed use building came in incredibly high.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak asks questions to confirm the transportation management plan being proposed. The project is sufficient close to a bus with 30-minute frequency, and the owner plans to unbundle parking.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown confirms. The owner will charge separate rents for parking spaces.

(Vince Baudoin, ARB) Mr. Baudoin is disappointed that the applicants aren't moving forward with their previous plans for a mixed-use building. He notes that the perimeter fence will need to step down near the driveway. He asks about the location of EV chargers.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown says they'll be near the parking spaces.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin asks about trash bins.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown says there will be four bins. There's space for more, if needed.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin asks that any new plantings be native species. He also believes that the 150' of street frontage requires a total of six street trees.

(Michelle Shortsleeve, ARB) Ms. Shortsleeve would like the applicant to meet the six-tree requirement. She would be okay with having one in the front yard if there isn't room at the curb.

(Shaina Korman-Houston, ARB) Ms. Korman-Houston asks the applicant to indicate where their cargo bike parking is located.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown indicates the area on the plans.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston is happy to see space for a cargo bike.

(Kin Lau, ARB Chair) Mr. Lau regrets the fact that the mixed use building can't be constructed. He asks what kind of heat will be used for common areas, noting that there are five compressors shown for five units.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown says they haven't figured out that detail yet.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau notes that clapboard is only being replaced on the addition, and the rest of the exterior will remain vinyl siding. That feels awkward to him. He suggests going will all one or the other.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin would be comfortable with phasing the work, so that new siding is installed on the building at a later point in time.

Other board members are comfortable with this.

(Michelle Shortsleeve) Ms. Shortsleeve asks that the applicants provide a way of turning off outdoor lights by 10:00, along with having bike ramps on both sides of the stairs to the basement.

(Zeke Brown) Mr. Brown says they can accommodate those requests.

The chair opens the hearing for public comment. There is none.

The board approves the application with the conditions listed in staff's memo, plus a requirement for six street trees. Voted 5--0.

80 Broadway Discussion

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says that 80 Broadway was approved in 2022, and their special permit was modified in 2024. They've added one more inclusionary units via a town award from ARPA funds. At present, three of the apartments have been converted to condominiums, and the rest will remain rentals. We're still waiting for the Executive Office of Housing and Liveable Communities to approve the inclusionary units, so we can release the ARPA funds to the applicant and issue certificates of occupancy.

(Michelle Shortsleeve) Ms. Shortsleeve asks if staff know what the holdup at EOHLC is.

(Claire Ricker) According to Ms. Ricker, EOHLC says we're in their review queue, but they've gotten a lot of applications.

New Business

(Claire Ricker) Mr. Ricker informs the board that the former Arlington Automatic Transmission building at 111 Broadway has been demolished. She has not heard of any new plans for the site.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau spoke with the building commissioner. The building commissioner condemned the building and ordered its demolition.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr Baudoin says that building was an eyesore, unsecured, and kids would sneak in. He'd like to understand the town's options for ensuring that something is done with the property in a reasonable amount of time.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau says he recently drove down Harvard Street in Brookline and saw a pop-up retail store. There's a company that rents vacant store-front and rents them out on a short-term basis. The one in Brookline was a knitting store, and the company has rented other spaces to start-ups. He thinks Arlington should be part of that.

Docket 3916 -- 31 Walnut St

This is a site plan review hearing, where the applicant proposes to replace a single-family dwelling with a pair of two-family dwellings in the Neighborhood Multifamily District.

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker says the applicant plans to demolish and existing single-family dwelling and build a pair of duplexes. Each unit will have approximately 2,400 square feet of living space. Street trees are not shown on the plans, but the applicant intends to plant two in the front yard. Four parking spaces are required, but it's not clear from the plans as to whether the applicants intend to provide four or six.

(Shaina Korman-Houston, ARB) Ms. Korman-Houston believes the applicants will need to provide solar, which isn't shown on the plans. She asks about fencing.

(Bill Mahoney, Applicant) Mr. Mahoney says they're willing to put up a fence. They plan to leave the fence along the rear of the lot.

(Charlie, Architect) Charlie says there will be space for trash receptacles in the garages. The garages will be wide enough for the receptacles to be wheeled around a car.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston asks about exterior lighting.

(Charlie) Charlie says there will be sconces by the front door.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston encourages the applicants to use non-invasive lighting. She says the board can approve putting street trees in the front yard, but applicants have to request that.

(Bill Mahoney) Mr. Mahoney says he's planning to keep some of the trees near the sidewalk.

(Michelle Shortsleeve, ARB) Ms. Shortsleeve thinks the plan is well thought-out. She's glad the applicant has met with the neighbors. The board has heard several concerns about trees. She asks if there's a way to add trees after construction.

(Vince Baudoin, ARB) Mr. Baudoin says town meeting created this bylaw for more housing. He thinks this is a good location. There's a tradeoff between redevelopment and preserving. He'd like to see the Walnut street side treated more like the front of a house. On the garage side, he'd like the applicant to think about different materials, and liven up the color. He encourages the applicant to save one or two of the mature trees, or to have a more robust planting plan.

(Steve Revilak, ARB) Mr. Revilak encourages the applicants to put a fence on the driveway side, to avoid light spill-over onto the abutting property.

(Kin Lau, ARB Chair) Mr. Lau suggests painting the building two different colors, so they look like they happened over time. He suggests trying to align the windows on the Walnut street side a little better, and to do something to break up the height. He's comfortable with the 35' height of the building, but would like to see less of a cookie-cutter plan. He notes an issue with the way the stairs are shown on one of the unit's plans.

(Michelle Shortsleeve) Ms. Shortsleeve asks how many trees are currently on the site.

(Bill Mahoney) Mr. Mahoney says he had a tree plan, which was sent to the tree warden. He notes that some trees, if left, would be damaged by construction and would be likely to die a few years afterwards. He says he's already changed the third floor plans based on comments from neighbors, so the balconies will be on the other side of the building.

The chair opens the hearing to public comment.

(Wynelle Evans, 20 Orchard Place) Ms. Evans asks if there's a rendering of the rear elevation available.

(Bill Mahoney) Mr. Mahoney says it will be the same as the elevation between the buildings.

(Wendy Richter, 12 Brattle Place) Ms. Richter asks if the parking garage is at grade.

(Bill Mahoney) Mr. Mahoney says no, there's a slight slope down.

(Amy Goldstein, 29 Albermarle St) Ms. Goldstein says there have been a lot of teardowns, which has had a huge impact on the neighborhood. She thinks the side of the house isn't consistent with the neighborhood. She says that contractors don't follow the rules regarding hours of construction, and some are contemptuous of them.

(Kerry Finison, 37 Walnut) Ms. Finison is glad to see the balconies moved to the other side. When our houses were built, the back yards all lined up and that made them feel bigger. New construction will loom over the neighbors. She understands the need for more housing, but she bought into the neighborhood when she bought the house. The driveway has room to park another eight cars

(Susan Stamps, 39 Grafton St) Ms. Stamps says the bylaw requires a street tree every 25 feet. They should be larger shade trees, and would like the board to ensure that's the case.

(Zeke Brown, 71 Walnut) Mr. Brown thinks the ARB has the right to push for more creativity from the applicant. He says there aren't many houses like the one there now. He suggests bringing the four units together in a single structure. He thinks the applicant is trying to do something on the cheap.

There are no more comments from the public.

(Mary Winstanley O'Connor, Attorney) Ms. Winstanley O'Connor wants to speak to the comment about the applicant trying to do something on the cheap. He lives in Arlington and takes pride in the work he does. The applicant is not looking for any sort of relief.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak took a walk up the street over the weekend. He noticed 15 Walnut street, which is three units in two buildings, one tucked behind the other. He felt that was a lot like what's being proposed here. There's a three-story apartment building a little further up the street, and a four-story apartment right across from that. Mr. Revilak says there's a lot of housing variety on Walnut street, and the proposed homes will fit in.

Mr. Revilak understands that some of the homes are right next to each other on smaller lots. Walnut St. and Mt. Vernon St. a block over are similar in the sense that small lots were carved out of large ones, with new homes built in front of existing ones. That can't be done today but it was possible then. Arlington is an urban community and there are a lot of small closely-spaced lots. That just is what it is.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau has seen this developer multiple times, and he's always shown empathy for the abutters. He's not asking for relief, and he's been talking to abutters. He thinks that deserves some merit. He'd be okay with leaving changes to administrative approval.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston agrees that the new homes aren't inappropriate. Some of the boards comments were aesthetic in nature, and might not be easy to approve administratively.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin says this project doesn't have his vote today, but it could if his concerns were met. He understands there have been some changes to the plans and he'd like to see them updated. He'd like to understand which trees have the largest value. He understands the applicants could build a larger apartment. He'd like to see them put in a proposal for more units, or take more time with the four they're proposing.

(Kin Lau) Mr. Lau thinks staff could administratively approve changes, and ask the board to re-open the hearing if needed.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak would be okay with administrative approval.

(Michelle Shortsleeve) Ms. Shortsleeve would like to see a tree plan.

(Shaina Korman-Houston) Ms. Korman-Houston thinks the board is collectively asking for a tree plan, a landscaping plan, and changes to make the Walnut St. facade look more like the front of a building.

(Vince Baudoin) Mr. Baudoin would like to see a fence indicated on the plan, and maybe a lighting plan.

The board continues the hearing to November 16, 5--0.

Open Forum

There are no speakers for open forum.

Meeting adjourned.