Good morning,

We don’t typically publish a chamber newsletter on Wednesdays, but we’re starting April off with four timely stories you need to hear today.

(April Fools)

State offers a new approach at MassBay

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proposing a plan to allow construction of up to 180 luxury treehouses within a 40-acre section of state-owned forest in Wellesley, a move that is already drawing a mix of curiosity, skepticism and concern.

The idea comes in response to twin legal threats from the town and a resident group over a proposal to build housing on a little-used parking lot at the MassBay Community College campus.

While some opponents worry that the state would tear down the woods, others are concerned that students would lose parking.

Under the treehouse proposal, the asphalt would remain undisturbed. Adam Baacke, commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, said the approach could preserve much of the surrounding land by concentrating development in elevated structures, rather than clearing large sections of forest.

According to preliminary details, the proposal would open up part of the forested land for a new form of low-impact luxury residential development, with elevated structures designed to minimize disturbance to the forest floor. State officials say the concept is intended to balance conservation goals with innovative housing options.

The treehouses would be clustered so as to enjoy breathtaking views of the adjacent Centennial Reservation, though specific siting, infrastructure needs and environmental safeguards have not yet been finalized.

The state has indicated that the plan would not require town approval under the Land for Homes program, created through the Affordable Homes Act.

The Wellesley Select Board has scheduled an emergency meeting this morning (April 1) at 9 a.m. at Town Hall to discuss the proposal.

Crocker recommends new Great Plain Ave. solution

Following a year of deliberations, community meetings and surveys, Needham

Planning Board Chair Artie Crocker has put forward a new idea for Great Plain Ave. that he says will address traffic concerns while also creating more public spaces for outdoor dining, bike lanes and other amenities.

“We have to rip up Great Plain to do stormwater improvements, so let’s build an underground path for those motorists who are just passing through,” Crocker said at this week’s Planning Board meeting.

Going the full length of Great Plain would be cost-prohibitive, he acknowledged, but the concept could alleviate key bottlenecks, including where Dedham and Highland avenues intersect and possibly where Chapel Street crosses Great Plain.

“That way any car coming through downtown will only be there because they want to be there,” Crocker said of his new Envision Needham plan, which he suggested renaming Tunnel Vision.

Watertown eyes even newer school buildings

Fresh off completing a sweeping overhaul of its school facilities, Watertown officials are now considering whether to do it all over again.

The City Council is discussing adding millions to the capital improvement plan to rebuild the city’s three new elementary schools and begin setting aside funds for a future high school — even as a new, state-of-the-art high school (in photo) prepares to open this fall.

Cunniff, Hosmer and Lowell elementary schools were all recently rebuilt or renovated, with the final project completed in 2023.  The projects were all funded through the city’s operating budget,  without state money or an override.

But Watertown has so much cash — thanks to the fact that it’s not terrified by multifamily housing and commercial growth and has a fully funded pension plan —- that Council President Mark Sideris suggested the city might as well redo them all again.

“The first round was such a success, we might as well do it a second time,” Sideris said. “Plus, what the heck else are we going to do with all this cash if we don’t?”

City Manager George Proakis, however, urged caution, given the slowdown in the life science sector. He advised councilors that there may not be enough money to also do the middle school

Newton councilors think inside the box

After earning praise from Banker & Tradesman for their idea to curb teardowns, Newton City Councilor Pam Wright and Council President John Oliver are back with a new proposal to address the region’s housing shortage:

An ADU inside another ADU.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were legalized statewide last year, but have been slow to gain traction locally.

Under their proposal, a homeowner with a 1,200 SF ADU could construct a fully compliant 700 SF ADU within it.

Lisle Baker, chair of the city’s Zoning and Planning Committee, “loves, loves, loves” the idea.

“I’ve always believed in thinking outside the box,” Baker said. “This time, my colleagues are thinking inside the box and then adding another box.”

Oliver modestly indicated that the pair has no shortage of great ideas. In fact, Wright and Oliver devised a new one just yesterday.

“We should allow developers of multi-family housing to add an additional floor to any project by right,” Oliver said. “I mean, if they’re building it anyway, why not?”

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know that today is April Fools’ Day.

P.S. Brookline, we’ll be sure to include you next year!

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.