
Proposed amendments seek to gut a sought-after zoning update for Belmont Center for reasons that aren’t clear. That could complicate an already heated discussion at Belmont Town Meeting.

In 1857, as it looked to separate from Cambridge, Waltham and Watertown, Belmont’s lack of a commercial center (“village”) was a major issue. More than 160 years later, the town is looking to revitalize its “village” by modernizing its zoning regulations. In this opinion piece, Town Meeting Member Mary Lewis writes that the proposed Belmont Center Overlay will boost local business, provide accessible housing, and improve residents’ quality of life, fostering a vibrant, 21st century community.
Ready for Belmont 2.0? Mapping Belmont’s Renewal is a forum on Wed, April 16th. Sponsored by the Planning Committee and Office of Community Development, it will solicit residents’ input on important development considerations such as the need for economic development, building sustainable neighborhoods, quality of life issues, as well as parking, transportation, land use and open space/recreation.