Last week Mayor Jeannette McCarthy did the right thing and vetoed the overlay district that was rushed through by the City Council as quickly as possible, avoiding any public debate. For years, we have been hearing about a Master Plan. Where is it? Don't the citizens of Waltham deserve more than this piece of spot zoning that is intended to benefit only one developer.
Trapelo Road is already a parking lot during the morning and evening rush hours, and this bill has the potential to do the same thing to the already overcrowded Totten Pond Road. There are some days that I am unable to get in or out of my driveway on Lincoln Street because of the traffic. In spite of these problems, the council never bothered to do a traffic study.
Councilor Patrick O'Brien was right when he voted against the bill at first reading. He said that he felt the zone change was getting the short shift and felt it was a quick response without a lot of review. Why is it that a change that could negatively effect almost every citizen of North Waltham was rammed through with so little public input?
In addition, no study was done on the impact new retail and restaurants would have on Moody Street. I have several favorite places to eat down there, but I find myself going elsewhere because the parking is such a hassle. Like the master plan, Moody Street parking has been talked about for years. Unfortunately, the council doesn't find this as high a priority as taking care of Boston Properties.
I would like to congratulate both Councilor George Darcy III and Kathleen McMenimen for looking out for the residents of North Waltham where they live. I am, however, truly concerned why the other councillors from the north side of the city chose the developers over the residents of the neighborhoods they live in and represent.
Let's put this plan to rest for a while and do zoning as it should be done. It's time for a real zoning master plan. A plan that is good for the residents of Waltham and not just a way to line the pockets of 128 developers. I hope at least one councillor will have the courage to change their vote so any attempt to override this travesty will fail.