Boston has launched a new zoning initiative, that will apply to all Boston districts. West Roxbury is on the list of areas to be developed. 
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The Initiative
SQUARES + STREETS (S+S) is a zoning initiative promoting new development with 6 prescribed types of development plan areas according to use and location of land. These development concepts aim to expand much-needed housing amidst a nation-wide housing crisis, streamlining zonining protocols, decreasing red tape for developers. 
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Limitations
S+S does not specify location of proposed new zones within a neighborhood. The zoning plans for the 6 S+S zones are planned to be homogenous, applied in the same way to all areas despite the unique needs of different communities. 
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Community Concerns
Hyde Park and Roslindale are amidst S+S rezoning and Hyde Park residents express concerns around the lack of affordability of new condos and apartment dwellings, decreased parking with no plan, and displacement of existing businesses and residents.
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The Process
The City represents that they want feedback and learn what works in our town. yet, local press observes city hall's neighborhoods are not on a shared path. 
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Hyde Park & Roslindale Address Concerns
Hyde Park observes that if residential-only developments replace businesses along main streets, they will displace businesses and change the feel of access and use along main streets, by possibly creating a "canyon effect.". For this reason, HP proposes that the city amend its zoning to include 2 additional ones, that would allow for 1 to 2 floors of active commercial use in new residential developments on main streets.  
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Local businesses areas in Boston provide vibrant town experiences, accessible services and goods that the community relies upon and expect in our commercial centers.
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The city has suggested that they will review and respond HPNA's proposed amendments, by March 2025.​
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How to Become Involved
Without specifics, we do have some guidelines that we can use to inform our understanding of how this will impact our town of West Roxbury.  It's important to stay informed and add our thoughts for what we envision works best in our town as development will change our towns. 
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​To watch how Hyde Park is collaboratively working through the S+S process HERE.
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Click HERE to access Roslindale Coalition's form letter to officials, & their Change.org PETITION.
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