Public Comment Period Open for Draft Bridge Street Corridor Plan
The Town of Dedham is inviting the community's input on the draft Bridge Street Corridor Plan. The draft plan lays out design guidelines and future zoning recommendations for Bridge Street, drafted by Gamble Associates in coordination with an 11-member Advisory Committee. The draft plan is a reflection of comments received during a public meeting held at the Riverdale Elementary School in February 2023 as well as from six Advisory Committee meetings held since December 2022.
Zoning recommendations within the draft plan include adjusting many of the neighborhood’s split lots (properties located in multiple zoning districts), protecting the predominant GeneralResidence zoning (allowing single-family and two-family homes), and converting a small commercial area along Bridge Street currently zoned Limited Manufacturing (automotive andindustrial uses) to General Business (retail, services, etc.). These zoning recommendations will help inform the Planning Board's next steps, including potential future zoning amendments.
Highlights of the design guidelines listed in the draft plan include improving the pedestrian experience by encouraging appropriate building setbacks and landscaping, and promoting responsible architecture to give the corridor a cohesive feel.
A public comment period will be open until November 15th before the final draft plan will be presented to the Planning Board. Dedham residents, especially those in Riverdale, are encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback on the draft plan to help shape the future of Bridge Street.
Comments can be sent directly to Senior Planner Jayson Schultz by email at jschultz@dedham-ma.gov or by phone at (781)-751-9175.
About the Bridge Street Corridor Plan
The Planning Board created an advisory committee in December 2022 to develop a future vision for the Bridge Street Corridor. To achieve the vision, zoning recommendations and design guidelines will be developed to promote the types of improvements desired in the Corridor, based on input from the public and with consultation from an Advisory Committee. The Bridge Street Corridor Plan will provide a roadmap to the community on how to preserve the attributes that are valued while also embracing changes that will foster fiscal stability and meet theneeds of residents and businesses into the future.
The Bridge Street Corridor stretches from the intersection with Ames and Pine Streets north to Spring Street and the VFW Parkway at the Boston city line. Single-family and multifamily homes are present on Bridge Street as are many small businesses. The Corridor has experienced recent redevelopment activity. In 2013, a 12-unit property was built at 27 Bridge Street, and in 2021 a 41-unit property was built at 80 Bridge Street. Across the Dedham line in West Roxbury, there have been a number of recently permitted constructed residential projects. According to the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), approximately 265 units have been recently built or are proposed within half a mile of the Dedham line, and an additional 367 units have been built or are proposed within a mile of the line. The Town’s Designing Dedham 2030 Master Plan recommended initiating a local business district and neighborhood plan for the Bridge Street corridor to inform any zoning updates deemed necessary due to the rising demand for mixed-use properties.
The Planning Board has chosen Gamble Associates as the consultant to conduct the Bridge Street Corridor Plan. The objective of the plan is to develop a future vision for the Corridor. To achieve the vision, zoning recommendations and design guidelines will be developed to promote the types of improvements desired in the Corridor, based on input from the public and with consultation from an Advisory Committee. The Bridge Street Corridor Plan will provide a roadmap to the community on how to preserve the attributes that are valued while also embracing changes that will enable growth, foster fiscal stability and health, and meet the needs of residents and businesses into the future.
Project Schedule:
The Bridge Street Corridor Plan process commenced in December 2022 and anticipated to be completed in December 2024.
Bridge Street Corridor Plan Advisory Committee
The Bridge Street Corridor Plan Advisory Committee collaborates with the consultant team (Gamble Associates), the Planning Board, and the Planning & Zoning Department to develop a roadmap for the future growth and preservation of the Bridge Street corridor.
Committee Members:
- Dimitria Sullivan, Select Board
- Mike Podolski, Planning Board
- Jim Sullivan, Precinct 2 Chair
- Marilee Dempsey
- Hyacinthe Fallings
- Leah Kane
- Jack Kelliher
- Judy Massey
- Marsha Medalie
Director of Planning, Zoning, and Natural Resources Jeremy Rosenberger and Police Chief Michael d'Entremont serve as ex-officio members.
Committee Responsibilities & Expectations:
The committee duration is anticipated to be one year to develop the plan. In order to complete the work in that timeline, committee members will be expected to:
- Provide input and guidance throughout the process
- Facilitate and encourage public participation in the planning process
- Attend monthly committee meetings during the evening
- Attend an estimated two (2) public meetings
- Complete work outside of meetings as needed
Advisory Committee Meeting Slides
Bridge Street Corridor Plan Community Meeting
- February 11, 2023 at Riverdale Elementary School
