BPDA halts large project review

Prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) has postponed all Article 80 “large project” review meetings until further notice.

The agency issued the following statement last Friday: “Following guidance issued by Mayor Walsh recommending the postponement or cancellation of public meetings with 25 people or more, the BPDA is postponing all public meetings regarding Article 80 development projects and planning studies until further notice.”

The BPDA is the city entity responsible for conducting community engagement and collaborating with other city agencies to oversee development projects in each neighborhood. The agency will continue to hold its monthly board and commission meetings, but with extra social distancing precautions.

“At this time, this excludes monthly BPDA Board Meetings, Boston Zoning Commission meetings, and Boston Civic Design Commission meetings due to regulatory and statutory requirements.”

Two scheduled Dorchester-related BPDA community planning were among those postponed until further notice:

- Wed., March 18: 69 Bailey St.
- Thurs., March 19: 780 Morrissey Blvd.

In Dorchester, 11 Article 80 development projects are listed on the BPDA’s website as “under review,” meaning that more public meetings will need to be completed as part of the process.

In Mattapan, one project is under review. Many more projects in both Dorchester and Mattapan have been board approved, but likely will require additional public meetings going forward.

Various BPDA neighborhood planning initiatives that incorporate public meetings, like PLAN: Mattapan, PLAN: Glover’s Corner, and PLAN: Newmarket, will also be affected by the postponement notice.

On Sunday, the mayor also announced the suspension of all activity at construction sites in the city — except for security measures— and the closing of Boston Public Library branches.


Subscribe to the Dorchester Reporter