​​Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What’s the difference between Re-Zoning and Squares + Streets?

A: The Re-Zoning initiative affects all of West Roxbury. The Squares + Streets (S+S) initiative applies only to commercial corridors and neighborhood centers, such as Centre Street, Spring Street, parts of the VFW area, and Washington Street.

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Q: What is a Squares + Streets District?

A: Squares + Streets Districts are areas with a mix of uses, access to transit, and higher levels of pedestrian activity. The City’s stated goal is to support mixed-use development, improve walkability, encourage reuse of existing buildings, and allow for new housing through coordinated planning and investment.

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Q: What is zoning?

A: Zoning establishes the rules for what types of buildings can be built and how properties can be used in different parts of the city. Most of West Roxbury is currently zoned for single-family homes, with commercial zoning primarily along Centre, Spring, and Washington Streets. The neighborhood also includes private and parochial schools with separate zoning classifications, a small number of multi-family zones, and some multi-family homes that pre-date current zoning regulations.

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Q: What could zoning or re-zoning mean for my home?

A: Proposed zoning changes could: Change single-family zones to allow multi-family housing, expand commercial zoning into existing residential areas, reduce setback requirements, allowing buildings closer to property lines, increase permitted building height (currently up to 35 feet in most single-family subdistricts)

Together, these changes may result in denser development through infill, where open space is converted into living space.

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Q: How might rezoning affect the character of my neighborhood?

A: Changes in zoning could allow single-family homes to be replaced with multi-family structures, such as three-family “triple deckers.” This increases density and can impact neighborhood aesthetics, street parking, and access to sunlight for adjacent properties.

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Q: Will rezoning impact property values?

A: Potentially. While increased housing supply may support affordability, changes such as taller structures next door or denser development could affect views, sunlight, and perceived character of the area, which may influence property values.

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Q: How could rezoning affect drainage, water, and infrastructure?

A: Larger or additional structures reduce open, permeable soil, which can increase the likelihood of basement flooding or changes to local groundwater levels. 

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Q: Will new development affect parking?

A: Yes. If single-family homes are replaced with multi-family units, street parking demand may increase. Current zoning does not require additional parking for structures under six units, so residents should plan accordingly.

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Q: How does rezoning relate to affordability?

A: By increasing the number of housing units per lot, rezoning may provide more moderately priced housing options compared to individual single-family homes, contributing to broader affordability goals in the city.

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Q: How could zoning changes affect trees, green space, and sunlight?

A: Changes to dimensional regulations, such as reduced side-yard setbacks, could significantly reduce open space between homes. For example, if side setbacks are reduced from 12 feet to 6 feet on each property, the space between two homes would shrink from 24 feet to just 12 feet. This reduction in open space may limit the ability to maintain or plant large canopy trees, such as maples, oaks, or pines, and could result in diminished sunlight between buildings. Over time, these changes may impact neighborhood greenery, tree canopy coverage, and the overall environmental character of West Roxbury.

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Q: I’ve heard West Roxbury is “on the list” for development. What does that mean?

A: Squares + Streets is a citywide zoning initiative that identifies six development area types based on land use and location. The initiative is intended to increase housing supply and streamline zoning rules in response to the broader housing shortage.

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Q: Where would Squares + Streets changes apply?

A:The initiative does not specify exact locations for new zoning districts within neighborhoods. Instead, the same zoning framework would be applied broadly, regardless of the unique characteristics or needs of individual communities. This uniform approach has been cited as a limitation of the initiative.

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Q: What concerns have been raised in other neighborhoods?

A: In neighborhoods that have already undergone or are currently undergoing rezoning, such as Hyde Park and Roslindale, residents have raised concerns about housing affordability, reduced parking without mitigation plans, and the displacement of existing residents and local businesses.

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Q: Are there examples of how other neighborhoods navigated this process?

A: Yes. Hyde Park’s experience with the Squares + Streets initiative offers one example of how another  neighborhood engaged with the process. Learn more HERE.

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Q: What can residents do?

A: Residents play an important role in shaping how planning initiatives affect their community. You can:

Stay informed about proposed zoning changes and timelines, Submit written feedback and questions to City planning staff, Engage with neighborhood associations and local organizations, Share perspectives on what development "should", and "should not", look like in West Roxbury.