By Jose Masso, on behalf of the CLWC steering team
Dear Friends, Allies, and Supporters of the Campaign to Save Crane Ledge Woods,
CLWC is [sharing] an update: the 990 American Legion Highway developer has filed a case in state Land Court against the City of Boston and the BPDA (Boston Planning and Development Agency).
The Developer’s lawsuit focuses on the two BPDA staff disapprovals for the proposed project, and asks the court to rule that BPDA’s requirements exceeded its planning review authority.
A recent news article provides some context and a link to the developer’s filing.
At issue is the future of the 24 acre urban woodlands bordering Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roslindale; the developer has proposed 273 rental housing units for a portion of the Crane Ledge Woods site.
Our vision for this land is full conservation of Crane Ledge Woods, with property owner Jubilee Christian Church being fully compensated and the developer’s accumulated reasonable costs being covered as well. Together with our conservation goals, we have serious concern about the developer’s unfavorable project track record with organized labor.
Deciding the future of Crane Ledge Woods is an opportunity for bold, transformative leadership by the City of Boston — protecting natural spaces in Boston’s environmental justice neighborhoods while directing needed housing to walkable districts near public transit: as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s Squares + Streets initiative intends.
We continue to firmly believe that this positive, “win-win” result can ultimately be achieved between the Wu Administration, the BPDA, the property owner Jubilee, and the developer.
Photo: Robin Lubbock, WBUR
