Press Release: April 9, 2025
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your continuing support of the campaign to preserve Crane Ledge Woods. We write today to update you on recent developments.
LAWSUIT
As you probably know, the development proposal for Crane Ledge Woods at 990 American Legion Highway has been the subject of a lawsuit first filed in May 2024.
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, a hearing was held on the case and the ruling is likely to result in renewal of the BPDA project review process, and opportunity for positive resolution through the “win-win” public benefit acquisition.
To recall, the developer’s original 270-unit proposal from March 2021 violated requirements of the approved Hyde Park Neighborhood Plan, as the developer’s proposal did not have first-floor retail uses, which the Shopping District designation requires.
While the Crane Ledge Woods Coalition has from the outset advocated for a “win-win” solution whereby the City of Boston acquires the land and the owner, Jubilee Christian Church, is fairly compensated, we know that the BPDA has recommended the construction of more dense housing towers on a smaller geographic footprint as an alternative to the lower-height units proposed by the developer. Our position remains that the public benefit of acquiring and preserving this unique urban wild far outweighs the benefit of any proposed housing construction.
BPDA’s housing tower option would have triggered multiple further Hyde Park Neighborhood Plan violations. The developer did not want to pursue the tower option, but instead modified the project to secure an “as of right” project with no plan violations. They then went to court on multiple issues, the primary purpose is for the court to confirm the limited scope of BPDA review for an as-of-right project.
At the April 2, 2025 hearing the judge indicated he would soon issue a ruling. While not under any deadline, the ruling is likely within a month.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Crane Ledge Woods Coalition is anticipating that the ruling will result in the following steps:
1. The developer is to file their now 205-unit as-of-right plan with the BPDA. The modified plan submitted to the courts has eliminated ADA accessible units. 2
2. BPDA Director Kairos Shen will determine within a defined, 30-day time period whether the project revision is a major or minor change, and what further supplemental material if any the developer needs to provide.
3. If deemed a “Minor Change”, then there is a shorter, largely administrative, process.
4. If deemed a “Major Change”, then there is a more familiar Article 80 process, likely including at least one or more IAG and public meetings.
The court’s adjudication of the legal matter will transfer the 990 American Legion Highway proposed project from the court back to the City, and will reopen the future of Crane Ledge Woods for public participation and positive advocacy for the public benefit acquisition option. Either way, a (likely truncated) window for public comment should re-open in the near future.
Freed from the constraints of a legal proceeding, residents, Mayor Wu and her administration will again be free to fully engage with the developer and property-owner Jubilee Christian Church to achieve the positive, win-win resolution the Coalition has long advocated.
CLWC OPEN COMMUNITY MEETING
The CLWC Steering Team is asking at this time that supporters save the date of Wednesday, May 7, 6:00-7:30 PM for a conversation on the status of the project and best avenues for advocacy. This date could change, depending on how the case unfolds. We will keep you posted.
CLEAN UP DAY ON MAY 10TH at 10:00-11:00 am
Keep Hyde Park Beautiful and Keep Roslindale Beautiful volunteers will be joining forces to clean up American Legion Highway, around the area our two communities meet. Join in! No registration necessary. Meet up at the Walgreens parking lot at 980 American Legion. Bring work gloves and a rolling cart if you have one. All other supplies/tools will be provided.
Together we can save Crane Ledge Woods!
Crane Ledge Woods Coalition (CLWC)
T: 617.690.7848
E: craneledgeinfo@gmail.com
W: www.savecraneledgewoods.org
