The effort to preserve the character of Wellesley's oldest and longest scenic road continues as the town's Planning Board resumes its review of the application by Boston Real Estate Capital to develop the parcels identified as 194 and 196 Pond Road into two private mega manses, roughly 9,000 square feet each, 2,000 square feet greater than the size permitted by right.  

At previous Planning Board meetings on this matter, as concerned residents, we have expressed our view that the proposed development poses an "existential threat" to Pond Road as a scenic road.  Walkers, runners, cyclists and motorists who seek out Pond Road for its forest-like scenery fear the loss of the historic canopy from the permanent destruction of shade trees in the path of the proposed construction. The proposed development clearly fails to meet half of the written standards required by the Large House Review Zoning By-law, including sections regarding i. Preservation of the Landscape, ii. Scale of Buildings, and iii. Open Space.  Furthermore, we worry about public safety and inconvenience caused by the necessity for oversized delivery and cement trucks accessing the sites by swinging into and blocking the road during construction, which would persist for many months.

By signing this petition, we are expressing our objection to the assault on the scenic road and the removal of trees and forest canopy which have delighted generations of passersby, supplanting them with two oversized houses roughly 60 feet from the edge of the scenic road.

We encourage all concerned citizens to participate in the upcoming public hearing to be held by the Planning Board and the Natural Resources Commission on Monday, October 5, 2020 beginning at 6:30 p.m virtually online:

https://www.wellesleymedia.org/live-streaming.html

The meeting will be live on local cable TV Comcast 9/Verizon 39

Webinar ID:  849 5779 8334     Passcode:  641454

You may follow the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84957798334?pwd=SGJmMmN2aEZtTmRhdUp0Ykt0c0RuQT09

Residents seeking to participate in Citizen Speak should email Don McCauley, Planning Director at dmccauley@wellesleyma.gov prior to the meeting.

The application, plans, and other materials may be reviewed:

https://www.wellesleyma.gov/1479/Planning-Board-Applications-Under-Review