By ELLIS IURILLI-HOUGH
MELROSE — As the summer season begins to wind down, residential construction in Melrose’s Ward 1 is ramping up.
As it stands, 12 new residential buildings have been proposed in Ward 1, 10 of which have been approved by the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The remaining two (34-55 Summit Ave., 554-556 Franklin St.) are in various stages of the approval process, and will likely be approved after public hearings in mid-August. The city has already broken ground on several of these projects, including “The Ella” at 453 Franklin St., which has been recently completed, 521 Franklin St., and 14-24 Tremont St.
The ZBA, which approves exemptions from city zoning law, has allowed many of the residences to be constructed under Chapter 40B of state housing law. The statute lifts certain zoning restrictions if at least 20-25% of a building’s units are guaranteed as affordable housing. In Melrose, these are reserved for households with incomes 80% or less of the listed area median income. The project at 28 Greenwood St., a 40-unit complex that includes and preserves a historic house, will list all units as affordable. Of the 538 new units being constructed in Ward 1, 259, approximately 48%, will count as affordable housing.
Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 city councilor, said that construction decisions rest primarily with the Planning Board and the ZBA, not with the City Council.
“The [City] Council’s influence is primarily legislative: it sets the zoning laws and policies that guide what kinds of development are allowed and where,” she said. “This includes approving changes to the zoning code or zoning map, often based on recommendations from the Planning Board and following public hearings. While the council can adopt broader development-related ordinances—such as those related to affordable housing, parking requirements, or sustainability—it does not weigh in on the design or approval of specific proposals.”
According to Karamcheti, the substantial amount of residential additions in Ward 1 will bring some tax revenue to the city, but not enough to significantly alter the city’s deficit.
“Any taxable new development in Ward 1 would contribute to Melrose’s overall new growth total, but not dramatically change the city’s revenue situation,” she said. “Without a successful override or debt exclusion, property tax revenues will remain capped under Proposition 2 1⁄2 limiting impact—even if Ward 1 sees incremental development.”
A new override to Proposition 2 1⁄2, the 1980 Massachusetts legislation that caps the annual tax levy increase at 2.5%, will be on the ballot in November. If the override is passed, the new developments across Melrose might bring an abundance of property tax revenue to the city. However, residential property taxes are not the only way for the city to collect money. Currently, “The Ella” is the only housing project with a commercial space, however, five additional residences in Ward 1 will have capacity for more. A large portion of Melrose’s industry already sits in Ward 1, but given the city’s 95% residential tax base, Karamcheti mentioned that increased commercial space is worth considering.
“There is mixed sentiment in Ward 1 about adding commercial spaces to these developments,” she said. “Some residents like the idea of having more options for dining, shopping, and services, however many have concerns as to how commercial spaces would impact parking, traffic, and the residential aspects of the neighborhood.”
The potential concerns she mentioned are not without merit. In 2023, real estate developer OnPoint Capital commissioned the Transportation Impact Assessment in preparation for the mixed use development at 272 Tremont Street. The building, sitting within a half-mile radius of five other developments, will impact congestion in the area. The report stated that “the Project is expected to generate 76 vehicle trips on an average weekday, with 7 vehicle trips expected during the weekday morning peak hour and 10 vehicle trips expected during the weekday evening peak hour.”
“As the city councilor for Ward 1, I have major concerns about safety, speeding, traffic and congestion as do most Ward 1 residents,” Karamcheti added. “Much outreach and advocacy is happening in this area, publicly and behind the scenes. The city is aware and working on solutions as well.”
The neighboring cities of Stoneham and Wakefield are also undertaking their own projects down the street from Ward 1. The Devon, a 259 unit development at the former Weiss Farm, sits less than half a mile away from the border of Melrose. The construction was approved in 2023 after 11 years of negotiations and permit review—starting in July, the first apartments are now being leased. Just north in Wakefield, Lake Quannapowitt will host its own 440 unit development known as “The Basin.” Construction started in 2023, and the first units will be available to rent in 2025, according to the developer’s website.
When asked about the impact of these construction projects on Ward 1 in Melrose, the Office of Planning and Community Development did not respond. Still, many people in City Hall, including Karamcheti, are willing to answer the community’s questions.
“The City of Melrose website, specifically the City Planning Department is the place where all this information resides and is publicly available,” Karamcheti said. “The agendas for the Planning Board and Zoning Board are excellent sources of information and supporting documents. There are Facebook groups that share updates as well.”
For questions and concerns, residents can contact their ward’s city councilor, the Mayor’s office, or the Planning Board and ZBA.