Map Amendment Application No. 780 and a petition for approval of the 3rd Amendment to the Northeastern University 2013-2023 Institutional Master Plan

ZONING HEARING

The Zoning Commission of the City of Boston hereby gives notice, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, that a virtual public hearing will be held on April 24, 2024, at 9:30 A.M., in connection with Map Amendment Application No. 780 and a petition for approval of the 3rd Amendment to the Northeastern University 2013-2023 Institutional Master Plan (“Third Amendment”), filed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

Said map amendment would amend Map 6A/6B/6C, Roxbury Neighborhood District, by: 1) By deleting the “PDA Designation”, indicating a Planned Development Area overlay district for Master Plan and Development Impact Project Plan for Planned Development Area No. 34, Ruggles Center (PDA Master Plan No. 34), from the existing 840 Columbus Avenue parcel and adjacent parcel: and 2) By adding the “Institutional Master Plan Area” overlay designation to 840 Columbus Avenue and the remaining portion of the adjacent parcel (the other portion of which is currently shown on the Zoning Map as being within the Northeastern Institutional Master Plan Area).

Said Third Amendment proposes to include an approximately 445,200 square foot, 23-story mixed-use building containing an active community focused ground floor with student housing located above, anticipated to accommodate up to approximately 1,370 beds, as well as a student amenity space on the second floor. The Third Amendment will also provide public realm improvements including upgrades to sidewalk materials and furnishings, dedicated bicycle facilities, street trees, and enhanced street-level lighting. In addition, the proposed Third Amendment to Northeastern IMP includes (i) a lease of the building formerly known as the South Tower of the Sheraton Boston Hotel located at 39 Dalton Street whereby the University will lease approximately 250,000 square feet within the building, and (ii) the Renaissance Park Renovation Project consisting of interior renovations of Floors 5-8 of the Renaissance Park building by converting approximately 75,000 SF of formerly leased office space back to University uses.

This meeting will only be held virtually and not in person. You can participate in this meeting by going to https://bit.ly/BZC_Apr242024. Copies of the petition, the Third Amendment, and a map of the area involved may be obtained from the Zoning Commission electronically, and you may also submit written comments or questions to zoningcommission@boston.gov.

Interpreting services are available to communicate information at this hearing. If you require interpreting services, please contact the following: zoningcommission@boston.gov or 617-918-4308. The meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2024. Please request interpreting services no later than April 19, 2024.

For the Commission
Jeffrey M. Hampton
Executive Secretary