Belmont warrant briefing previews center rezoning votes

Warrant Briefing · Meeting of February 26, 2026

Belmont town meeting members grilled planning officials on parking and design ahead of a March vote on rezoning Belmont Center. Planning Board Chair Thayer Donham and Director of Planning and Building Chris Ryan defended the proposed form-based zoning code, which would require ground-floor storefronts and a second commercial floor in exchange for by-right development. Warrant Committee Chair Paul Richter reported his committee's vote split 6-6 with four abstentions, while the Planning Board voted unanimously in favor.

Resident Peg Callahan asked "where will they park their cars" if 500 housing units and 1,200 employees arrive in one block; Lisa Pargoli said she had "a real difficult time believing" residents would give up cars. A companion article would allow a hotel of up to 150 rooms and 55.5 feet on Concord Avenue. Town meeting convenes March 4 at the Chenery Upper Elementary School.

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Source: the Warrant Briefing meeting of February 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.