Downtown Boston Zoning Plan Faces Opposition Over height Limits
A proposed zoning plan for downtown Boston is drawing criticism from elected officials and community groups concerned about its potential impact on the city’s historic character. The plan, spearheaded by the Boston Planning & Advancement Agency (BPDA), aims to encourage downtown housing development through increased height allowances, but opponents fear it will lead to overly tall buildings in sensitive neighborhoods.
State Representative aaron Michlewitz, a North end Democrat and ally of Mayor Michelle Wu, has publicly voiced his opposition to the plan. Several other elected officials have called for a pause in the voting process to allow for revisions addressing community concerns.City councilor julia Mejia expressed concerns from constituents who “don’t want to turn Boston into new York,” highlighting a desire to preserve the city’s unique identity.
The Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association has been notably vocal, issuing a letter calling the plan “destructive” and urging the BPDA board to delay a vote. While the group supports taller buildings in the Financial District, east of Washington Street – an area traditionally suited for such development – they strongly oppose allowing buildings of 500 to 700 feet in the Ladder Blocks and Park Plaza neighborhoods west of Washington Street, areas adjacent to Boston Common.
Concerns center on potential violations of the state’s 1990 shadow law, which restricts new shadows cast upon Boston Common and Public Garden during specific times of the day.
City Planning Chief Arthur Shen has defended the plan, characterizing the criticism as an “overreaction” and emphasizing its potential to increase downtown housing. He stated the proposed regulations would align with height limits set by the Federal Aviation Management (FAA) and the state shadow law, capping heights at 500 feet along the Washington Street corridor. The plan proposes a baseline height limit of 155 feet in the “sky-low” district north and west of Washington Street, with exceptions up to 500 feet for residential developments along the Washington Street corridor.
Mayor Wu and Shen reiterated these points in a joint letter to downtown stakeholders prior to the scheduled BPDA vote, arguing that allowing for evolution is crucial to preserving downtown’s function and character.
The Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association has proposed limiting height exceptions in the “historically sensitive” sky corridor to 300 feet, rather than the 500 feet currently proposed.
The city previously secured an exemption from the shadow law in 2017 for the construction of Millennium Tower, a 685-foot luxury condominium building at the Winthrop square Garage site. Notably, then-City Council President Michelle Wu voted against granting that exemption.
Currently, only three buildings in Boston exceed 700 feet: the John Hancock Tower (790 feet), the Prudential Tower (750 feet), and One Dalton (742 feet), all located in the Back Bay.
(Originally Published: september 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM EDT)