Downtown Boston Zoning Plan Faces Opposition โOver height Limits
A proposed zoning plan for downtown Boston โขis drawing criticism from elected officialsโ 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 housingโ development through increased height allowances, but opponents fear it will lead to overly tall โคbuildings in sensitive neighborhoods.
State Representative aaron Michlewitz, a North end Democrat and ally of Mayor Michelle Wu, has publicly voiced his โคopposition to the plan. Several other elected officials have called for a pause โขin the voting process to allow for revisions addressing community concerns.City councilor julia Mejia expressed concerns from constituents who “don’t want to turn โฃBoston into new York,” โhighlighting a โdesire to preserve the city’s unique identity.
The Downtown โBoston Neighborhood Association has been notably vocal, issuing a letter calling the plan “destructive” โand urgingโ the BPDA board to delay a vote. While the group supportsโ taller โbuildings in the Financial District, eastโ of Washington Street – anโค areaโ traditionally suited for such development – they strongly oppose allowing buildingsโฃ of 500 to 700 feetโ in โคthe Ladder Blocks and โPark Plaza โคneighborhoods 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 โspecific times of the day.
City Planning Chief Arthur Shen has defended the plan, characterizing the criticism as an “overreaction” and emphasizing itsโ potential to increase downtown housing. He stated the โฃproposed regulations would align with height limits set by the Federalโ Aviationโฃ Management (FAA) and theโฃ state shadow law, cappingโ heights at 500 feet along the Washington Street corridor. Theโ plan proposes a baseline height limit of 155 feet in the “sky-low” district north and west of โคWashington Street, with exceptions up toโฃ 500 feet for residential developments along the โWashington Street corridor.
Mayor Wu and Shen reiterated these points in a joint letter to downtown โฃstakeholders prior to theโค scheduled BPDA vote, arguing that allowing for evolution is crucial toโ preservingโ downtown’s function โand character.
The Downtown โคBoston Neighborhood Association has proposed limiting height exceptions โขin the “historically sensitive” sky corridorโข to 300 feet, rather than the 500 feet currently proposed.
The city previously secured anโค exemption from the shadow law โฃin 2017 for the construction of Millennium Tower, a 685-foot โขluxury condominium building atโ the Winthrop โsquare Garage site. Notably, then-City Council President Michelle Wuโข voted against granting that exemption.
Currently,โฃ only three buildings in Boston exceed 700 feet: the John Hancock Tower (790 feet), theโฃ Prudential Tower (750โ feet), andโ Oneโฃ Dalton (742 feet), all located in theโ Back Bay.
(Originally Published: september 18, 2025 atโค 7:50 PM EDT)