Planning Board Reviews Mall Tenant Overhaul Plans
The Watertown Planning Board approved a two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit at 1517 Dexter Avenue and learned a previous master plan for housing and green space along Arsenal Street won't include the Watertown Mall, which National Development bought in October 2025.
Planning Board · Meeting of April 8, 2026
WATERTOWN — The Watertown Planning Board approved a two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit at 1517 Dexter Avenue and learned a previous master plan for housing and green space along Arsenal Street won't include the Watertown Mall, which National Development bought in October 2025. National Development's Nick O'Connor told the board the firm is pursuing a "tenant repositioning project" requiring a minor amendment to a 2007 special permit, headed to the Zoning Board of Appeals later this month. Plans include new signage, landscaping and an expanded Joyful Garden restaurant.
Resident Libby Shaw, citing the loss of planned green space, said of remaining trees near the Watertown Self-Storage lot, "we really would like to see those trees protected and preserved." The ADU vote, covering an 862-square-foot basement unit, passed unanimously.
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Source: the Planning Board meeting of April 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.
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