Planning Initiatives

South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment

Chapter 91 of the M.G.L. and 310 CMR 9.00, the Waterways Regulations, protects the public’s rights on private and Commonwealth tidelands. Municipal harbor planning allows municipalities certain flexibility with the Waterways Regulations. The Commonwealth recognizes that each harbor within the Commonwealth is unique and encourages municipalities to develop long-term, comprehensive plans that are tailored to its own harbor but also consistent with state waterways and tidelands policies. The MHP, along with the City’s zoning power and the Article 80 review process, is a powerful tool that the City has at its disposal to implement its harbor vision.

In December 2000, the Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs issued a Decision on the South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan. In his Decision, the Secretary conditioned the approval of the Fort Point Historic South and Fort Point Industrial Sub-districts upon the completion of a master plan for the area, one which would be achieved through the City’s coordination with Gillette as well as other landowners and stakeholders in the area. The draft 100 Acres Master Plan represents a continuation of the planning process of the South Boston Waterfront and further honing of the objectives outlined in the 2000 South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan for this portion of the Fort Point Channel.

The principles upon which the City, the South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee, and the Secretary of Environmental Affairs based their work in the development of the South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan are to: enhance open space access; avoid privatization of the shoreline; minimize adverse effects of wind and shadow; clearly identify substitutions and quantifiable offsets to ensure enforceability; promote offsets that are valued by the public consistent with those expressed in public comments; and ensure that developments are carried out in a manner that protects public rights in both filled and flowed tidelands. The Secretary’s Decision anticipated the potential need for further substitutions in the Municipal Harbor Plan of Chapter 91 standards for dimensional and use requirements.

The 100 Acres Master Plan Area contains one-half mile of waterfront edge within Chapter 91 jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Municipal Harbor Plan applies to the land between the Fort Point Channel and A Street. The Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment Area covers the Fort Point Historic South and the Fort Point Industrial Sub-districts, as described in the South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan. These combined districts are bounded by Summer Street on the north, A Street on the east, West Second Street and Dorchester Avenue on the south and the Fort Point Channel on the west. The Amendment Area is wholly within the 100 Acres Master Plan boundary.

1. FINAL SBMHP Amendment with Decision
   
2. CZM Public Hearing Presentation – June 1, 2009
   
3. South Boston MHP Amendment May 2009
   
4. Final Draft Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment (October 2006)
   
5. MHPAC October 18_06 mtg mins
   
6. MHPAC October 4_06 mtg mins
   
7. MHPAC September 27_06 mtg mins
   
8. MHPAC August 9_06 mtg mins
   
9. MHPAC June 21_06 mtg mins
   
10. Powerpoint Presentation from Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee Meeting on June 21, 2006
    
11. Power Point Presentation from Municipal Harbor Planning Advisory Committee meeting on September 27, 2006