It is universal throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 40B permits that require section 61, chapter 32, Department of Environmental Protection Review, for any proposed changes in the development proposal, they must return before the Belmont Zoning Board for a hearing.

Because of the many changes to the original proposal of Research and Development proposal by Brian O’Neill Properties, the developer and contractors must go through a Notice of Project Change (NPC) and an entirely new MEPA process in order to get the Housing project permitted.

The Mystic River watershed’s waterways, within which the new housing development is proposed, and the unique environmental wetlands that surround the new housing proposal, require a MEPA review according to Section 61, environmental laws of Massachusetts by Department of Environmental Protection.

Because the 40 B laws put all decision-making responsibility for environmental Review in the hands of the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals, we expect you to uphold this environmental scrutiny to the highest environmental standards of the state of Massachusetts.

MEPA, as state agency, covers the thresholds of state environmental laws.

You are required to pay very close attention to these matters of change proposals which the proponents of the Belmont Uplands development 40B housing project has fully undertaken.

WE request that the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals will withhold its decision to grant permits while the MEPA process is under review.