Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has vetoed a zoning measure that would allow the conversion of the city's largest office park into 1,200 housing units.
The veto, issued in July 2026, stems from concerns over density and local traffic congestion.
The measure targets the Bay Colony commercial site along Route 128, part of a broader proposal to transform three aging commercial districts into 2,100 residential units.
Real estate firm BXP and developer J & CO LLC proposed rezoning 155 acres of commercial space to address soaring office vacancies, which recently forced Waltham to raise its residential tax rate by 5 percent.
The Waltham City Council unanimously passed the three new zoning frameworks in June to encourage suburban redevelopment, but McCarthy halted the largest component.
The full council is scheduled to consider overriding her veto at a special meeting on Monday.
Mayor's Concerns and Council Response
In an official letter to the council, McCarthy questioned the layout choices for the massive suburban project and cited broader municipal infrastructure strains.
"Why, with all the land that is available on the site, was it placed so close to the existing neighborhood?"
she wrote.
City leaders expressed deep frustration over the rejection, warning that failing to proceed could jeopardize millions in state infrastructure funds and halt major housing progress.
"We are at a crossroads in our city — our growth is stagnant," said City Councilor Cathyann Harris.
"And we are in a unique position with all of this underutilized office space to do something about it and transform the city for the future.
To waste the opportunity would be a shame."
Negotiations with developers had previously secured commitments for key local infrastructure improvements, including dedicated land for a new fire and EMS station alongside road upgrades.
Municipal leaders emphasized the long-term necessity of adapting empty corporate sites into functional residential neighborhoods.
"It is incumbent upon Waltham to grow as a city," said City Councilor Colleen Bradley-MacArthur. "You don't get many opportunities to build new neighborhoods."
If the city council fails to override the mayor's veto on Monday, planning for the 1,200-unit site will return to its initial stages, indefinitely delaying development.
