Planning Board Mulls Medical Building Proposal

September 21, 2023
• Neighbors fear redevelopment is bringing too much traffic to their doorsteps, but proponents feel it can be managed.

This month, the Needham Planning Board began to review a redevelopment plan for a proposed medical building at 629-661 Highland Avenue. Consolidating many buildings into one with a smaller footprint, the project checks many of the boxes for the planned growth of the site, including having a purpose consistent with the zoning district and meeting dimensional requirements. However, neighbors are resistant, concerned that the traffic generated will impact their residential neighborhoods negatively, and potentially create unsafe conditions as people try to get to and from the site.