BOSTON, MA — In a reluctant move, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) on Thursday approved a controversial 204-unit housing development in Hyde Park, following a state Land Court ruling that forced the agency’s hand. The decision was first reported by the Boston Business Journal’s Grant Welker.
The project, located at 990 American Legion Highway, sits on a wooded, ecologically significant parcel known as Crane Ledge Woods—a site long cherished by community members for its natural beauty and open space. Despite years of public opposition and an initial denial in 2023, the developer, Willow Bridge Property Co., sued the city, arguing the BPDA had overstepped its authority in demanding project changes.
According to the Boston Business Journal, Land Court Judge Kevin T. Smith sided with the developer in April, ruling that the BPDA could only impose “reasonable and appropriate conditions”—not the broader changes it had requested, such as including affordable housing and public recreational access.
Reluctant Approval Amid Deep Frustration
During Thursday’s BPDA board meeting, members expressed their frustration and sadness at having to approve the development, with Chair Priscilla Rojas appearing emotional as she read a statement explaining the board’s legal obligation to comply with the court’s decision.
“We wish the proponent had been more responsive to the numerous concerns raised by the community and by the staff,” Rojas said, as quoted by the Business Journal, “especially concerning the loss of open space, and even whether this design was consistent with zoning or the principles… of what we are trying to do in the city.”
Board member Kate Bennett echoed those concerns, stating, “A ‘yes’ vote for me does not support the project itself.” She criticized the developer’s failure to incorporate public feedback and community priorities into the final plan.
Member Matt O’Malley added, “It’s rare to have a proposal that has virtually no community support… Our hands are very, very tied in this.”
The only dissenting vote came from Ted Landsmark, who said he could find no justification for the development. Raheem Shepard abstained.
From Affordability to Exclusivity
Originally proposed in 2021, the project once included 41 affordable units. However, as the Business Journal notes, the judge’s ruling has rendered such provisions unenforceable under current zoning. As a result, the final development will consist entirely of market-rate units, with no affordable housing or public access to the wooded area.
The development will include 10 residential buildings on the hilly, forested land—a space local advocacy group Save Crane Ledge Woods has called “essential for the wellbeing of local residents, human and other-than-human alike.”
Developer Silent Amid Public Criticism
Willow Bridge, a Dallas-based real estate company with other Boston-area projects under its Alexan brand, was present at the meeting but did not respond to board members’ public remarks or media inquiries, Boston Business Journal reported. The company has not yet issued a public statement on the final approval or the ongoing community backlash.
Other BPDA Approvals
As also reported by the Boston Business Journal, the BPDA approved several other projects during Thursday’s meeting, including:
1 Mystic Ave., Charlestown: An 18-story, 423-unit development, slightly scaled down from its original plan.
181 W. First St., South Boston: A 144-unit project.
1198 Centre St., Roslindale: A 78-unit development.
43 Preble St., South Boston (Andrew Square): A 30-unit project.
1740 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park: A 42-unit development.
Despite the broader wave of new housing approvals, the Hyde Park case highlights the growing tension between local zoning control, judicial oversight, and community voices in Boston’s rapidly evolving housing landscape.
