The project, proposed by MQMF High Park LLC and designed by Hefner Architects, planned to create 204 units of workforce housing across nine garden-style buildings. The design intended to integrate with the site’s topography, featuring a significant grade change and retaining 58% of the area as usable open space. Despite the adjustments from an original proposal of 270 units, the board found the revised design wanting. Concerns included the project’s suburban aesthetic, which clashed with the urban context, and the absence of meaningful pedestrian pathways. Additionally, the development’s reliance on tuck-under garages was seen as inconsistent with the desired urban character.

Community feedback played a role in the board’s decision. Public comments highlighted the loss of 14 acres of wooded space, potential flooding risks, and the project’s potential to contribute to gentrification. Frank O’Brien from the Crane Ledgewoods Coalition noted the applicant’s inclination towards an as-of-right project due to BPDA’s design approach, while Rick Yoder argued that the development was not supported by the mayor’s office or surrounding neighborhoods, emphasizing the unaffordability of proposed rents for the working-class community.

Following the rejection, the commissioners transitioned to a review of the Austin Street lots project. This project involved a master plan and phase one building design that had undergone multiple iterations since early 2024. The board focused on ensuring the project aligned with the goals of creating a vibrant urban landscape, with particular emphasis on environmental sustainability and community engagement. The Austin Street project seeks to integrate landscape spaces for interaction and play, reflecting urban character through robust architectural language and compliance with neighborhood scale.

During the meeting, the board also discussed proposed amendments to the Wentworth Institute’s Institutional Master Plan (IMP), emphasizing the need for alignment with strategic campus goals and financial feasibility. The Pike Residence Hall was a focal point, with the board reviewing design changes intended to enhance student community and address housing capacity. The board examined the interaction between pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Concerns were raised about the building’s massing and its impact on the surrounding environment, with a call for shadow studies and isometric views to better understand the proposal’s integration with existing structures and urban form.

The ongoing evolution of the New Rutherford Avenue developments was also on the agenda, with discussions around the project’s impact on climate change, flooding, and urban landscape creation. The board examined the project’s transformation from conceptual designs to refined architectural elements, emphasizing pedestrian-friendly scales and the potential for promoting arts and culture. Material quality, particularly brickwork, was highlighted as essential for maintaining architectural quality throughout the development phases. The design team faced suggestions for refining street design to avoid a suburban feel and ensuring parking strategies aligned with city planning priorities.