Boston Sand & Gravel Files Lawsuit Against Charlestown Housing Development
Charlestown, MA – Boston Sand & Gravel has filed a lawsuit opposing plans for a new apartment complex at the Austin Street Lots, citing safety concerns related to heavy truck traffic.
The Boston Planning & Development Agency approved the project, which aims to construct up to 705 apartments near Bunker Hill Community College. The development will replace existing surface parking lots and includes public open spaces.
According to the company, the redevelopment site spans approximately five acres near New Rutherford Avenue. City officials and housing advocates support the location as ideal for transit-oriented housing, with plans for four residential buildings. About 60% of the apartments are proposed to be income-restricted, with the first building set to include 123 fully affordable units.
Boston Sand & Gravel operates an industrial facility nearby, utilizing a narrow roadway known as Maintenance Road for daily truck operations. The company claims established easement rights allow them to transport materials via this route, which involves heavy trucks weighing nearly 100,000 pounds.
The lawsuit contends the approved housing plan introduces pedestrian and bicycle crossings directly in conflict with truck routes, posing a risk of serious accidents. The company has previously raised these concerns during the permitting process and offered alternative designs, which were reportedly rejected.
City officials assert that the project underwent extensive public scrutiny, addressing safety issues during planning. They emphasize the importance of the development in meeting Boston's housing demands.
City Councilor Gabriela Coletta supports the housing initiative while advocating for enhanced pedestrian safety measures along New Rutherford Avenue. She insists that both housing and safety can coexist in the area.
The legal matter is now before Suffolk Superior Court, where a judge will determine whether the approved project unlawfully infringes upon Boston Sand & Gravel's easement rights or poses unreasonable safety risks. Until a decision is reached, the BPDA's approval remains, although additional reviews are necessary for later project phases.