Property Manager Proposes Buying Portion of High School Parking Lot

A Waltham-based real estate company has proposed buying 5,168 square feet of land from to transform into an extended parking lot for an adjacent building. 

In a letter to the School Committee, Waltham-based Eastport Real Estate Services asks officials to evaluate whether the land behind  is of any use to the schools.

The property, located between 22 Mill Street Condominium Association and the high school on Millbrook Drive, is overgrown with trees, weeds and trash.

"There are 3-4 paved parking spaces that abut Milbrook Drive that are used by Arlington High School personnel," wrote Susan Willis, property manager for 22 Mill Street Condominium Association, in a letter to the School Committee. "22 Mill Street is willing to clean up the area, excavate, pave and stripe the new lot at its expense."

Willis added there is severe parking space shortage in the area of her building, which has been managed by Eastport Real Estate Services for 10 years. The company wants to either enter into a long-term lease agreement or purchase the small lot.

According to the letter, Arlington Planning Director Carol Kowalski said the School Committee has to first state it has no purpose for the land, in order for developers to negotiate with town officials about purchasing or leasing the property.

Transering the land over to town administration would also require two thirds of the votes at Town Meeting.

School Committee Chair Cindy Starks said Tuesday that the issue has been recommended to the Community Relations Subcommittee, chaired by Leba Heighman.

The subcommittee will be discussed and likely sent to the full School Committee in December, Starks added.