Waltham Council Recesses 220 Moody Street Hotel Hearing to February 23

WALTHAM — January 12, 2026 — Waltham City Council recessed a public hearing on a proposed five-story, 42-room boutique hotel at 220 Moody Street to February 23, referring the matter to the Ordinance and Rules Committee. Developer Michael Columba of McCall LLC has owned the site for 11 years and is seeking a special permit for an increased floor-area ratio of 4.82, along with variances already granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for setbacks, building height, proximity to the Charles River walk, and parking reduced from 56 required spaces to 29. Consultant Paul Finger said the project would generate an estimated 622 average weekday vehicle trips. Councilor Kathy Ann Harris pressed the applicants on traffic impact, calling it "a very important project, very complicated project." One resident, Jay Burnsey of 86 Orange Street, spoke in opposition, citing pedestrian safety on a corridor that Councilor Emma Zumas noted ranks in the top 5 percent of both pedestrian and bicycle crash clusters citywide. In separate action, the council approved a $6.8 million loan authorization for utility and roadway reconstruction at 200 Fellow Road by a 14-0 roll-call vote and adopted a noise ordinance amendment 14-0 on third and final reading.