BC housing plan has wide backing

Newton's positive experience with BC dorms shows the fears of Brighton residents are speculative, says the writer. (Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)

Your Aug. 10 article "BC cites legacy of Newton dorms" gave the misleading impression that Brighton residents are virtually unanimous in opposing Boston College's housing plan. This is not true and it begs for correction.

As a longtime community activist in Brighton who knows the neighborhood quite well, I can attest that the vast majority of residents, especially those affected by BC student rentals, are relieved and grateful that BC is finally taking the responsibility for housing their students (100 percent within 10 years). This is long overdue, and definitely good news for Brighton.

Your reporter's impression that the locals are unhappy was based on her observation of a few, mostly poorly attended public meetings, where some individuals, who fear that new dorms may be a source of problems, voiced their opposition. However, those fears are purely speculative, and cannot be supported by any evidence (as your article indirectly confirms by citing the generally positive experience with BC dorms in Newton).

One needs to remember that light attendance in meetings usually indicates that residents either do not strongly object to, or even support, the proposal that's on the table, though often with caveats.

Anyone who has ever wished for a better, homeowner-friendly Brighton understands that BC's housing plan is a step in the right direction. The remaining concerns (dorms' size and design, fair distribution of beds, and proper oversight of students) will no doubt be worked out during the City of Boston project review process.

Eva M. Webster
Brighton