Shen acknowledged these concerns.

“At this moment, this plan would not be approved by the BRA,” he said.

But Shen also said that he believes the IMP will solidify over time and he urged community members to be patient with the University.

“This is a process and an ongoing exchange we are engaging in, so that by soliciting feedback from the community we can create a project that benefits everyone,” he said.

The University also presented more specific details about the Barry’s Corner Housing and Retail Commons. The proposed residential buildings will likely be comprised of three buildings ranging from five to ten stories.

This announcement drew concern from many residents, who said that they were not expecting the residential density that such tall buildings would entail.

“I’m having a really hard time understanding why we are talking about such a dense area when Harvard owns so much of the surrounding land,” Task Force member Kathy Campbell said.

At the meeting’s close, Shen announced that two Task Force members, John Cusack and John Bruno, will serve alongside five University administrators on the selection committee for Harvard’s development partner for Barry’s Corner.

—Staff writer Mercer R. Cook can be reached at mcook@college.harvard.edu