Boston Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Boston held 20 public meetings covering zoning matters. 28 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 27 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 5% compared to April (457 activity items across 23 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Occupancy interpretation at 87 West 7th Street

Deferred.

Interpretation dispute over whether derelict three-story building is one-, two-, or three-family. ISD commissioner determined two-family but indicated he may revoke and revert to single-family based on a 1981 permit received the day prior. Applicant Jim O'Donohue (rep. Joe Hanley) argued precode three-family. Deferred to May 19 for parties to confer. Roll call all yes.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Two attached townhouses at 101 Edgemere Road

Approved.

Approved construction of two attached townhouses, each ~31 feet high, three bed two bath, on a 6,200 sq ft vacant parcel in West Roxbury. Five zoning violations including excessive FAR, height (stories), insufficient side yard, usable open space, and forbidden use (1F6000 district).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

12-unit transit-oriented building at 2038 Dorchester Avenue

Approved.

Approved four-story 12-unit building (six one-bed, six two-bed) with ground floor retail/office, near Ashmont Station. Scaled down from 24 to 18 to 12 units. Nine variances sought including Article 65 multifamily forbidden. Two affordable units per IDP. Lower Mills Civic Association opposed citing density, parking, height. Six-member board (one recused).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Three-story office/retail building at 1195-1199 Dorchester Avenue

Approved.

Approved combining parcels, demolishing structure at 2 Greenmount St, erecting a three-story building for offices and retail on ~12,100 sq ft lot straddling neighborhood shopping and 3FD 3000 sub-districts. 12 parking spaces off Greenmount Street. FAR proposed 1.6 vs required 1.0/1.3. Six-member board (one recused).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Three-family dwelling at 18 Drummond Street

Approved.

Approved erecting a three-family dwelling (two bed, one bath, home ownership units) on a vacant lot in a 3F5000 sub-district on a dead-end portion of Drummond St. Violations: FAR (1.9 vs 0.8 required), side yard, rear yard setback (3 ft vs 30 required), no off-street parking. Dudley Street initiative opposed due to absence of affordable units.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Four-unit addition at 73 Sanchin Street

Approved.

Approved adding four units to a two-family property using adjacent lot purchased from city via RFP, for total six units. Four two-bed and two duplex three-bed units. Relief for insufficient parking, forbidden use, excessive FAR, insufficient lot area per unit, front and rear yard setbacks. Commitment to maintain historic wall and oak tree. Community Alliance of Mission Hill supports.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Cannabis permit name change at 19-21 Milk Street

Approved.

Approved changing petitioner name on existing conditional use permit for cannabis dispensary from John Moriarty to Curaleaf Massachusetts Inc. BCB approved license March 25, 2026; host community agreement executed May 11, 2026. Board clarified no buffer zone issue as site has operated as cannabis establishment since 2016 (Patriot Care, now The Cannabis).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Article 80E small project approval, 419 Boylston Street office-to-residential conversion

Approved.

Issued certification of approval under Article 80E small project review and approved a 121B pilot agreement for the 419 Boylston Street conversion (Monarch Development, proponent) in the Back Bay; converting a vacant eight-story, 48,405 sq ft office building into 41 residential rental units (27 studios, 14 one-bedrooms) over approximately 37,385 sq ft, retaining ground-floor retail. Approved on a voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 28 recorded zoning decisions. See all Boston meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change at Chinatown neighborhood, Boston (zoning map 1C) (Boston Planning and Development Agency)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 143 instances
• zoning: 98 instances
• commercial: 48 instances
• setback: 18 instances
• industrial: 17 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 211% from April.
• Industrial is new this month with 17 mentions, not present in April.

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