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: 28 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was up 6% compared to April (453 activity items across 23 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Two attached townhouses at 101 Edgemere Rd

Approved.

Approved construction of two attached townhouses on vacant parcel in West Roxbury. Each unit approximately 31 feet high, three bedroom, two bath, with grade slab parking. Property surrounded by Jewish cemetery association. Applicant represented by Attorney Francis Adams.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

12-unit mixed-use building at 2038 Dorchester Ave

Approved.

Approved four-story building with ground floor retail and 12 residential units (six one-bedroom, six two-bedroom) near Ashmont Station. Developer Marie Guerrier represented by Attorney Ernst Guerriere. Two units designated affordable per IDP. Units will be condos promoting homeownership.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Six-unit expansion at 73 Sanchin St, Mission Hill

Approved.

Approved addition of four units to existing two-family using adjacent lot purchased from City of Boston through RFP process. Total six units including two duplex three-bed units and four two-bed units. Historic wall and oak tree to be maintained per city commitment.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Cannabis dispensary name change at 19-21 Milk St

Approved.

Approved change of petitioner name on existing conditional use permit from John Moriarty to Curaleaf Massachusetts Inc. Boston Cannabis Board approved license March 25, 2026; host community agreement executed May 11, 2026. Site has operated as cannabis dispensary since 2016.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Five-unit expansion at 70 Oakland St

Approved.

Approved two-story rear addition to convert three-unit building to five units with five covered parking spaces. FAR increases from 0.64 to 1.05. Rear yard reduced from 76.5 feet to 17.7 feet. Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association opposed due to density concerns.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Office/retail building at 1195-1199 Dorchester Ave

Approved.

Approved combining parcels and erecting three-story building for offices and retail. 12 parking spaces proposed off Greenmount St. Ground floor retail with small-scale office space on upper floors. Existing nail salon tenant to relocate into building.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

West End Library Redevelopment at 151 Cambridge St.

Approved.

POA and Cass Capital approved for 121A project to demolish existing library and construct 14-story mixed-use building with 119 income-restricted rental units (below 80% AMI) and 19,000 SF new library branch. No on-site parking; 160 bicycle spaces. Includes new outdoor plaza adjacent to historic Otis House.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Office-to-Residential Conversion at 419 Boylston St.

Approved.

Monarch Development approved to convert 8-story vacant office building (48,405 SF) into 41 residential rental units (27 studios, 14 one-bedrooms) with ground floor retail retained. 43 resident bike parking spaces, 8 exterior visitor spaces. Part of Downtown Residential Conversion Incentive Pilot Program.

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

• 1F6000 (single-family) → Multifamily use variance at 94-94B Rock St, West Roxbury (James Guerriere)
• 1F6000 (single-family) → Townhouse/row house use (MFR sub-district), 6,200 square feet acres at 101 Edgemere Rd, West Roxbury (Attorney Francis Adams for owner)
• Existing two-family → 12-unit multifamily with ground floor retail at 2038 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester (Marie Guerrier)
• Vacant lot in 3F5000 → Three-family dwelling (conforming use) at 18 Drummond St, Dorchester (Attorney Derek Small)
• Two-family → Six-unit multifamily at 73 Sanchin St, Mission Hill (David Hassman)
• Three-unit → Five-unit multifamily at 70 Oakland St, Dorchester (Niem Nguyen)
• Neighborhood shopping/3FD 3000 split → Office and retail use with accessory parking, 12,100 square feet combined acres at 1195-1199 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester (Attorney Derek Small)
• 80 feet maximum height → 45 feet maximum height, 1,500 SF max floor plate, Approximately 3 blocks acres at Chinatown neighborhood - R1 Subdistrict (Johnny Court area, Tyler St. to Hudson St.) (BPDA Planning Department)

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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