Zoning Board of Appeal - 2026-02-03
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal approved several residential development projects on February 3, 2026, including a 10-inch height adjustment for a four-story two-family dwelling at 4 Flint Springs Garden Street, an 18-unit office-to-residential conversion at 295-297 Franklin Street in Downtown Boston, and a lot subdivision at 24-28 Williams Avenue in Hyde Park creating two new two-family homes. The board also reaffirmed zoning relief for a 318-unit multifamily project at 22-24 Pratt Street in Allston.
Key Decisions (12)
Height adjustment at 4 Flint Springs Garden Street
De minimis 10-inch height adjustment approved for a four-story two-family dwelling, increasing total height from 37 feet to 37 feet 10 inches. The adjustment was recommended by the structural engineer to accommodate floor assembly systems. Original approval was for demolition of existing single-family home and erection of four-story two-family dwelling with garage on first floor.
Office-to-residential conversion at 295-297 Franklin Street
Conditional use permit approved for conversion of existing five-story commercial building (Bowker Building) to ground floor retail (750 sq ft) and 18 residential units (studios and one-bedrooms) on floors 1-5. Three units will be IDP-restricted at 60% AMI. Building is historically significant, constructed around 1870, located in national register custom house district. Applicant: Frank Rohlman Group LLC.
Lot subdivision at 24-28 Williams Avenue, Hyde Park
Approval for subdivision of 19,000 square foot lot into three parcels to create two new two-family homes at 24 and 28 Williams Avenue, with existing two-family at 26 Williams Avenue to remain. Applicants: Wenzel Marshall and Samuel Dushane, represented by Taj Development Company LLC. Relief granted for FAR, lot area, lot width, usable open space, front yard setback, and side yard setback violations.
Zoning relief reaffirmation at 22-24 Pratt Street, Allston
Board reaffirmed previously issued zoning relief and approved additional variance for multifamily dwelling use in 2F-5000 subdistrict for access driveway. Project consists of 318 units of multifamily housing with 54 affordable units. Developer needed supplemental variance because access drive is in split zoning district. No changes to previously approved project.
Vertical addition at 137 Cottage Street, East Boston
Approval for change of occupancy from three units to four units with vertical addition in Jeffreys Point section of East Boston. Property located in EBR-4 zoning subdistrict. Relief granted for rear yard setback (17.2 feet provided vs 16.4 feet required under shallow lot exception) and off-street parking (one space waived). Applicant: Nick Delibero, represented by Kevin Klutier.
Three-family dwelling at 191 Brook Street, East Boston
Approval for new three-story three-unit residential building in Eagle Hill section of East Boston. Originally proposed as four units, reduced to three units to comply with EBR-3 zoning. Building height of 42 feet exceeds 35-foot limit but is consistent with adjacent buildings on sloped lot. Lot was part of city's Butters Lots program. Applicant: Jorge Rodriguez.
Three-family dwelling at 69R Heron Street, Roxbury
Approval for new three-story three-unit residential building with three outdoor parking spaces on 6,040 square foot lot in 3F-4000 zoning subdistrict. Originally proposed as six units, reduced to three during community process. Relief granted for front yard setback (14 feet vs 20 feet required) and rear yard setback (11-12 feet vs 30 feet required). Applicant: Tim Longden.
Shed dormer addition at 180-182 Savin Hill Avenue
Approval for third-story shed dormer construction on Caspian Way side of building with no change to occupancy or footprint. Rear decks removed from proposal following collaboration with rear abutter at 5 Caspian Way. New curb cut for tandem EV parking on right side of building. Applicant: Christopher Thomasini.
Extensions granted for multiple cases
Extensions granted for cases at 125 Ordinance Street (BOA89907493), 970 Saratoga Street (BOA1171660 and BOA1509717), 9 Kingswood Street (BOA1409103), 1270 Commonwealth Avenue (BOA1539718), and 1208C VFW Parkway (BOA1536698).
Deferral of 567-577 Adams Street
Case BOA1790972 deferred to March 10 at applicant's request due to issues around community support that applicant wishes to address.
Deferral of 110 West Concord Street
Case BOA1760013 deferred to March 10 at applicant's request due to ongoing conversations with director abutter.
Deferral of 62-66 Condor Street interpretation
Case BOA1689794 deferred to March 10 pending updated refusal letter from ISD. Applicant expects to withdraw interpretation once updated refusal is received.
Zoning Changes (4)
137 Cottage Street, East Boston
Nick Delibero
24-28 Williams Avenue, Hyde Park
Wenzel Marshall and Samuel Dushane
191 Brook Street, East Boston
Jorge Rodriguez
69R Heron Street, Roxbury
Tim Longden
Development Activity (7)
Bowker Building Conversion
Conversion of 5-story historic commercial building (circa 1870) to 18 residential units (studios and one-bedrooms) plus 750 sq ft ground floor retail. 14,580 sq ft gross floor area on 2,400 sq ft lot. Three IDP units at 60% AMI. Building entered payment in lieu of tax agreement with city.
22-24 Pratt Street Multifamily
318 units of multifamily housing with 54 affordable units, significant open space, all-electric building systems, modern energy efficient design. Site bordered by train tracks to north and Allston Green multifamily project to west and south.
Williams Avenue Subdivision
Subdivision of 19,000 sq ft lot into three parcels. Two new two-family homes proposed at 24 and 28 Williams Avenue. Existing two-family at 26 Williams Avenue to remain. Each new building approximately 3 bedrooms per unit with 2 parking spaces.
137 Cottage Street Addition
Change of occupancy from 3 units to 4 units with vertical addition. Fourth floor addition with roof deck pushed toward rear of building. Located in EBR-4 zoning subdistrict.
191 Brook Street New Construction
New three-story three-unit residential building on vacant lot. 42 feet height, slab on grade construction, no basement. Two 2-bedroom units on levels 1-2, one 3+ bedroom bilevel unit on levels 3-4 with roof deck. Lot was part of city's Butters Lots program.
69R Heron Street New Construction
New three-story three-family dwelling with three outdoor parking spaces on 6,040 sq ft lot. Units 1 and 2 are 1,360 sq ft each, Unit 3 is 1,413 sq ft. Total approximately 4,133 sq ft plus 100 sq ft non-unit area. Fire lane access from Burton Ave approved by Boston Fire Department.
4 Flint Springs Garden Street
Four-story two-family dwelling with garage on first floor. Total height 37 feet 10 inches (10-inch increase from original 37 feet approval). Demolition of existing single-family home.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Office-to-residential conversion program actively facilitating downtown Boston conversions, with 295-297 Franklin Street project already having entered payment in lieu of tax agreement and ready to begin construction.
Housing Demand
East Boston EBR-4 zoning district contemplates vertical additions on existing housing stock with 54-foot height limits, indicating policy support for increased density in the neighborhood.
Sentiment
Eagle Hill Neighborhood Association voted 13-7 to oppose 191 Brook Street project, but board approved with design review proviso, suggesting tension between community opposition and city housing goals.
Housing Demand
City's Butters Lots program releasing deed restrictions on vacant lots held for 30-40 years, creating new development opportunities in East Boston.
Infrastructure
BTD policy does not favor creating curb cuts for single off-street parking spaces, influencing site design decisions for infill development.
Housing Demand
Developer at 69R Heron Street reduced project from six units to three units during community process, demonstrating community influence on project density.