Zoning Board of Appeal - 2026-01-27

Approved modification of previously approved nine-unit structure to six units with 13 parking spaces reduced to 9. Units changed from four 1-beds, three 2-beds, and two 3-beds to one 2-bedroom and five 3-bedrooms ranging from 1,078 to 1,745 square feet. Four parking spaces removed and replaced with open space per previous board proviso.

Approved changes to previously approved 26-unit residential building including reduction of parking from 19 to 14 spaces by eliminating stacker system, and addition of roof decks accessed by head house. Project is under construction. Located near Airport and Maverick MBTA stations.

Approved construction of two-unit residential structure with parking at grade on approximately 4,100 square foot vacant parcel in Roslindale. Relief required for lot area (4,100 vs 5,000 required), lot width (42.5 vs 50 feet), rear setback (38.5 vs 40 feet), front yard (9 feet), side yard (3 feet on right side), FAR (0.9 vs 0.5), and parking (2 vs 4 required). Applicant Richard Linz representing petitioner.

Approved erection of new three-story residential building with four condominium units. Unit breakdown: Unit 1 is 1,200 sq ft 3-bedroom, Unit 2 is 690 sq ft 1-bedroom, Unit 3 is 620 sq ft 1-bedroom, Unit 4 is 1,370 sq ft 3-bedroom with deck and roof deck. Includes one affordable unit at 80% AMI with 30-year restriction. Two exterior parking spaces with 10-foot curb cut. Developer: Caleb and Yasmin Hassan. Architect: Context Design.

Approved amendment to existing active building permit changing project from three-family to four-family residential building. Amendment includes adding one additional apartment, extending 3rd floor unit into basement, interior layout and stair reconfiguration, and changing roof from flat to gable with dormer. Fire sprinkler system already part of approval. Owner: Abraham Alvarez.

Approved change of legal occupancy from three-family to four-family dwelling, legalizing existing basement unit that has been present for approximately 25 years. Basement unit is approximately 1,000 square feet with two beds and one bath. Relief required for FAR (0.5 required) and off-street parking (no room on site). Owner: Lucindo Galvez. Attorney: Derek Small.

Approved construction of three-family house with three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms per floor, three parking spaces in rear with driveway on right side. Owner/contractor: Shai Vol of 1065 Washington Street, Dorchester. Owner also owns adjacent property at 11 Browning Avenue.

Approved Notice of Project Change for 144-unit residential building with ground floor retail on approximately 50,000 sq ft site. Building is 150,000 gross sq ft, varies 4-6 stories (46-63 feet), FAR of 2.9. Unit mix: 18 three-bedrooms, 74 two-bedrooms, 51 one-bedrooms with 13% affordable. 101 parking spaces, 170 interior bike spaces. Developer: Triad Alpha Partners, owner Peter Zagorianakis. Originally approved in 2014 as as-of-right with no affordable units.

Approved conditional use permit for bank on 1st floor and variance for fitness/Pilates studio in basement of existing four-story building with nine dwelling units. Building approved by board in 2023, construction essentially complete. Located in MFRLS district where most commercial uses require relief. Owner: Joe Arcari. Attorney: George Morancy.

Approved two conditional use permits in restricted parking overlay district to add 32 net new parking spaces (from 114 to 146) and add public parking to existing valet-only garage. Building is pre-code structure from 1940s with approximately 600,000 sq ft of office and retail. BTD guidelines permit up to 212 spaces. No physical modifications to building required. APCC approval received January 14, 2026. Owner: TC 501 Boylston Street LLC. Attorney: Johnny Sanchez, Goulston and Storrs.

Approved construction of new single-family dwelling with parking on approximately 1,800 sq ft lot (code requires 4,000 sq ft in 3F-4000 district). Three-story structure with 1st floor garage and kitchen, 2nd floor living/1 bed/1 bath, 3rd floor 2 beds/2 baths. Relief for lot area, lot width, frontage, and open space (460 vs 650 sq ft required). Originally proposed as three-family, reduced to single-family per neighborhood concerns. Owner: Heron Carbonara. Attorney: Ryan Spitz, Adams and Marantzi.

Approved conditional use permit under Groundwater Conservation Overlay District. Boston Water and Sewer Commission approved proposed groundwater recharge system. Certification of no harm prepared by engineer submitted. Owner: Matthew Marshall.

Approved conversion of single-family dwelling to two-family by interior renovation and addition of small egress platforms. Unit 1: 3-bed on 1st floor and basement. Unit 2: 3-bed on 2nd and 3rd floors. Relief required for insufficient off-street parking and insufficient additional lot area (2,000 sq ft lot, needs additional 1,000 sq ft for new unit). Located in MFR subdistrict near MBTA bus routes. Owner: Jim O'Donovan. Architect: Anthony Pisani. Attorney: Ryan Spitz.

Approved construction of two-family dwelling on 4,000 sq ft lot in 2F-5000 district in Readville. Relief required for lot area (4,000 vs 5,000 sq ft), additional lot area, FAR (exceeds 0.5), usable open space (1,750 sq ft required per unit), front yard (10 vs 20 feet), and rear yard (20 vs 40 feet). Lot created prior to 1918 per Norfolk County plan. Developer: Alex Musto, 167 Needham Street, Dedham.

Deferred to March 10, 2026 because elevation needs to be shown accurately on plans as property is in sea flood district. Attorney: Jeff Drago, Drago and Toscana.

Deferred to March 24, 2026 due to communications from district councilor, planning department, and mayor's office. Applicant wants to review project for potential changes to address concerns. Attorney: Richard Linz.

Deferred to March 10, 2026 for new notice. Side yard setback should be cited in addition to rear yard setback since this is a tear down of existing building. Attorney: Richard Linz.

Deferred to March 10, 2026 for re-advertisement as sister application at 53 Calumet Street was inadvertently left off. Attorney: Ryan Spitz, Adams and Marantzi.

Deferred to April 7, 2026 to continue working with Back Bay Business Association on changes and mitigation for advertisement. This is the third substantive deferral. Attorney: Jeff Drago.

Deferred to April 28, 2026 pending GCOD compliance, Boston Water and Sewer approval, and reassignment of plans examiner after previous examiner left city employment. Attorney: Laurence Catino.

Deferred to March 24, 2026 so applicant can provide certified plot plan by licensed surveyor and adequate drawings to BPD. Planning department had no refusal letter or plans. Owner: Marco De Barros. Project involves legalizing side exit from basement and deck on top of garage.