Zoning Board of Appeal - 2026-01-13
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal approved multiple residential development projects on January 13, 2026, including a 48-unit affordable housing development at 282-294 Hyde Park Avenue with 90% affordability, and a 230-unit mixed-use project at 3430-3446 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain. The board also approved a controversial three-foot rear extension with six-foot deck at 170 West Canton Street in the South End despite significant neighborhood opposition, and granted relief for converting a three-family to four-family dwelling at 33 Princeton Street in East Boston.
Key Decisions (20)
48-Unit Affordable Housing at 282-294 Hyde Park Avenue
Arcs Urban received approval for a 49,800 square foot building with 48 rental units, 90% affordable (43 units). Income restrictions: 10 units at 30% AMI, 10 at 50% AMI, 16 at 60% AMI, 7 at 80% AMI, plus 5 market-rate units. Six stories at highest point, 17 parking spaces, all-electric passive house design.
230-Unit Mixed-Use Development at 3430-3446 Washington Street
Boston Real Estate Capital approved for two buildings: 130 units at 3440 Washington (6 stories, 54 parking) and 100 units at 3430 Washington (5 stories, 42 parking). Total 230 units with 46 IDP units (20% affordable). Replaces Headoffs gas station and auto body shop per Plan JP Rocks.
Rear Extension at 170 West Canton Street
Rebecca and Rachel Cargot received conditional use permits for article 32 groundwater recharge and article 64 rear yard extension. Three-story, three-foot bump out with six-foot deck on third floor, adding 155 square feet to single-family residence. Lot size 3,100 square feet.
Three to Four Family Conversion at 33 Princeton Street
Richard Borocchi granted relief to legalize use of basement as fourth unit in existing three-family dwelling. Unit has been occupied over 15 years. Separate ADU/carriage house case deferred to February hearing.
Two-Family Duplex at 19-21 Fresno Street
Jacob Lipton approved to demolish existing single-family and construct new two-story, two-family duplex. Each unit has three bedrooms, 1,600 square feet, single-car garage, and private deck. Lot approximately 7,000 square feet in 8,000 square foot required zone.
Single Family at 6 Brookside Avenue
Storm Riders LLC approved for new single-family home on 1,984 square foot vacant lot. Three stories with 1st floor living/kitchen/bath, 2nd floor two bedrooms/two baths, 3rd floor two bedrooms/one bath/office/family room, plus 250 square foot roof deck.
Third Story Addition at 146-146A Bunker Hill Street
Bahim Nikpour approved for third story addition with roof deck on existing two-family home. Height increases to 36 feet (one foot over limit). FAR increases from 1.52 to 3.45.
Third Floor Addition at 148 Bunker Hill Street
Approved for third floor addition with rear deck and basement expansion. FAR increases from 1.45 to 2.4. Connected to 146 Bunker Hill Street project.
Six-Unit Conversion at 32 Gordon Street
City Realty approved to convert existing three-unit building to six units through internal reconfiguration. No off-street parking proposed; relies on transit proximity.
Four-Unit Building at 77 Bodham Street
Dwayne Miller approved for four residential units with three parking spaces on vacant corner lot at Bodham and Oakley Street. Three three-bedroom units plus one one-bedroom accessible unit in basement/garden level.
Two-Unit New Construction at 55-57 Center Street
Michael Winston approved for two-unit infill construction on lot where row houses previously burned. Traditional three-decker style with modern touches, mansard roof.
Lot Subdivision at 34 Mead Street
John Campbell and Claire Smith approved to subdivide property creating two-family at 34 Mead Street and single-family at 34R Mead Street. No physical changes to existing three-family structure.
Roof Deck Enclosure at 921R-923R East 4th Street
Approved to enclose existing roof deck to create primary suite for growing family. Adds approximately 330 square feet.
French Bakery at 227 Newbury Street
Change of occupancy from vacant dry cleaner to Praline Bakery cafe with 12 interior seats and two exterior tables.
ADU at 288-290 Beacon Street
Timothy Burke approved to separate ground level portion of single-family as two-bedroom, one-bath apartment. Owner has lived in unit over 40 years.
Electronic Sign Update at 1071 Massachusetts Avenue
Metro Credit Union approved to replace existing dot matrix electronic message center with modern RGB display. Sign size remains similar.
GCOD Compliance at 269 Commonwealth Avenue
Groundwater conservation overlay district compliance approved for property renovation.
Foundation Replacement at 95 Business Street
Board final operative case approved for foundation replacement requiring permit change from ALT to ERT. Front porch setback adjusted to three feet per modal setback study.
Interpretation at 62-66 Condor Street
Attorney Richard Linz requested deferral to review new violation cited. Will resubmit interpretation question if needed.
Withdrawal at 100-102 Warren Street
National Council for Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated Women withdrew proposal due to funding issues. Will return with modified program.
Zoning Changes (4)
282-294 Hyde Park Avenue, Jamaica Plain
Arcs Urban
3430-3446 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
Boston Real Estate Capital
33 Princeton Street, East Boston
Richard Borocchi
32 Gordon Street, Allston
City Realty
Development Activity (9)
Hyde Park Avenue Affordable Housing
48 units, 49,800 square feet, 6 stories, 90% affordable (43 units), 17 parking spaces, all-electric passive house design
Washington Street Mixed-Use
230 total units in two buildings (130 units at 3440, 100 units at 3430), 96 parking spaces, 10,790 square feet retail, 46 IDP units (20% affordable)
West Canton Street Renovation
Single-family renovation with three-story, three-foot rear extension plus six-foot deck, adding 155 square feet
Fresno Street Duplex
Two-story, two-family duplex, each unit 1,600 square feet with three bedrooms, single-car garage
Brookside Avenue Single Family
Three-story single-family, 1,984 square foot lot, 250 square foot roof deck
Bunker Hill Street Additions
Third story additions to two connected properties, 36 feet height, roof deck at 146
Gordon Street Conversion
Conversion of three-unit to six-unit building through internal reconfiguration, no parking
Bodham Street Four-Family
Four units with three parking spaces, three three-bedroom units plus one accessible one-bedroom
Center Street Infill
Two-unit new construction, traditional three-decker style with mansard roof
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Multiple projects converting underutilized commercial/industrial properties to residential, indicating strong housing demand along transit corridors in Jamaica Plain and Allston.
Housing Demand
Developer at 282-294 Hyde Park Avenue included 5 market-rate units specifically to allow upward mobility without displacement, suggesting tenant retention concerns in affordable housing.
Commercial Demand
Two ground-floor retail spaces totaling over 10,000 square feet included in Washington Street project, indicating continued demand for neighborhood retail.
Sentiment
Stony Brook Neighborhood Association representative expressed frustration that neighborhood concerns are being ignored, stating 'you need to start listening to the neighborhood' and 'it's not just build, build, build.'
Infrastructure
City's 2021 code changes eliminated minimum parking requirements for projects with over 60% affordability, enabling higher-density transit-oriented development.
Housing Demand
Plan JP Rocks actively encouraging conversion of auto-related industrial uses to multifamily residential along Washington Street corridor, with multiple similar projects approved or under construction.