Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Public Improvement Commission approved pedestrian easements and specific repairs for the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center project at Old Road, Ellington Street, and Michigan Avenue in Dorchester, including a raised intersection design. A joint petition by Verizon, Comcast, and Astound for telecommunications conduit installation at Mary Ellen McCormick development in South Boston was approved. The Eversource electric transformer vault petition at 16 Whitby Street, East Boston was continued to December 4 pending legal agreement finalization with the city.
Key Decisions (7)
Eversource Electric Transformer Vault at 16 Whitby Street, East Boston
Petition by Enstar Electric Company DBA Eversource Energy for electric transformer vault installation within Whitby Street public way continued due to outstanding legal agreement between Eversource and the city. Eversource requested approval conditioned on not obtaining street opening permit until agreement signed, but chair preferred to wait for legal terms alignment.
Pedestrian Easements at Ellington Street and Michigan Avenue, Dorchester
Harvard Street Support Corporation petition for acceptance of two pedestrian easements adjacent to Ellington Street (144 sq ft, 16 inches wide) and Michigan Avenue (142 sq ft, 22-24 inches wide) in Dorchester approved. Easements allow minimum five foot path of travel around building.
Specific Repairs at Old Road, Ellington Street, Michigan Avenue, Dorchester
Harvard Street Support Corporation petition for specific repairs including curb realignment, sidewalk reconstruction, structural soil, pedestrian ramps, specialty pavement, street lighting, storm drain infrastructure, street trees, street furniture, bike racks, hydrants, driveway curb cuts, protected bicycle infrastructure, raised intersection, and 100-foot bus stop approved. MBTA approved updated bus stop design.
Canopy Projection License at 8 Old Road, Dorchester
Harvard Street Support Corporation petition for canopy projection over sidewalk at corner of Old Road and Ellington Street approved. Projection approximately 67 square feet, triangular shape with 9 inches projection on northern side and 34 inches on southern side, 33.5 feet wide along right of way.
Telecommunications Conduit at Mary Ellen McCormick Development, South Boston
Joint petition by Verizon New England (lead), Comcast, and Astound (RCN) for grant of location to install new telecommunication conduit with city shadow within Major Michael J O'Connor Way and General Lawrence J Logan Way in South Boston approved. Second phase of Mary Ellen McCormick project development.
Pedestrian Easement at 15-17 Wichita Terrace, Dorchester
Petition by 1517 Wichita Terrace LLC for pedestrian easement extending sidewalk 3 feet outside proposed building to provide 5 feet total in front of building approved. Project obtained AAB variance.
Specific Repairs at Wichita Terrace and River Street, Dorchester
Petition by 1517 Wichita Terrace LLC for curb realignment, roadway, sidewalk, and driveway curb cut reconstruction, pedestrian ramps, hydrants, and mountable curb approved. Work requested by Boston Fire Department to widen street from 16.5 feet to 20 feet for fire truck access. AAB variance granted for spot repair to existing sidewalks.
Development Activity (6)
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
New health center building with canopy projection, raised intersection, 100-foot bus stop, protected bicycle infrastructure, street trees, and pedestrian improvements
Mary Ellen McCormick Phase 2
Telecommunications conduit installation with city shadow, joint petition with Comcast and Astound
15-17 Wichita Terrace Residential
New residential building requiring pedestrian easement and street improvements for fire access
635 Hyde Park Avenue Mixed-Use
Four story mixed use building with 27 dwelling units, 914 sq ft retail, 14 below-grade parking spaces, 9.5 foot sidewalks on Hyde Park Ave, 8 foot minimum on Canterbury Street, four street trees
700 Commonwealth Avenue Canopy
Removal of existing canopy and replacement with new canopy 11 feet 8 inches above sidewalk extending 8-10 feet, main entrance canopy 22 feet above sidewalk extending 15.5 feet
250 Everett Street Residential
Six story residential building with 240 units, subsurface garage for 110 vehicles, 8 foot cement concrete sidewalk, 4 foot furnishing zone, 10 new street trees, 27 foot curb cut, removal of 5 existing shade trees approved by parks department
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Multiple residential developments advancing in Brighton and Dorchester including 240-unit project at 250 Everett Street and 27-unit mixed-use at 635 Hyde Park Avenue.
Infrastructure
Significant telecommunications and utility infrastructure investment ongoing at Mary Ellen McCormick development in South Boston with joint utility coordination between Verizon, Comcast, and Astound.
Infrastructure
National Grid replacing aging gas regulator stations installed in 1994 with new three-layer protection compliant equipment serving approximately 11,500 customers at Island Street/Gerard Street/Massachusetts Avenue intersection.
Infrastructure
MBTA and MassDOT bridge reconstruction on Canterbury Street causing significant regional traffic disruption; developers accommodating construction with lay down areas.