Zoning Board of Appeal, September 8, 2026
Denies Denial without prejudice of lot combination/subdivision at 18R Plain Street, unanimous
What happened
The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal heard numerous residential and commercial variance and change-of-use cases on September 8, 2026, approving nearly all with unanimous votes.
- Jurisdiction
- Boston, MA
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- September 8, 2026
- Decisions
- 30 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Denied, unanimous
Projects in this meeting (12)
Each is its own project; some span multiple hearingsConvert commercial to residential
ApprovedChange to three-family dwelling
ApprovedRoof deck
ApprovedChange to three-family dwelling
ApprovedNew five-unit building
ApprovedNew two-townhome building
ApprovedRenovation and balcony/roof deck
ApprovedConvert to four-family
ApprovedCulinary training facility
ApprovedSouth Boston Municipal Court
ApprovedRoof deck relief
ApprovedDenial without prejudice of lot combination/subdivision
DeniedFree sample: decision 1 of 30
Grant of extensions for 12 cases
The board granted extensions on 12 cases including 4 Deaver Street, 729 Park Street, 10 Thompson Square, 59 Hillock Street, 115-121 Boston Street, 151 Liverpool Street (8th extension), 2207 Norchester Avenue, 58 Cedrus Avenue, 155 Portland Street, 43 Hutchings Street, 43 R Hutchings Street, and 5 Warren Avenue. Discussion noted 151 Liverpool St has been extended for six-seven years; staff explained under the Permit Extension Act permits acted 23-25 have automatic two additional years.
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal heard numerous residential and commercial variance and change-of-use cases on September 8, 2026, approving nearly all with unanimous votes.
Key Decisions (30)
Grant of extensions for 12 cases
Subcommittee recommendations for 5 cases
Building code relief at 4 Haynes Street
Roof deck relief at 8 Lawrence Street
Use variance for South Boston Municipal Court at 460 West Broadway
New two-townhome building at 42 Lambert Street
Renovation and balcony/roof deck at 66 Rutland Street
Single-family addition at 11 Ashley Street
Change to three-family dwelling at 388 Arborway
Change to three-family dwelling at 17 Copley Street
Legalize eight residential units at 32 Wycombe Street
Outdoor patio at 772-778 Adams Street (Landmark Public House)
Enclose structure at 97 Milton Street
Combine and subdivide lots at 72/74 Readville Street and 5 Waterloo Street
Deferral of 350 Athens Street
Deferral of 336 E Street
Deferral of new single-family home at 21 Katuit Street
Convert commercial to residential at 24 Stimson Street
Change of use to fro-yo shop at 90-92 Elk Street
New six-unit building at 364-368 Athens Street
Roof deck at 555-567 East Broadway
Deferral of 26 Byrd Street
Deferral of 151 Lenox Street
Deferral of 44 Granger Street
Convert to four-family at 442 East 5th Street
New five-unit building at 120-120D Old Harbor Street
Culinary training facility at 2073-2189 Washington Street
Denial without prejudice of lot combination/subdivision at 18R Plain Street
Renovation and vertical addition at 401A-401 Chelsea Street
ADU carriage house conversion at 722R East 8th Street
Development Activity (22)
4 Haynes Street condominiums
Residential
460 West Broadway - South Boston Municipal Court
Commercial
42 Lambert Street townhomes
Residential
66 Rutland Street renovation
Residential
11 Ashley Street addition
Residential
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Numerous small-scale residential conversions and additions (two-to-three-family, three-to-four-family, basement/ADU legalizations)…
Commercial Demand
Commercial change-of-use activity remains modest, with a laundromat converting to…
Infrastructure
Plan East Boston zoning (MU5 sub-district allowing up to five…
Who Spoke (20)
On the record: a board member, 2 staff members, 7 attorneys, the applicant, and a member of the public.
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