Meetings

• Welcome & Announcements
• Boston Police Updates – Sargent Martin & Officer Simons
  • Last month: 1000 calls + 500 reports; 350 priority 1 calls. 9/3 fatal homocide on West Eagle St; man from Chelsea arrested last week. Large arrest for 1 kilo of fentlynol + 2 kilos of cocaine + semi-automatic shotgun on Sumner St with DEA. 55 arrests (DV, DUI.) Most stats are down. Increase in vandalism to motor vehicles (keying + smashed windshields.) Man was recently arrested in GSCA for 6 cracked tail lights. Down 17% (100 incidents) year-over-year.
  • Q: Was there an arrest for the Shell gas station incident? A: May have missed it, but neighrbors
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor
  • https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iUcnuk1i8NjzFImxS4D40b6349dX0GlK_u5mRIm4hpU/edit?usp=sharing
  • Loftel Placed on Problem Property List
  • Greenway Updates
  • Suffolk Downs Updates
  • JPNA Fall Fling
  • Beautify Gove Street
  • PLAN: East Boston
• Plan: East Boston Update – Kristina Ricco, Jason Ruggiero
  • Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Going October 08, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM East Boston Social Center
  • Neighborhood Residential October 24, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Mixed-Use Nodes & Corridors November 06, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Waterfront Industrial & Economic Development Areas November 21, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Outcomes
    • New zoning recommendations
    • New design guidelines
    • Transportation action plan
• Project Presentation: Combine 4 lots: 231, 233, 237 Maverick Street and 96; Cottage Street into the following: 96 Cottage St: Erect 4 story – 2 unit building; 233 Maverick St: Erect 4 story – 9 unit building; 231 Maverick St: Erect 4 story – 7 unit building; 2nd Presentation & Vote – Attorney Marc LaCasse
  • Project name: 231 Maverick St
  • Zephyr Architects
  • Some changes have been made since the last presentation
  • 2 buildings: 7 and 2 units
  • Both headhouses are now set back from the street
  • 9 parking spaces (no change in street parking) – single entrance
  • Variances: Area/Unit: 1000 (<1000sqft/unit); Hiehgt; Lot width; FAR, Open Space, Side Yard, Parking
  • Vote: 8 yes / 3 No
  Meeting adjourned at 7:15PM.

• Welcome & Announcements
  • No August Meeting
  • Next Meeting Monday September 23rd
• Boston Police Updates – Sargent Martin & Officer Simmons
  • Sorry for missing June meeting
  • June: 1,800 911 calls for service (normal); 560 self-initiated; 365 priority 1 calls; 320 police reports; down 25% for Part I crimes; 39 arrests; 1 car breakin overnight in GSCA; May shots fired at Sumner and London that resulted in 3 arrests of gentlemen from Maverick landing;
  • Breakins: car breakins result from visible valuable items like cell phones and GPS; come in spurts; a few years ago we had 200, but much fewer now; Police need reports to stop these.
  • Phone scams: beware of phone scams of callers claiming to represent the police, IRS, SSA, etc. Do not do any transactions in gift cards. Do not give any personal information.
  • Peace Walk: Every Thursday at 6pm in front of District 7 for about an hour.
  • Lopresti Park annual event
  • Last Tuesday there was an incident on Chelsea with a woman who needed hospitalization and whose unit needed cleaning because of feces in buckets and such.
  • If folks are sleeping on the Greenway, then it is OK to call the police
  • There was a fight outside Maverick Station on station
  • Q: What about out of state cars? A: We will flyer them.
  • Q: Have you heard anything about cars being keyed? A: Not in Jeffries Point. There was an issue last winter in GSCA and Paris St, but the police don’t have video evidence.
  • Q: We have many out of state cars and they don’t get ticketed and towed. Why not? A: They should be. Lina is documenting this. The police do not ticket for out of state.
• Office of Neighborhood Services Updates – Lina Tramelli
  • East Boston has added a second enforcement officer.
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor
  • We have a bulletin board – email secretary@govestreet.org
  • Small business roundtable on Wednesday 7/24 morning 7a-10a with coffee
  • We will continue to work on getting project updates for those that have stalled, etc
• Project Updates- Richard Lynds
  • Loftel Hotel (155 Porter St)
    • Approved in 2016; Purchased by Hudson in 2017; Complete rehab into 127 rooms;
    • Delays due to:
      • Antenna relocation and easement requiring completed legal proceedings
      • Historic preservation tax credit
    • Mayor, Madaro and Edwards have chimed in on this building and the client knows they need to get the building into a good condition.
    • Within 2 weeks they will get the building into construction prep ready and remove the window junk, then wrap the building
    • Client wants to avoid being placed on the problem properties list
    • Q: Are the windows historic? A: They have a design element to meet the criteria for federal and state tax credits. The client will get them installed as soon as possible. “Cleaning” up the building is the short-term priority. The final construction plans are being reviewed by BPDA. Then ISD will review for 30 days.
    • Q: Will the cell towers remain? A: Yes. That is why the 6th level was removed.
    • Q: When will it start? A: 2 weeks
    • Q: Can our city officials give them a deadline? A: They client needs to act immediately.
  • 173-177 Maverick St. (DeAngelis Bakery)
    • MG2, Joy St Design; Complete rehab of DeAngelis Bakery into residential approved in June 2018; BPDA design completed in Fall 2018; structural engineer determining if demolition is required within 4-6 weeks which would trigger Article 85
    • Q: If you demolition, will the new building have the proposed design? A: Yes
    • Q: Can they clean up the weeds and the trash? A: Yes, that is included in the “construction prep” process to begin within 2-weeks.
    • Q: What is the timeline? A: A contractor will begin “building prep” within 2 weeks. A permit should be issued by ISD within about 30 days from when BPDA completes design review, then construction this fall.
  • 66 Lubec is undergoing BPDA design review, then they could get a permit and begin construction in the fall.
• Project Presentations
  • 24 Geneva Street – A proposal to erect a 5-story, 6 unit residential dwelling. 2 nd Presentation & VOTE – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • The City should consider making this a public way which would require the developers to fund it.
    • Zoning Variances: additional lot area: 0 (1000), side yard: 1 (2.5) Rear yard: 14 (20) FAR: 2.68 (2.35); Height: 5 story 50 (3 story 35) Parking: 6 (9) IPOD
    • Schedule: GSCA in Feb; Abutters soon; Zoning Hearing in September; BPDA design review in fall 2019; permit: spring 2020; construction: 10-12
    • Q: Will there be trees on the windowless side? A: No
    • Q: Could the abutters build? A: Yes
    • Q: Did you do a shadow study? A: No
    • Q: Abutter is concerned about the 5 story building and lack of parking. Does it set a precedent? A: No buildings don’t, but the 4-story building is the largest.
    • A project of this size will be asked to make public realm improvements.
    • Q: What about parking? A: The developers will pay for paving.
    • Q: What are the requirements of the developer? A: Its undetermined but it will be included in the BPDA design review.
    • Q: Will you commit? A: We will need water and sewer to get a permit, and so paving, curbing and sidewalks will be required.
    • Vote: Yes: 10, No: 4
  • 48 Geneva Street – A proposal to erect a 6 unit residential building. 2nd Presentation & VOTE – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Zonig Variances: Side yard: 1 (2.5) Rear: 14 (20) FAR: 2.68 (1) (others)
    • Process: GSCA June, Abutters July, GSCA June, Hearing September, BPDA Design Review: Fall, Permit: Winter, Construction: Sprint 2010 (10-12 months)
    • Comments: Less stories, more parking
    • Vote: Yes: 7, No: 2
  • 58 Lubec Street – This proposal to change occupancy from 4 units to 9 units and erect a penthouse. 2 nd Presentation & VOTE – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Rehab facades; resize units; upgrade life safety
    • We will attempt to preserve the character of the front balconies
    • Zoning Relief: FAR: 2.68 (2.35), Height: 5 story 53’4″ (4 story 44’6″), Open Space: Existing (300 S.F P/U), Parking: 0 (5)
    • Schedule: GSCA January, Abutters July, GSCA Vote, Hearing September, BPDA: Fall, Permit: Winter, Construction: Spring (6-8 months)
    • Vote: Yes: 7, No: 3
      Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm

• Lina Tramelli – ONS
  • New resident parking program (24-hour) on stretches of Paris St.
  • Enforcement starts July 1st
  • Signage will be added
• Police Updates – Jack Scalcione (standing in for police)
  • 27% reduction in Part 1 crimes (Year-over-year)
  • Past month: 6 robberies, 2 assaults, 2 commercial burglaries, 3 residential burglars, 7 larceny from cars, 16 shoplifting
  • YoY: Robberies down 60%, assault down 53% ,larceny from vehicles down 27%
• Proposal to rename the Greenway – Nat Taylor
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor
  • Presentation link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQvqQCwIyctcIMPIQiNnhdsG7Si97d-gT8QqSublVVyExGghzUZQeN5SALGmfOXAuTa7hPnV1jCcklK/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p
• Community Preservation Act Funding – Christine Poff
  • Flyer https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-Z2018s8oeAWGZYSEVRUE9EamdTRlJ1SVdVenQ4b0ZiaE5r
  • Year 2000 State Law that allowed City’s and town’s to pass a property tax surcharge; Boston passed a 1% surcharge in 2016 to funding affordable housing, parks and open space and community Preservation
  • $25M/yr for Boston; dock and dockhouse for youth boating at LoPreseti Park; new playground at early learning center and Otis school; Grace Elderly apartments 35 new units; Home Ownership project with NOAH; new park in Orient Heights; Nantucket Lightship funding
  • Seeking ideas from residents about what needs funding
  • Hope to make a difference for projects like the demolished townhouses in Maverick Square
  • We can only fund capital improvements and acquisition; cannot fund programs
  • 9 member voting committee
  • Q & A
    • Q: Where are the Grace Apartments? A: In Maverick Square on Sumner St.
    • Q: What about St. Marys park? A: It’s on her list and she has spoken to the Parks department.
    • Q: Does it include maintenance? A: Just creation, but we work with Parks to take them on.
    • Q: Is art eligible? What if it is interactive? A: It depends on the project.
    • Q: How do we submit a project? A: Find our flyer!
    • Q: Is public/private projects allowed? A: Yes.
    • Q: Is Harborwalk allowed? A: It has to be public.
  • We are often a co-funding (where parts of the funding come from other places.)
  • We are trying to work with the mainstreets groups to help the areas.
• Project Presentations
  • 48 Geneva Street A proposal to erect a 5-story 6-unit residential building. 1st Presentation/NO VOTE – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Owner: Nick Delibro
    • Overview: 6 units, 4-6 parking spaces, intended for home ownership
    • Site context: MFR district (over 3 units)
    • Top level is set back
    • Zoning: Side yard: 3.5’-1’ (2.5’); Rear yard: 14’ (20’); FAR: 2.68 (2.35); Height: 5 story/50’ (3 story/25’); Open Space: 605sqft (1800 sqft); Parking: 4 (9); IPOD
    • Process (tentative): Community outreach (GSCA preso, abutters meeting, GSCA vote); ZBA Hearing – September 2019; BDPA design review – Fall 2019; Permit: Winter 2020; Construction Begins: Spring 2020
    • Q & A
      • Creates pressure to improve the conditions on Geneva St.
      • Q: Does the setback include the decks? A: Yes. The building itself is 20’
      • Q: Will it affect the light on Cottage St? A: Likely shadows are allowed because it is a buildable lot.
      • Q: What is a tandem spot? A: 2-vehicles behind each other.
      • Q: Is the road partially owned by Massport? A: It is a private way open to public. DPW has not accepted the street. The city sometimes plows it. When you develop a vacant parcel with no utilities, and if you lay them in a public area of travel then you must make improvement. Massport will not contribute to projects like sidewalks.
      • Q: What was Geneva St previously? A: It was part of an estate that was seized for tax reasons but it became a public way.
  • 273-279 Maverick Street A proposal to erect a 5 story mixed use building with 41 dwelling
    units with space for 1 retail establishment. 2nd Presentation & VOTE – Attorney Richard Lynds; Tim Lorenz
    • Reduced to 28 units; reconfigured building
    • Overview: combine lots; mixed use retail, artist space and 38 residential units; improve street-scape to blend with 287 maverick; 23 parking spaces and bike storage; intended for rental; Article 80
    • Context: 3F-2000 district
    • Concept: 1 curb-cut & shared pedestrian/bikepath around the site through to Everett; rear (South) units will have decks; 2 lobbies; new parking behind 272 Maverick; same masonry-base materials and fiberglass at 287; there could be 2 zipcar spaces
    • Zoning: Use: Mixed/multi (3F); Rear yard: 10’ (30’); FAR: 2.8 (1.0); Height: 5-story/59’6″ (3-story/35’); IPOD
    • Process: Community Outreach (GSCA – February, abutters – summer 2019, GSCA Vote – Summer 2019, Article 80 Review – Summer 2019); BPDA Board Approval – Fall 2019; Zoning Appeal – Fall 2019; Permit – Winter 2020; Construction begins: Spring/Summer 2020 (12-14 months)
    • Q & A
      • Q: What is the art space? A: 400sqft would be dedicated to affordable artist space;
      • Q: What if the artist space is unused? A: The large retail will be a Coffee Shop, the smaller will probably be professional offices. It won’t be designed for adaptability to residential. The developer most likely won’t have trouble filling it because of their network.
      • Q: What is the deal with the parking? A: 287 received zoning relief to get 26 spaces. Both buildings will have access to both garages and there can be “flex” between the two. Our client will cooperate with proposed city regulations about resident parking changes. There will be parking all in front of the building.
      • Abutter comment: concerned about parking especially on street sweeping day.
      • Q: Are there still 2 art spaces? A: No, the BPDA asked for additional retail.
      • Abutter comment: “The large zoning relief for parking is an insult the neighbors.” Response: You are eliminating a future industrial use, which could have employee and patrons parking.
      • Q: What about 1 car per unit? A: The city is planning for the next 100 years.
      • Q: Is there anything on the roof of the retail? A: Green-space and garden.
      • Q: What is the mix of units? A: Some of them are 900sqft.
      • Q: Is the the second time? Was it 38 units then? What is the height? A: Yes. No, 41-units. 59’6″ (same as next door)
      • Q: Is it really a 10-minute walk [to public tranit]? A: It is a formula of distance, and there is a busline.
      • Q: Where did the sqaure footage from the 3-units go? A: Reconfiguration that went to other units.
      • Q: Are they barbecue bits? A: There could be grills.
      • Q: Is the pathway public? A: It will be up to the BPDA.
    • Vote: 6 yes, 8 no

Meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM.

• Welcome & Announcements
• Office of Neighborhood Services Updates – Lina Tramelli
  • Mayor’s Coffe Hours – June 12th @ 9:30 Noyes Park
• Greenway Gove St Crossing Project – Stephanie Weyer
  • Friday June 14th and 15th installation – volunteers needed
  • Seasonal and popup components
  • Seating, tables, plantings, etc
  • Pop-up: similar to Roslindale
  • Conrail blue
  • Q: Can you do anything with historic ships? A: Yes, we’re trying.
  • Historically, there used to be a walking bridge across this area. Eventually the city took it down because it was dangerous but without a replacement plan.
  • Q: How many volunteers do you need? A: TBD. Get the contact from Nat
  • TODO: Jack to write up brief history of the crossing
  • Q: What about runway lights? A: Maybe flourescenet paint
  • Q: What about parking? A: It is temporary
  • Q: Can we get a stop sign? A: Good idea
  • Q: Can we show historic names? They could trace back to the names of the ships. A: Please contact me (Stephanie)
  • Q: When does short term end? A: End of summer.
• Project Updates – Nat Taylor
  • Presentation link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Zh2adbYsKxeJU6ls8CRpA6SPJ21O2Vgt-FtUXEzqhmk/edit#slide=id.g5a2de58590_0_54
  • GSCA: Website, Facebook, Email
  • PLAN: East Boston – Affordable Housing
    • BPDA info session to learn more about programs that help create and preserve affordable housing as well as stabilize families facing displacement.
    • June 4, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM East Boston Social Center
    • June 18, 2019 6:00 – 7:30 PM East Boston Social Center
  • Love Your Block 2019
    • Street cleanup & shrub planting
    • Thanks to all the volunteers!
  • 175 Orleans Street (Loftel)
    • Councilor Edwards is pushing for it to be added to the Problem Properties list. lydia.edwards@boston.gov
  • 202 Maverick St
    • May 1 – The plans for this project have been signed off on by [BPDA] Urban Design team. Everything is consistent with what was approved.
  • 28-30 Geneva Street BPDA Board Approved
    • Approved by BPDA Board on May 16 5-story residential building with 26 condominium units and 19 off-street parking spaces.
  • 282-308 Bremen Street
    • 165 Units
    • Public meeting 06/05/2019 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM BCYF 112 Paris Street
    • Public comments due June 10, 2019 via email at Raul.Duverge@Boston.gov
  • Suffolk Downs Minority Businesses Owners Meeting
    • June 4th at 2pm Suffolk Downs Clubhouse
  • Ward 1 Democrats Meet & Greet
    • June 12th at the Orient Heights Yacht Club 6-8
• Project Presentations:
  • 69 Lubec Street A proposal to erect a 5 story building with 8 residential units and 8 parking
    spaces. 2nd Presentation & VOTE – Attorney Matt Eckel
  • Drago represnting George Corris, local developer
  • Tried to make changes based on feedback from abutters and GSCA
  • Change from 8 to 7 units and spaces
  • 5th floor is now setback 15-feet in front and 14-feet rear
  • Height: 47’6″
  • Timeline: 2/7 ISD filing, 3/18 refusal letter, 4/22 first presentation, 5/28 second presentation
  • Held meetings with direct abutters; pulled away from Delibero
  • variances: rear 12/30; lot area per dwelling: 358/1000, FAR: 2.2/1.0; height: 47’ feet; rear yard: 12’; parking: 1/1.75
  • Summary of changes:
    • reduces from 8 to 7 units
    • lowered building hieght
    • reduced FAR from 2.52 to 2.2
    • front pullback
    • rear pullback
    • others
  • Q: What is the balcony depth? 4’ and that’s where the setback begins
  • Vote: Yes: 1 No: 5

Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm
Please submit revisions or comments to secretary@govestreet.org

Welcome & Updates

1. Welcome
   1. Theresa is temporarily stepping down; Jack is interim chair
   2. Welcome to representatives from our elected officials:
      1. Steve Gingras from Representative Madaro’s Office
      2. Gabriela Coletta from City Council Edwards’ Office
      3. Patricia Jehlen from Senator Boncore’s Office
2. Boston Police Updates – Sargent Martin & Officer Simmons
   1. Crime statistics are pretty low.  Approaching 5th month and down 27%.  5 year downwards trend.
   2. Central Square shoplifting is up.  Commercial robberies (latenight) that spiked early haven’t occurred since early March.
   3. Department requests no specific help at this time.
   4. Please report noise problems with a follow up call.
   5. Down approximately 50% over the last decade.
   6. Peace Walks start on 4/22 (4th Thursdays) from the station at 6pm
   7. Q: Can anything be done about car scratching? A: These are difficult but if you have surveillance footage it helps.
   8. Q: Will surveillance cameras be installed? A: We are not aware of any plans, but it benefits us a lot.  Ask developers to install cameras.
   9. Q: Who installed the surveillance trailers? A: We’re not aware; they might be Massport.
3. Office of Neighborhood Services – Lina Tramelli
   1. Love Your Block – May 11th – More details at https://www.boston.gov/civic-engagement/love-your-block
   2. East Boston Neighborhood Updates Newsletter – Subscribe at https://newsletters.boston.gov/subscribe?category=My%20Neighborhood
   3. Neighborhood Coffee Hour East Boston – June 12 9:30a – 10:30a at Noyes Park, 86 Boardman Street Neighborhood Coffee Hours give residents a unique opportunity to speak directly with Mayor Walsh and staff from City departments.  https://www.boston.gov/calendar/neighborhood-coffee-hour-east-boston
4. Board Updates
   1. New website and email system
   2. Upcoming events
      1. Keep an eye out for the next Neighborhood clean up (We held one last Sunday – 7 folks, 1hr, 10 bags incl 3 tires etc)
      2. Piers Park 2 Design Meeting – Apr 23 @ 6:30
      3. A Future with More Ferries: Business Plan Release + Panel Discussion – Apr 23 @ 5:30
      4. PLAN East Boston: Gove Street Walking Tour – Saturday 4/27 10-12 McKay school (Jay Ruggiero, BPDA)
   3. Project updates
      1. Maverick Shipyard (202 Maverick) – driveway easement on 3/19; final plans approved by BPDA; now applying for building permit; 30-45 days until construction begins if all goes well
      2. 205 Maverick – Construction could begin in as soon as 90 days, starting with the grocery store and laundromat
         1. Q: What has changed? A: It is still a 5-story building and stores are not set back.
         2. Q: What are GSCA votes? A: They are just suggestions to the ZBA
      3. Comments for ZBA on Mt Carmel project (Church building zoning appeal) due prior to hearing on 4/30 at 10:30AM

Projects

1. 69 Lubec Street A proposal to erect a 5 story building with 8 residential units and 8 parking spaces.  1 st Presentation/NO VOTE – Attorney Jeff Drago
   1. Matt Eckel, with Drago with George and Paul from ownership and development team; abutters have already shared thoughts Epsilon Partners LLC
   2. Timeline: 2019-02-07 filing; 2019-xx-xx rejection; 2019-04-22 first public meeting
   3. Zoning: seeking several variances – request (required)
      1. Area per dwelling unit: 310 (1000)
      2. FAR: 2.52 (1.0)
      3. Min Side yard: 0/0 (2.5)
      4. Min Rear Yard: 12 (30)
      5. Parking: 1 (1.75)
   4. 8 unit similar units of about 1,000sqft
   5. Q & A
      1. Q: What are the attachment requirements? A: It requires a variance but it is relatively common.  67 Lubec owner is in favor, the other side is not.
      2. Q: Why do you have to go 5-stories?  Why is there a bump out? A: There are 4 stories and anchored with larger buildings like the Porter Lofts.  We like the bumpout for aesthetics and land area.
      3. I have an issue with 5 stories because most of the nearby buildings are 4 stories.
      4. Q: Will the facades match? A:  We can work with the developer.
      5. Q: Can you get more rear setback? A: We can work on it.
      6. Q: Why does the new attachment have to be 5 stories towering above a 3 story, towering, with no setback so there is no backyard.  A: I understand the fit story. Yes it will be 5-stories. There won’t be sidelot privacy issues because windows aren’t allowed.
      7. Q: Will the garage need a curb cut? A: Yes, we will petition for the 10-foot curb cut which is allowed.
      8. There are no popouts.  There are 5-stories.
      9. Q: How does attaching work? A: A party-wall would need to be constructed, but permission is not required.  It requires zoning appeal first, then abutters can do a court appeal.
      10. Q: Will it shade other properties? A: Yes.
      11. Q: Are these condos? A: Yes.

Meeting adjourned at 7:36pm
Please submit revisions or comments to secretary@govestreet.org