Meetings

• Welcome & Announcements
  • No December Meeting
• Office of Neighborhood Services Updates – Lina Tramelli
• Boston Police Updates – Officer Simons
  • Congratulations and thank you Sergeant Martin
  • Welcome Officer Cintola
  • Increase in commercial break-ins but we made an arrest
  • Beware of phone scams – don’t give personal information or send money
  • Q: What should I do if I get a call that my number is compromised? A: Make sure you speak to someone.
  • Q: Cross-walks at Maverick are chaos? A: It isn’t a police matter.
  • Q: What about cars double parking? A: We’re not in the business of rushing people; we make people or give them a ticket if they are there after 2 loops.
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor
  • East Boston Tree Council
  • Beautification Committee
• Revised GSCA By-Law Approval Vote – Shawn Lu / Nat Taylor
  • Q: Do we require a quorum? A: No
  • Q: What is the definition of abutter? A: State definition
  • Q: What types of financial disclosure? Are they allowed to vote? A: Direct only. Yes the are eligible.
  • Q: Could the abutter exception have unintended consequences? A: Yes, but that’s a sign of an engaged neighborhood.
  • Vote: 11 YES 0 No
• Project Presentations:
  • 10 Geneva Street A proposal to erect a 4 story multi-family dwelling (7 units) with parking at grade. 2 nd Presentation / Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Materials: 1st story masonry; upper stories hearty plank that resembles neighboring buildings
    • Height: 37’2″ and no roof deck or head house; similar to other 4 story buildings on Geneva street. Adjacent 3-story building is 32′ feet.
    • The change of use from industrial to residential is consistent with the Master Plan
    • Project is required to bring in water and sewer and make public realm improvements
    • Q: Can you make it 3-stories with more parking? A: We understand 1-1 parking but the City thinks that is excessive; we are trying to be transparent
    • Vote: Yes 3 – No 8
  • 255 Maverick Street A proposal to raze the existing building and erect a mixed use 4 story building with 9 residential units and one retail unit with parking at grade. 2nd Presentation / Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Mid-facade decks will be used to break it up aesthetically
    • Height is 37’2″ with an elevator head house which aligns with adjacent buildings
    • Q: Can you commit to street trees? Keeping the rear trees? A: Yes to street tress. There are no rear trees.
    • Q: Will there be retail? A: Yes, low-intensity
    • Vote: Yes 7 – No 4
  • Legislative Update – Representative Adrian Madaro
    • $30M New Police station at base of Eagle Hill! Finally after mid-1800s
    • State budget: Piers Park sailing center included amendment for $50,000; Funded grant for Greenway extension to Winthrop; cross-roads family shelter is getting $245k for workforce development; EBSC is getting $50k for daycare service during relocation; YouthConnect got $25k for a social working position; Vocational Education: $75k for job readiness program at EBHS; $75k for STEM pilot schools in all EB elementary schools
    • Greenway renamed in honor of Mary Ellen Welch
    • I am the vice-chair of transportation; I am EB’s seat at the table; We need more money for big ticket items like ferries, Red-Blue connector, late-night service, Blue Line to Lynn and for reliability (including for the Blue Line); Leadership, House, Senate and Business Community agree its a big issue;
    • Study Opportunity Act to be signed tomorrow to add $1.5b to close opportunity gap (including East Boston!)
    • Hands-free Driving will be enacted soon
    • I respect veterans; new legislation for mental health needs of veterans as state schools
    • Announcements
      • I have been appointed the vice-chair of transportation (new office and added staff)
      • Eastie’s Elves
    • Q: Is the BPS funding going to public schools? A: Yes
    • Q: EBNHC is seeking to develop the parking lots? A: Yes but it is ambiguity and there will be a community process.
    • Q: How will you alleviate congestion? A: I have written a TNC-fee bill. I have a bill on regional ballot initiatives to get things on the ballot to get new taxes. Gas tax is in play. Toll reform (equity and congestion pricing) may be in play.
    • Q: Can Worcester Airport be moved closer to the Mass Pike? A: I would support it.
    • We are experiencing in 2019 the Logan ESPR projections for 2040, so regionalization and mitigation are essential. I am advocating for HEPA filters in our schools. I am advocating for night curfews.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10.

Bylaw Proposal Links

• GSCA Bylaws – November 2019
• GSCA Bylaws – Approved July 2015
• GSCA Bylaws Proposal Overview

Project Presentations

• 255 Maverick St
• 10 Geneva St

Minutes

• Welcome & Announcements
• Introduce new Gove Street President – Lorraine Curry
• Office of Neighborhood Services Updates – Lina Tramelli
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor (link)
  • Logan ESPR Consultation Session
  • ZBA Hearings 10/29 10:30 AM (58 Lubec Street, 69 Lubec Street, 48 Geneva Street)
  • Gino’s Auto Body Proposal “Reduced”
  • Mt. Carmel Demolition Delay Applications – Final step before construction begins
  • Loftel Update – Problem Property fines in place; City is pursuing more severe fines.
• Revised GSCA By-Law Administration Proposal- Shawn Lu / Nat Taylor
  • Key Proposed Changes
    • Boundaries
    • Voting
    • Presentations
    • Restructured Sections
  • Timeline
    • October Meeting – 1st Presentation
    • November Meeting – 2nd Presentation & Vote
  • Discussion:
    • Thank you
    • What about AirBnB? Students? Short term residents?
    • Does 2 project attendance eligibility still apply
    • Abutter proxy voting?
• 10 Geneva Street – A proposal to erect a 4 story multi-family dwelling (7 units) with parking at grade. 1st Presentation / No Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
  • Proponent: Nick Yebba; all 2-bed 2-bath avg 900sqft; intended for home ownership
  • Site context: multi-family residential; current use: parking lot;
  • Plans: ground floor: 1 unit for ADA adaptability; parking; other floors: 2-units per floor; subject to change based on BPDA feedback
  • Zoning: Variances: FAR: 1.6 (1.0); Height: 4-story/37’ (3 story 35’); Open Space: 206 sqpu (300 sfpu); Parking: 7 (9); IPOD
  • Process: Long form Aug 2019; ZBA Appeal Sep 2019; Community outreach: TBD; ZBA Hearing: Jan 2020; BPDA Design Review: Winter 2020; Permit Issuance: Spring 2020; Construction begins: Spring 2020 (10-12 months to complete)
  • Comments
    • Prefer 3 stories to be consistent with existing buildings and there is a lack of parking. Response: It’s a short 4-story, but we feel this is the best design to be cost-effective and include parking; It’s consistent with the rear the units.
    • We appreciate the efforts on the height; this building would block views from 14 and 14A, which is 4-units, 8 parking spots. Response: I hear you. Your building is an anomaly with parking. Your roof deck could be raised.
    • What about the power lines? The rendering is illustrative, not exact.
    • Q: Is there any commitment to alleviate the conditions of the street? A: We are required to bring in our own utilities and will probably be tapped from Maverick St and will have to be up to the City standards. Paving or sidewalks will have to be a collective effort.
    • Q: Who owns this street? A: It is complicated. The City assumes a responsibility to ensure it is open and passable, but the strip they took by tax liens is probably returned to private ownership due to inaction.
• 255 Maverick Street – A proposal to raze the existing building and erect a mixed use 4 story building with 9 residential units and one retail unit with parking at grade. 1st Presentation / No Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
  • Proponent: Nick Yebba; Architect: Dan O’Sullivan
  • Project: 2 bed 2 bath avg 1000 sqft; intended for home ownership
  • Site context: 3-family; this side of the street has manufacturing uses and 4-story buildings;
  • Plans: ground floor has an entrance for cars; building has elevator; maintain retail space; typical floor plans; indoor trash room; height: 37.5’;
  • Zoning: Use: multi-family (3-family) (retail is allowed non-conforming use); FAR: 1.67 (1.0); Height: 4-story/37’ (3-story/35’); Open Space: 192 sqpu (300 sfpu); Parking: 9 (12)
  • Process: Long form Aug 2019; ZBA Appeal Sep 2019; Community outreach: TBD; ZBA Hearing: Jan 2020; BPDA Design Review: Winter 2020; Permit Issuance: Spring 2020; Construction begins: Spring 2020 (10-12 months to complete)
  • Discussion
    • Q: What is the rear setback? A: 30’ (code) Q: Where is the parking? A: 3 indoor, 6 outside; Q: Do you have a rendering of the rear? A: No. BPDA will require lots of screening (Architect gave out a copy)
    • Q: I think this is appropriate for Maverick Street. We think the prospective owners will have multiple cars.
    • Q: Is there space for bike racks? A: Yes.
    • Q: What will the retail be? A: Not restaurant; small grocery or professional offices;
    • Q: Will the existing market come back? A: It’s possible because it is a similar space.
    • Q: Is the current building deeper? A: Yes, the proposal has more setback.

Adjourned at 7:48PM.

• 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.