Executive Summary
The City of Boston Zoning Board of Appeal met on January 27, 2026, to deliberate on various residential and commercial zoning appeals, including extensions, final arbiter cases, and new project proposals. Significant actions included the approval of a 144-unit residential development at 181 West 1st Street under Article 80, the approval of a 4-unit condominium project at 27 Millett Street featuring an affordable housing unit, and the conversion of a single-family home to a two-family dwelling at 774 East Broadway despite notable neighborhood opposition. The Board also granted several extensions and deferred multiple cases to March and April 2026 to allow for plan revisions and further community engagement.
Meeting Information
- Date: January 27, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM
- Governing Body: Zoning Board of Appeal
- Meeting Type: Remote Hearing via Zoom
- Board Members Present: Sherry Dong (Chair), Norm Stembridge (Secretary), Giovanny Valencia, Shamaiah Turner, Hansy Better Barraza, Jeanne Pinado, David Collins (joined at 9:45 AM).
Approval of Minutes and Extensions
Minutes Approval
- The Board voted to approve the hearing minutes from January 13, 2026.
- Vote: 6-0 (Collins absent).
Extensions
- The Board granted extensions for the following cases:
- BOA 1562160: 61 Lithgow Street
- BOA 12720821: 123 Fisher Avenue
- BOA 1444961: 354 East E Street
- BOA 1521747 & 1521739: 5-7 Brown Terrace
- BOA 1521753 & 1521740: 9-11 Seaford Avenue
- BOA 1193958: 1154-1156 Gloucester Avenue
- Vote: 6-0 (Collins absent).
Board Final Arbiter Cases
27 Wendover Street (BOA-170-2915)
- Applicant: Mike Ross (Prince Lobel) and Peter Rubenko (Architect).
- Proposal: Modify a previously approved 9-unit structure with 13 parking spaces to a 6-unit structure with 9 parking spaces to ensure project feasibility.
- Discussion: Member Valencia questioned the reduction in units and the elimination of affordable units. The applicant noted the 6-unit scheme was more consistent with the 3F5000 zoning and neighborhood requests.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
28-30 Geneva Street (BOA-147-6876)
- Applicant: Richard Lenz.
- Proposal: Reduce parking from 19 to 14 spaces (eliminating a stacker system) and add roof decks to a 26-unit residential project currently under construction.
- Discussion: Member Better Barraza inquired about the lack of a Notice of Project Change (NPC) for the roof decks. The applicant stated the BPD determined an NPC was not required as the decks are allowed by right under Article 53.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
Public Hearings - 9:30 AM
29 Willow Street (BOA-180-3497)
- Proposal: Construct a two-unit residential structure on a vacant lot in Roslindale.
- Public Comment: Susan Schiffler (abutter) expressed concerns regarding retaining walls, slope stability, and building height. Mary Bone (Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association) questioned the removal of old-growth trees.
- Action: Approved with BPD design review, specifically focusing on parking configuration to prevent front-yard parking.
- Vote: 6-0 (Collins recused).
27 Millett Street (BOA 178-9141)
- Proposal: Erect a three-story, 4-unit condominium building. Includes one affordable unit at 80% AMI for a 30-year term.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
11 Inwood Street (BOA 1767611)
- Proposal: Amend an existing permit to change occupancy from a three-family to a four-family residential building.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
9 Hamlet Street (BOA 1802569)
- Proposal: Legalize an existing basement unit to change occupancy from a three-family to a four-family dwelling.
- Action: Approved with a proviso of no building code relief.
- Vote: 7-0.
Public Hearings - 11:00 AM
181 West 1st Street (BOA 180-3623)
- Proposal: Article 80 project to construct 144 residential units with 101 parking spaces and ground-floor retail.
- Details: The project includes 13% affordable housing and varies in height from four to six stories.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
748-750 East Broadway (BOA 1775791)
- Proposal: Change allowed occupancy of the first floor to a bank and the basement to a fitness/Pilates studio.
- Public Comment: ONS reported that neighbors were not receptive to a bank use, preferring active retail.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
18 Intervale Street (BOA 170-7353)
- Proposal: Erect a new single-family dwelling with garage parking on an 1,800 sq. ft. lot.
- Action: Approved.
- Vote: 7-0.
Public Hearings - 11:30 AM
774 East Broadway (BOA 1762034)
- Proposal: Convert a single-family dwelling to a two-family dwelling via interior renovation and addition of egress platforms.
- Public Comment: Significant opposition was noted, including a petition with 87 signatures. Robert Hopkins (Attorney for abutters) cited privacy concerns regarding rear decks located three feet from bathroom windows.
- Action: Approved with a proviso for privacy screens on the rear structures.
- Vote: 7-0.
2-4 Danny Road (BOA 177-4198)
- Proposal: Construct a two-family dwelling on a 4,000 sq. ft. lot.
- Action: Approved with provisos for BPD site plan review and a requirement for only one curb cut.
- Vote: 7-0.
Withdrawals and Deferrals
- 198 Marion Street (BOA 178703): Deferred to March 10, 2026.
- 18-22 Reed Street (BOA 178-8402): Deferred to March 24, 2026.
- 128 Bennington Street (BOA 1787097): Deferred to March 10, 2026.
- 49-51 Callender Street (BOA 1766723): Deferred to March 10, 2026.
- 100 Huntington Ave (BOA 170-3445): Deferred to April 7, 2026.
- 87 Morris Street (BOA 148-2368): Deferred to April 28, 2026.
- 19 Bodwell Street (BOA 1776341): Deferred to March 24, 2026, for a certified plot plan and adequate drawings.