Zoning Board of Appeal

Zoning Board
March 10, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal held a virtual hearing on March 10, 2026, to deliberate on a wide range of residential and commercial appeals, including new multi-unit developments, building code variances, and occupancy changes. Significant actions included the approval of a six-unit residential project at 60 Byron Street, an eight-unit development at 26 Eastern Street, and a complex eight-unit townhouse project at 567-577 Adams Street. The Board also addressed several requests for extensions and deferrals while emphasizing neighborhood context, parking requirements, and the preservation of open space in their decisions.

Meeting Metadata

  • Governing Body: Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA)
  • Meeting Date: March 10, 2026, at 09:30 AM
  • Meeting Type: Remote/Virtual Hearing via Zoom
  • Board Members Present: Norm Stembridge (Secretary), Giovanny Valencia, Alan Langham, Katie Whewell, Shamaiah Turner, Mr. Bernal, and the Chair.

Approval of Minutes

  • Action: The Board voted to approve the hearing minutes from February 12, 2026, and February 24, 2026.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

Extensions

  • Action: The Board considered and granted extensions for the following cases:
    • BOA 113-3499: 117 Coleridge Street
    • BOA 1333-102: 4 to 6 Woodville Park
    • BOA 107-4303: 99 to 105 Fairmont Avenue
    • BOA 150-7893: 1809 to 1813 Dorchester Avenue
    • BOA 1527: 112 to 114 Chelsea Street
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

4 Haynes Street (Case BOA 1813655)

  • Proposal: Groundwater Conservation Overlay District case.
  • Action: The applicant requested a deferral to March 24, 2026, to align with other pending violations.
  • Vote Outcome: 6-1 (Motion Carries). Roll Call: Stembridge (No), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

86 Pembroke Street (Case BOA 1813655 - Building Code)

  • Proposal: Variance from the building code to allow roof deck access via a hatch rather than a penthouse/head house, consistent with South End Zoning Code Article 64-34 and South End Landmarks Commission guidelines.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

60 Byron Street (Case BOA 1809938)

  • Proposal: Demolish an existing two-unit dwelling and construct a new six-unit residential building with six parking spaces. The project is located in an EBR-3 district.
  • Discussion: Attorney Richard Lins noted the project meets Article 53 requirements except for lot width (50 feet provided vs. 55 feet required). The neighborhood association supported the project specifically because it included parking.
  • Public Comment:
    • Eva Jones (Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services): Deferred to the Board; noted the Harborview Neighborhood Association voted 10 in favor and 7 opposed.
    • Stefan (Councilor Coletta Zapata's Office): Supported the project due to the inclusion of parking.
  • Action: Approved with BPDA design review, with special attention to improving parking configuration and increasing usable open space.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

62 Liverpool Street (Case BOA 1811519)

  • Proposal: Extension of an existing six-unit multi-family dwelling to increase habitable space (converting one-bedroom units to two-bedroom units).
  • Discussion: Attorney Richard Lins explained that a previously approved standalone three-unit building on the site was abandoned due to Fire Department access issues.
  • Public Comment: Support from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Councilor Coletta Zapata, and the Boston Groundwater Trust.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

12 Ludlow Street (Case BOA 1799116)

  • Proposal: Three-story addition (168 total square feet) to an existing 890-square-foot single-family home.
  • Public Comment:
    • Mitra Chavarini (Abutter): Opposed the project, citing the elimination of the rear yard setback and concerns regarding construction impacts on a neurodivergent family member.
    • Siggy Johnson (ONS): Noted a petition of support with 43 signatures.
  • Action: Approved. (Board member Valencia recused himself).
  • Vote Outcome: 6-0. Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

10 Harold Park (Case BOA 1763761)

  • Proposal: Change occupancy from a three-family to a five-family dwelling and renovate the existing structure.
  • Discussion: The project utilizes existing space in the lower level and a fourth-story mansard. The lot is over 8,700 square feet.
  • Public Comment: Support from the Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association and 10 letters of support.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

25 Tina Avenue (Case BOA 1774682)

  • Proposal: Erect a new three-story residential building with three ownership units and three parking spaces on a 3,600-square-foot vacant lot.
  • Public Comment:
    • Natalie Reed (Abutter): Opposed, citing 11 zoning violations and parking concerns on a private way.
    • Jocelyn Campbell (Attorney for Oakwood Street LLC): Opposed, stating the project is too large for the lot.
    • Charlene Brantley (Abutter): Supported the project and the opportunity for homeownership.
  • Action: Approved with BPDA design review for open space, parking configuration, and the use of permeable materials.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

26 Eastern Street (Case BOA 1732278)

  • Proposal: Demolish an existing two-family structure and construct a new four-story, eight-unit residential building with eight parking spaces.
  • Public Comment: The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association voted in opposition, citing overdevelopment. Councilor Enrique PepĂ©n's office submitted a letter of support.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

555-567 East Broadway (Case BOA 1798179)

  • Proposal: Add a roof deck to an existing townhouse condominium.
  • Public Comment:
    • Ashley (Councilor Flynn's Office): Strongly opposed, citing a "good faith compromise" during the original construction to exclude roof decks.
    • Siggy Johnson (ONS): Noted opposition from the Gate of Heaven Neighborhood Association.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 6-1. Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (No), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

203 Clare Avenue (Case BOA 1804462)

  • Proposal: Erect a four-story residential building with four units (three bedrooms each) and four parking spaces on a 12,500-square-foot lot.
  • Action: Approved with BPDA design review for the basement unit and a requirement to close one of the two existing curb cuts.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

110 West Concord Street (Case BOA 1760013)

  • Proposal: Construct a roof deck and staircase access over the second floor.
  • Public Comment:
    • Mohamed Hamidi (Abutter): Opposed, citing significant impacts on privacy and natural light to his adjacent bay window.
    • Marcus Springer (Architect): Argued the impact is negligible and the design was modified to slope away from the neighbor's window.
  • Action: Approved.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

567-577 Adams Street (Case BOA 1790972)

  • Proposal: Renovate an existing structure into three units and construct five new connecting townhouses in the rear (eight units total) for homeownership. Includes nine parking spaces.
  • Discussion: Attorney Mike Ross noted the project includes one affordable unit at 80% AMI. The lot is 11,754 square feet.
  • Public Comment:
    • Evan Jones (ONS): Noted the St. Mark's Area Civic Association voted 2 in favor and 12 opposed due to density concerns.
    • Councilor Fitzgerald and Councilor Murphy: Supported the project.
  • Action: Approved with BPDA design review, a housing agreement with the Mayor's Office of Housing, and a review of parking-to-open-space ratios.
  • Vote Outcome: 7-0 (Unanimous). Roll Call: Stembridge (Yes), Valencia (Yes), Langham (Yes), Whewell (Yes), Turner (Yes), Bernal (Yes), Chair (Yes).

Last updated: Mar 13, 2026

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