NEWNC Minutes for June 2011 Monthly Meeting

Monday, June 13, 2011 7:00 PM
Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St. 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call:  Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by  Donna Freni, newly-elected Council President – Donna welcomed new Council members Philip Frattaroli and Bill Lane. She announced the results of the Officer election:  Donna Freni, President; Marie Simboli, Vice President; Bill Lane, Secretary.

2. Meeting Protocol:  Read by Donna Freni.

3. Update from the Office of Neighborhood Services:  Nicole Leo reported on the Bike Lane community meeting held on June 6. The turnout was low, so the city will present the plan to NEWNC and NEWRA at their July meetings. Parking reduction will be between 5 and 10 spaces.

4. Report from the offices of local elected officials:  Stephen Passacantilli from City Councilor Sal LaMattina’s office announced that on Thurs., June 16, at  6 p.m., MassDOT is having an info meeting concerning the Tot Lot near the Callahan Tunnel vent building. The building is in disrepair and the status of the tiles falling into the Tot Lot will be discussed.

James Sutherland introduced himself, representing City Councilor Ayanna Presley’s office.

5. Greenway Committee:  Donna Freni reported that the grand opening for the Harbor Island Pavilion was held on June 2 and was well-attended.  On June 4-5, the Greenway hosted a participatory art event including dance, music and craft workshops. Victor Brogna commented that one of the performances was a rapper, who he didn’t find interesting. Donna commented that sound volume was an issue that raised some complaints. On June 12, there was a Race Amity event that was lightly-attended due to weather.  A list of upcoming summer season events was also reported.

6. Resident Parking/Traffic Committee:  No report

7. Public Safety Committee:  David Marx reported overall crime is down, as referenced at NorthEndWaterfront.com. However, burglaries are on the rise. Police continue to urge residents not to leave valuables in their cars.

He sought an update from Sgt. Lema on the progress of the investigation of the recent stabbing on Salem St. Sgt. Lema said the victim is well-known to the police and is not cooperating with them..

8. 10 Hanover Ave.:  Sean O’Connor has applied to the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of  Appeals seeking permission to add one bedroom and one bathroom to an existing unit (#3). This application will also require the building to go from 4 stories to 5 stories with a roof deck.

Mike Dello Russo, general contractor for the project, addressed the Council. There is currently a roof deck. The proposed plan would add a master bedroom and bath on the current roof of an existing unit, plus a staircase to a private roof deck. The building’s height will go from 43’1” to 52’7” and will not change the number of units. Fire egress is from one fire escape to an adjacent fire escape. Letters have gone to abutters. Sean has notified neighbors on Hanover Ave. Sean said he has had no objections from neighbors to the plan. One neighbor is reviewing the plan. Dennis Sasso, a resident of the building and president of the condo association, said Sean has been a respectful, model neighbor. He endorses the plan. Neighbor Roger Bullock said Sean has assured him that the new development will have no new windows overlooking Mr. Bullock’s property. Proposal was moved, seconded and approved by a vote of  8-0.c

9. 44 North Bennet Street:  Peter McGinnis has filed an appeal with the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals seeking to expand the rooftop head house into a residential unit that would include a roof deck. The expansion would increase the height of the front of the building from 42 feet to 52 feet.

The expansion would expand only the front of the head house area. The total height, excluding head house, would be 52 feet raised from the current 42 feet, with no roof deck. Mr. McGinnis said the plans have been approved, and they now must file an amendment and get approval for violating floor area ratio. He said he has sent letters to abutters and presented to NEWRA. One objection was from a neighbor who was concerned that he would not be able to escape to Mr. McGinnis’ roof deck, but the rear of the building would still be lower and able to be used for escape. Another neighbor expressed concern in the event he would later want to install windows; Mr. McGinnis pointed out that the neighbor’s plan would violate the fire code.  Stephen Passacantilli said he is concerned with the small size of the units, and the parking and student-tenant ramifications that could result. Mr. McGinnis said his building on Thacher Ct. has 300- sq.- ft. units, and is rented mostly by professionals. He said there have been few complaints about his buildings. He said that his real estate office will also be located there. Stephen said he has never seen Mr. McGinnis’ buildings on the list of problem properties.  He shared the concerns voiced by 46 N. Bennet St. neighbors in an email sent to the Council.  Mr. McGinnis said the rear roof deck is private. Stephanie Hogue expressed concern about whether an abutter had seen the plans, but he reportedly saw the plans when he attended the NEWRA meeting on this proposal. The ZBA hearing is June 21.

Bill Lane moved to support as proposed, with the proviso that any variance between the official filed plans and those presented to the Council would void the approval. Stephen Passacantilli seconded. Motion passed 6-2 with Jonathan Sproul and Ryan Kenny opposed. 

10. 162 Endicott St.: Glenn Taylor has applied to the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals seeking permission to extend living space of the first floor condominium into the basement. Timothy Burke, the architect, appeared. The ZBA hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23. Circumstances led to city inspectors discovering that a basement unit that had been considered a habitable unit was in fact not legally recognized. The proposal would alter the residency to recognize the unit. Part of the project would involve lowering the basement floor by 8 inches to comply with the required ceiling height. Ryan Kenny asked about construction dumpsters; the owner would seek to use live loading that would not take overnight parking spaces. The project would take about 1 month. Harold Kalick, who owns abutting property, said his concerns have been resolved through discussions with the owner and architect. The Kalick family’s basic concern is that there is currently a passageway that allows pedestrian traffic from the Endicott St. property to Thacher Ct. through the Kalick property, which the Kalick family would like to see permanently blocked, except for emergency egress. The abutter and the owner said that they can resolve the issue. Nicole Leo offered to facilitate the discussion.   The owner agreed to address the issues raised and to come back to NEWNC at the July meeting. 

Motion to table by Anne Devlin Tagliaferro, seconded by Ryan Kenny and passed  5-1;  Jonathan Sproul opposed.