NEWNC Minutes for July 2011 Monthly Meeting

Monday, July 11, 2011  7:00 PM
Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St.

Executive Session:  President Donna Freni appointed Ryan Kenny, Philip Frattaroli and David Marx to the Bylaws Committee.  The Council voted Ryan Kenny as Chairman of the Committee.

Call to order & Roll Call:  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Donna Freni, President.   All Council Members were present except Jonathan Sproul.

Meeting Protocol:  Marie Simboli, Vice President, read the meeting protocol.

Update from the Office of Neighborhood Services:  Nicole Leo reported that NEWMA’s concerns over burglaries have been directed to Sgt. O’Rourke’s office at the Boston Police Department, Area A-1.

Report from the offices of local elected officials:  Stuart Rosenberg from City Councilor Felix Arroyo’s office introduced himself as a representing the Councilor’s office.

Stephen Passacantilli represented Councilor Sal LaMattina’s office and reported that the City Council passed a Segway Ordinance, which is currently in place despite an ongoing court challenge.   Enforcement of fines and restrictions are currently underway.

Committee Reports:

a. Resident Parking/Traffic Committee:  Chairman Ryan Kenny reported that he spoke with City officials about residents being exempt from the 2 hour limit on visitor parking. The City is receptive to this idea. Officials would like input from local businesses before making any change official.  A compromise proposal might be to keep enforcing visitor parking on Hanover Street, but allow residents to be exempt from the 2 hour limit on all other visitor parking spots.  Local businesses will be contacted for their input.  Parking enforcement officers are paid overtime on nights of Garden events to enforce resident parking during these events.  It is not clear whether it is the TD Garden or the Celtics who pay this cost.  Ryan is waiting to hear back on the frequency that these officers will be engaged in this enforcement effort.  Ryan asked if residents can re-park after street sweeping has been performed on a given street. Technically, the official answer is no; motorists cannot park during the hours posted for street sweeping.   However, it is unlikely that motorists will be ticketed after the street has been swept.  If they are, Ryan suggested that it be taken up with the parking appeals office as they can track via GPS to see if street was swept before/after the motorist parked in a spot. Ryan will try to get statistics by the September NEWNC meeting on non-resident tickets issued.  Jim Mansfield, Director of Community Affairs at the Boston Transportation Department, will be invited to attend the NEWNC meeting in September to address concerns and answer questions.

Ann Pistorio, N. Margin Street, asked how many parking spaces were in the North End. There are approximately 1,500 resident spots in the North End for approximately 4,000 cars with resident parking stickers. Ann said it’s regrettable that citizens must pay to park while commercial vehicles have up to 6 hours of free parking that clogs the streets.

b. Public Safety Committee: Chairman David Marx reported that overall crime in Area A-1 is down 16 percent from January 1st to July 4th, compared to the same period last year.  There were 8 arrests in the last 30 days (3 of which pertained to the Boston Bruins’ victory parade).  David reported on the number of burglaries per month as: March = 14; April = 5; May = 12; June = 3; and July = 0 (as reported at the July 7th Public Safety Committee meeting).  Two burglaries have occurred since that meeting. There were 9 larcenies from motor vehicles over the last 30 days as compared to 4 during the same period last year.  There was a bank robbery at Sovereign Bank on Hanover Street on June 15th.  There will be no Public Safety Committee meeting in August.

c. Bylaws Committee:  Chairman Ryan Kenny reported that the Council will meet in Executive Session on August 15th to update and revise the Council bylaws.

d. Greenway Committee: Chairman Donna Freni reported that there will be a joint public meeting of the Greenway Leadership Council and the Conservancy Board on July 12^th at 9:00 a.m., in the first-floor conference room at 185 Kneeland St.  The public is invited.  The Board and the GLC will do a walk of the Chinatown Park with the public.
Public art has been installed on the Greenway. In addition to the “Modern Dance” sculpture in the Wharf District Park across from Rowes Wharf, “Urban Garden,” a group of three contemporary sculptures based on botanical forms, has been installed in the Fort Point Channel Parks.  Donna also reported that opening day of the Greenway Open Market was Saturday, July 9th, in the Wharf District Parks.  This new weekly open-air crafts market had a successful first day and will run for 11 weeks between July and September.  Progress continues on the construction of the Armenian Heritage Park, which MassDOT anticipates will open in the spring of 2012.

55-57 North Washington Street:  Michelle Holdings LLC filed an appeal with the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals seeking zoning relief to change the legal occupancy of the building from a restaurant and 12 residential units to a restaurant and 16 residential units.  The first floor of the building houses a portion of Joe Tecce’s Ristorante.  The plans include the conversion of the existing second-floor dining/function room into 4 residential units.

            Attorney Daniel Toscano represented the applicant and was joined by Tim Caraboolad and Bill Anderson of Michelle Holdings.  He said that with the proposed changes the building plan would revert to a plan that existed in the 1970s.  He presented copies of the second floor plan to the Council.  A notification letter was sent to abutters on June 21st by flyer.  A denial letter and an application for appeal were also filed.  The Zoning Board of Appeal hearing is scheduled for July 12th.
            The units would be sold as luxury condos: one 2-bedroom unit with 1,222sf and three 1-bedroom units ranging from 944sf to 1077sf.  The entrance would be the same entrance used for Joe Tecce’s Ristorante, using the existing stairs that serve the function hall.  Construction will involve remodeling all units in the building and the renovation will be completed in approximately six months.  A construction trash container will be located on N. Washington Street and will be removed to preserve the quality of life.
            The existing valet zone could be reduced, adding residential parking spaces to the degree possible.  Several of the existing roof condenser units will removed and others will be upgraded to reduce noise and congestion.
            Trash has been a matter of concern, including a barrel of oil.  Mr. Toscano acknowledged that the dumpsters on Cooper Street have become a nuisance.  He stated that Michelle Holdings cannot touch Tecce’s property that has been frozen during a bankruptcy proceeding.  He also stated that Michelle Holdings is committed to cleaning up the nuisance as soon as possible.  Jorge Mendoza asked why a landlord couldn’t require his tenant, Joe Tecce’s Ristorante, to keep his property clean and free of odor.  Bill Anderson stated that he agreed it is a problem, but said that Joe Tecce’s has a right to continue using the space.  He suggested that trash pickup could be more frequent.  The applicant has filed a health code complaint.  Stephen Passacantilli asked if trash could be collected more often.

            Nicole Leo asked if the dumpsters were leased by the rubbish company, and whether that could be a factor that would ease the problem.  Mr. Toscano said that the applicant is aware of the neighborhood’s concern and is addressing it.  As to the additional parking demand created by the new condos, Mr. Toscano said the location is one that is well-positioned for access to public transportation, and he cannot foresee how many of the new residents will own vehicles.
            Mr. Anderson said the purchase agreement gives Joe Tecce’s Ristorante a right to occupy the restaurant and that there is no time limit on this agreement.

            Ann Pistorio asked if there were any plans to add a roof deck and the response was that there will be none.

            Ryan Kenny, asked about the zoning violation for insufficient usable open space.  Mr. Toscano replied that it is common in the North End to violate that provision.

            Anne Devlin Tagliaferro moved to table the application and Jorge Mendoza seconded.  The motion failed 3-6.

            Bill Lane, moved to support the application and Stephen Passacantilli seconded. The motion passed 5-4.

Bike Lanes:  Nicole Freedman of the Mayor’s Bike Program, Consultants Nick Jackson and Michelle Danila, as well as Vinit Gupta of the Boston Transportation Department made a presentation on the Boston Bikes Program, which included a power point presentation.  The current proposal is for a bike lane along Atlantic Avenue and Commercial Street with the removal of approximately 15-20 parking spaces.

            The Mayor’s Bike Program is working to transform the city into a world-class biking city.   The Bike Share Program will launch in July, including a station in the North End near Pilot Wharf.  Nicole Freeman explained that the Bike Share Program will allow people to easily rent a bike at a station without a reservation and return it to any station. 

            Donna Freni, asked if they intended to paint the bike lane.  Vinit Gupta responded that painting the lane will require periodic repainting and that is something the city tries to avoid except for special cases.  Lane coloring has shown a safety benefit at intersections, and coloring those areas is under consideration in this project.

            Jorge Mendoza asked about the current commuter trips and budget. The total budget is approximately $30,000-$40,000.

            Ryan Kenny said he doesn’t believe the North End is an appropriate neighborhood for bike lanes, particularly with the loss of 15-20 spaces.

            Ann Pistorio asked about liability. The city would not increase its exposure to liability.

            Tourist maps and Boston bike maps are currently available.

            Philip Frattaroli asked about statistics pertaining to bike lanes reducing trip counts. Vinit Gupta said that some research supports this.

            At the request of Donna Freni, Vinit Gupta said that they will revisit the number of lost parking spaces and a will make a more detailed assessment with the goal to save as many parking spaces as possible.  He also stated that the Boston Transportation Department will share a detailed parking plan with the Council.

            Stephen Passacantilli said he supports bike lanes, regardless of parking loss.

            No vote was required following the neighborhood outreach presentation.

69 Prince Street:  Daniel Surian, El Triunfo Restaurant, applied to the City of Boston’s Licensing Board for a 36A Take Out license to be exercised at this address.

            Anne Devlin Tagliaferro asked if Mr. Surian would replace the neon sign currently in the window of this establishment.  Mr. Surian agreed to replace the neon sign.

            Jorge Mendoza moved to support the application and Stephen Passacantilli seconded.  The motion passed 9-0.   

162 Endicott Street:  Glenn Taylor applied to the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals seeking permission to extend the living space of the first floor condominium into the basement.

It was noted that at the June 13^th NEWNC meeting, the Council voted to table the application pending an emergency egress agreement with the property neighbor, Harold Kalick.

            Timothy Burke, the project architect, appeared with Mr. Taylor and gave the Council an update on Mr. Taylor’s attempts to reach an agreement with Mr. Kalick.  To date, Mr. Kalick has not been available to resolve the dispute over the emergency egress and an agreement has not been reached.

 Mr. Taylor is scheduled to appear at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on August 23^rd to address violations of floor area ratio, open space and parking.  Use of the property will not change.

            Anne Devlin Tagliaferro moved to support the application and Bill Lane seconded. The motion passed 9-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.