NEWNC Minutes for December 2011 Monthly Meeting

Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:00PM
Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St.

1.    Welcome – Donna Freni, President, welcomed everyone to the December NEWNC meeting.

2.    Call to order & Roll Call – Donna Freni, President, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Donna Freni, Marie Simboli, Bill Lane, Anne Devlin Tagliaferro, Jonathan Sproul, Philip Frattaroli, Jorge Mendoza, Giancarlo Tiberi, David Marx.  Absent:  Ryan Kenny and Stephen Passacantilli.

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

4.    Report from the Office of Neighborhood Services – Nicole Leo:  No report.   

5.    Report from the offices of local elected officials:

Representative Aaron Michlewitz of the North End wished the neighborhood a happy holiday season and thanked the Council for the work they do. He stated that taking public votes is not easy to do and he thanked the Council for taking a public stand.

No other public officials were present.

6.    Committee reports:

a. Resident Parking/Traffic Committee – Ryan Kenny, Chair< was away on business. In Ryan’s absence, Donna Freni reported that on December 19th Ryan and Boston Transportation Department official, Jim Mansfield, will conduct a walking tour of the north End to assess parking issues and opportunities for resident parking.

b. Public Safety Committee – David Marx, Chair, gave the following report:  Crime comparisons of the most recent 30-day period, compared to the same period a year ago,  were released:

	2010	2011
Robberies	2	0	Decrease of 2
Aggravated assaults	0	1	Increase of 1
Auto thefts	0	3	Increase of 3
Larceny from a vehicle	12	4	Decrease of 8
Towed vehicle	16	14	Decrease of 2

In the past month, 4 loud party complaints were called in at

-153-157 Endicott St.

-40 Fleet St.

-1 Noyes Place

-183 Endicott St.

The police have compiled a list of "problem properties" per resident complaints made at previous Public Safety Meetings.  Boston Police Department Commander Capt. Bernie O'Rourke, of Station A-1, instructed his men to check out and patrol these reported addresses.  As a result, within the last 30 days, 17 calls were made in the area, all of which were initiated on-site by the police officers. The addresses involved were:

-38 Fleet St.

-147 Endicott St.

-183 Endicott St.

-136 Prince St.

-153 Salem St.

-181 Endicott St.

-1 Noyes Place

Extra patrol cars will continue to be out on the streets between 11:45 p.m. & 3:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday nights through mid-December.  The extra patrols will resume in mid-January, once the students return to resume classes.

c. Bylaws Committee – Ryan Kenny, Chair.  In Ryan’s absence, Philip Frattaroli reported that the committee has submitted its draft of recommended revisions of the Bylaws to the full Council for their review and approval. The Council will meet January 3, 2012 to review and approve the revised Bylaws.

d. Greenway Committee – Donna Freni, Chair, gave the following report:

On December 8th at a well attended event, the Greenway unveiled Ice Chimes, a temporary interactive winter art exhibit on the Rowes Wharf Plaza.  The sculpture is 20 feet high and designed to collect rain and snow, forming icicles along the metal chimes. Wind will activate the chimes and cold will encourage the icicle growth. Designed by Moskow Linn Architects, the exhibit was installed by local fine builders Payne Bouchier with the assistance of structural engineers Siegel and Associates and will last through April 2012. Ice Chimes is part of Winter Lights on the Greenway, a series of lighting displays and innovative art installations intended to bring warmth and cheer to the Greenway during the darkest part of the year. It is hoped that people will linger in the parks, appreciate the beauty of nature amidst the urban setting and enjoy winter in the City.

Although the North End Elm Tree Lighting event was cancelled due to rain, the Elm Tree is illuminated as are the Stars and Globes under the pergola in the North End Parks.  Please enjoy the beautiful lights in the North End.

On December 14th, the Greenway Conservancy will host a Carousel Project Update Meeting to discuss the progress of the new custom carousel.

On New Year’s Eve, in the area of the Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion, there will food trucks as well as “Lighthouse,” a temporary art installation combining color and light projections designed and created by GoodGood Studio and New American Public Art.

Occupy Boston ended on the Greenway peacefully and orderly.  The Greenway Conservancy staff, along with Work Inc., removed all of the dead trees and pruned the trees that hopefully will be saved.  In addition, they have cleaned the area, deep raked the soil and added 36 pallets of organic sod in Dewey Square.  There’s no firm estimate on the cost resulting from the Occupy Boston encampment, but it will exceed $45,000.

7.  51-53 North Washington Street; 55 & 57-59 Cooper Street, former Joe Tecce’s Restaurant: Michele Holdings, LLC has filed an appeal for zoning relief to change the occupancy of the former Joe Tecce’s Restaurant to residential units.
            Dan Toscano represented the applicants, Geoff Caraboolade and Bill Anderson, on behalf of Michelle Holdings.
            At 55 Cooper St., the current violation involves expanding the existing conditional use to create residential space. 4 total units, all studio apartments, will result. Trash will be placed out for regular city pick-up. Basement space will be used for minor storage.
            At 57-59 Cooper St., the current use is 3 apartments and 1 restaurant. The new use will involve converting the restaurant to residential units. All units will be 1-bedroom. 
            At 45-51 N. Washington, the need is to establish legal occupancy as 8 units. Each floor will have a 2-bedroom and a 1-bedroom unit. Basement space will be renovated. The trash is hoped to be contained indoors. Violations are parking, open space, and conditional use of the 1^st floor apartment.
            Parking: No parking will be provided.  It is close to public transportation and it is hoped that tenants will use that as much as possible. The small triangular parcel across Cooper street is still not in the applicant’s control. No plans have been made for that parcel, but it could be used as parking for the restaurant. The parcel was cleaned as soon as the applicant took over, although Jorge Mendoza stated that there is still a problem with cleanliness.
            Marie Simboli suggested that trash containers might be feasible to be placed out on N. Washington St., but Mr. Toscano declined to commit to it. The plan remains to be for residents to place bags out for regular city collection.
            Jonathan Sproul asked about the decision to set the occupancy at 8 units. The  applicant said the decision came down to the building layout. All units except those in 55 Cooper St. meet the city’s apartment size guidelines.
            David Marx asked about the valet parking license. The license is gone, and any new one will be smaller than the previous one. Mr. Toscano said the applicant would work with the city on maximizing available spaces.
            The kind of new restaurant has not been decided, but the applicants will come back to the neighborhood to discuss the new plan.
            A property manager has been hired to manage the property.
            The billboard will remain for many years. Ann Pistorio asked for more information, but the applicant said they don’t have control over it.
            The rents will increase, but the old rent was also high, and units have not been renovated for some time. Jon Sproul expressed concern over the loss of housing access to those unable to pay the higher rents.
            Neighborhood notification was mailed to Stillman, Cooper, N. Washington and Endicott streets.
            Phil Orlandella reminded the Council that this project is in addition to a prior plan to put 16 units into the granite building, which was previously approved by NEWNC.
            MetricCorp.com shows the types of developments the applicant has done elsewhere.
            A resident suggested that the triangular parcel has an area of grease buildup that should be steam-cleaned.
            Jorge Mendoza asked about plans to use the triangular parcel for dumpsters or containers. The applicant said it will not be used for parking or storage during construction, except by permission. It is now padlocked.

            Jon Sproul moved to support the application to change the legal occupancy from a restaurant and storage to  8 residential units at 51 N. Washington St.; to change the legal occupancy from 3 residential units to 4 at 57-59 Cooper St.; and to expand the living space at 55 Cooper St.. Anne Devlin Tagliaferro seconded. Approved 8-0.

8.  28 Parmenter Street: Sandy Russo, owner/operator of LuLu’s Candy Shoppe located at 61 Salem Street has entered into a lease agreement with the land owner of 28 Parmenter Street to open a retail business at that location.  No zoning relief or CV license is required.
            The location will be used for most of the company’s baking, and will be used for classes and specialty parties. The location is already zoned as retail, so no zoning changes are needed.
            Jorge Mendoza asked about permits required for parties. Mr. Toscano said no additional permits will be required for the proposed use.
            Ms. Russo said the ovens will be electric convection so as to need no venting. They are relatively low heat, and will include a stove for simple cooking. The site will help supply the needs of Lulu’s shop.
            Notification letters have been mailed to residents along Parmenter Street.
            No audience questions. No Council vote was necessary.

9. 5-6 Lathrop Place; 19 & 29 North Square, Paul Revere House:  the Paul Revere Memorial Association has filed an appeal for zoning relief to convert the existing residential property to accessory cultural use, renovate the courtyard and provide improved access as part of the expansion plans for the Paul Revere House.
            Nina Zineri and Carl King, plus architect Don Knowles, presented the application. The building was purchased in 2007, and was in bad shape. The initial investment was to gut and repair the building. It is National Register eligible, and retains a large degree of historical character.
            Handicap access will be in an elevator in that building, rather than Paul Revere access; first-floor access will be improved; there will be expanded exhibit space; and more restrooms. The main addition will be to restore a historical landmark to the North End.
            Entry will be from North Square. Use and occupancy is currently a single-family house and is unoccupied. The courtyard is used for programs, house access and a ticket booth. The plan will eliminate the steps to the Revere House, as well as the Lathrop house, without need for lifts. Second-floor handicap access will be by an exterior ramp that will connect to the Paul Revere House.
            The Lathrop Place building has been restored to 1835 and 1890 eras. There will be three public levels of the building. The first floor will add program space. The Second floor will be accessible by a small elevator, and will provide accessible access to the upper floor of the Paul Revere House. The third floor will have a non-public roof deck.
            Variances are not required for the site.
            Carl King said the site is technically 3 sites. The “accessory cultural” use requires a conditional use permit.
            The site straddles areas within and outside the Groundwater Overlay District. The entire site will be treated as if it were inside the district, and review will be required by Boston Water and Sewer District.
            David Marx complimented the project on the addition of interior gathering space and additional restrooms.
            Jon Sproul asked about funding. $2.8 million of the eventual $4 million capital campaign has been raised, and a number of grants have been won, both public and private. Fees are not planned to increase, even though it is currently considered low. If any, an increase will be small. The finances work within the current model. The free admission for North End residents will continue. The facility will remain open during construction.
            Freedom Trail Foundation involvement has been mostly in marketing. The National Park Service has been the main partner, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities and Boston Landmark.
            Neighborhood notification has been sent out.
            David Marx moved to support the application. Bill Lane seconded. Approved 8-0.

10. 280-292 Commercial Street, Laz Parking:  Laz Parking has filed for renewal of its conditional use permit for open air parking (69 space parking lot).
            Todd Gilbert represented the applicant. The lot has been in the North End for about 25 years. The application is for a 3-year extension.
            The 588 Commercial St. lot improvements are complete.
            Zipcars and DriveMint cars are parked there.
            The applicant is planning to patch, resurface and seal the lot, possibly in the spring.
            A resident praised the care of the lot, and the operator’s excellent management and communication with neighbors.
            Neighborhood notification has been sent.
            Neil Denenberg of Commercial Street praised the people and the management of the lot.
            Bill Kelleher of 305 North St. supported the lot because of the options it provides in light of the parking shortage of the neighborhood.
            Jorge Mendoza moved to support the application. Anne Devlin Tagliaferro seconded. Approved 8-0.