|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
From July 27 to August 3, there were abutters’ meetings regarding property at 1082 Commonwealth Avenue and 17 Bradbury Street. There was also an Impact Advisory Group meeting regarding property at 449 Cambridge Street.
In the upcoming two weeks, there are public meetings regarding property at 449 Cambridge Street on August 4 and 34-36 Pratt Street on August 11.
Confused about the terminology used?
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abutter’s Meeting | Property meeting where a project developer can get feedback and input from neighbors on a proposal |
| Zoning Board of Appeals | City of Boston board that reviews proposals for zoning compliance |
| Impact Advisory Group (IAG) | Group consisting of neighbors, project managers and property owners that meet to discuss and provide feedback on the impacts of a developmental project |
| Zoning Refusal Letter | Letter that highlights how a proposed development does not meet the zoning criteria set by the city |
| Variance | Request made by property owners/developers to deviate from the current zoning laws |
| Non-confirming use | Property use that was lawful when it was established but no longer complies with current zoning regulations |
| Floor-area ratio | Zoning measurement that sets a limit on developmental density via a ratio between building floor area and total lot size |
1082 Commonwealth Avenue Abutters’ Meeting on July 28
What is this development? The property at 1082 Commonwealth Avenue is currently a mixed-use building with 40 residential units and one garden-level commercial space. The proposal seeks to convert the commercial unit into a new two-bedroom rental apartment, increasing the total number of residential units to 41.
What stage is it in? The project is in the zoning variance stage. A community abutters’ meeting was held following the issuance of a zoning refusal letter. The letter cited violations related to non-conforming use and exceeding the allowable floor-area ratio. During this meeting, the applicant is seeking variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to proceed with the proposed conversion.
Who attended the meeting?
- Sigurgeir Johnson, Community Engagement Specialist, City of Boston Office of Neighborhood Services, facilitator
- Justin Byrnes, Project Legal Counsel, Pulgini & Norton LLP
- John Pulgini, Managing Partner, Pulgini & Norton LLP
- Two local neighbors/abutters
17 Bradbury Street: Abutters’ Meeting on July 30
What is this development? The site is currently used primarily as a parking lot. The proposal involves the construction of a three-unit residential building with three rear parking spaces at 17 Bradbury Street.
What stage is it in? The project is in the zoning variance stage. A community abutters’ meeting was held after the City issued a zoning refusal letter. The letter cited multiple zoning violations, including lack of required off-street parking, misalignment with neighboring front yards, insufficient lot area, width, and frontage, an excessive floor-area ratio, inadequate side yard space, and a shared driveway. During this meeting, the applicant is seeking variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to move forward with the proposal.
Who attended the meeting?
- Sigurgeir Johnson, Community Engagement Specialist, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, facilitator
- Dan Ustayev, Property Owner
- Jeff Drago, Project Legal Counsel
- Eric Zachrison, Project Architect
- Four local abutters provided feedback.
449 Cambridge Street Impact Advisory Group Meeting on July 31, 2025
What is this development? The property at 449 Cambridge Street is currently occupied by Cambridge Street Auto Service, JCB Auto, and the former Century Furniture store. In 2025, the development proposal was revised after the project team acquired the adjacent 445 Cambridge Street (formerly Cambridge Street Auto Service). Because of this purchase, the developers now proposed to build one bigger residential building at 449 Cambridge Street.
The developers also proposed multiple community benefits. Approximately 17% of the development will be reserved as affordable artist housing, with 29 Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) units designated for artists. Community benefits associated with the project include support for Allston Village Main Streets, a contribution to the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (ABCDC), two public murals and sidewalk vitrines, and enhanced transit access. The development team has committed to providing a 20 dollar transportation subsidy card for each resident in the units and funding a new MBTA bus stop nearby.
What stage is it in? The project is currently under community review as part of the Impact Advisory Group (IAG) process, during which local input is gathered before final city approvals are granted.
Who attended the meeting?
- Dylan Norris, Project Manager, Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), facilitator
- George Ledwith, Project Development Sponsor, ExCorde Capital
- One additional representative from ExCorde Capital
- Ben Harrison, Project Architect, SCB Architecture
- One additional representative from SCB Architecture
- Christine McMahon, Aide to Proponents for Community Relations and Permitting
- Two Impact Advisory Group (IAG) members and three local residents provided feedback.
More details on the development, including recordings, presentations, and scheduled meetings can be found here. ■