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Community Notes, Events, Updates & Public Comment Request January 19-25, 2026
Notes
Harvard Ed Portal’s Weekly Newsletter
Strength & Conditioning, Career Cafe & Business Builders & More!
Project at 393 Cambridge Street will build Boston’s first hotel under Net Zero Carbon Zoning
Housing: 96 hotel rooms
Jobs: Approximately 30 permanent jobs, approximately 43 construction jobs
Community: Public realm improvements
Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon, LEED Gold
Located in Allston, this new seven-story hotel with 96 rooms will be the first hotel project in the city to be permitted under the new Net Zero Carbon Zoning. The building will include indoor and outdoor bike parking. As part of its mitigation commitment, the project will improve the public realm with new landscaping, sidewalks, street trees, a new raised crosswalk, and pedestrian connections. The project complies with the Allston-Brighton Mobility Plan by creating additional sidewalk dimensions on Cambridge Street, improving overall mobility for all users. As part of the community benefits, this project will contribute $30,000 towards the maintenance of nearby Ringer Park and Playground.
Events
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Flyer Attached)
2R–4R Egremont Road Abutters Meeting
Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Proposal: Second floor addition on an existing footprint, for 55-53 Cummings Road dwelling on 4 Egremont Road lot.
The purpose of this meeting is to get community input and listen to the resident’s positions on this proposal. This is a virtual meeting via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 160 740 0164
Please note, the City does not represent the occupant(s)/developer(s)/attorney(s)/applicant(s).
Email Contact: Sigurgeir Jonson (sigurgeir.jonson@boston.gov)
Kiwanis Club of Allston Brighton Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 12:00 noon
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time.
Devlin’s Bistro & Bar Restaurant
332 Washington St, Brighton
Email Contact: Bryna Leeder (wehbgclub@aol.com)
Boston Cannabis Board Public Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 1:00 pm
Meeting ID: 825 1706 4966
Passcode: 740359
Dial In Phone Number: 646-876-9923
Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. The BCB will accept testimony regarding each agenda item. Testimony will be limited to two (2) minutes and any additional testimony may be submitted in writing to cannabisboard@boston.gov. If you wish to testify please sign up online.
2. Castleleaf, LLC (“Castleleaf”)
Licensed Premise: 100 Leo Birmingham Parkway, Brighton
License Type: Marijuana Retailer and Product Manufacturer
Amend Operating Hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm Monday – Saturday
10:00am – 7:00pm Sunday
Proposed Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 10:00pm Monday – Saturday
10:00am – 8:00pm Sunday
Parks Fitness: Tai Chi with Joe
Boston Parks and Recreation
Wednesday January 21, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Repeats weekly on Wednesday, starting from January 7, 2026, until April 1, 2026
Participate in FREE fitness classes offered by one of our certified instructors. Our classes are a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, is used as a slow-moving exercise to achieve relaxation and stress reduction. Tai Chi offers benefits for the body, mind and spirit.”
Click the link below to sign up for the class on Eventbrite. This will allow you to add it to your calendar and receive updates if there are changes or cancellations due to the weather.
Veronica Smith Senior Community Center
20 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton
Email Contact: jennifer.misiaszek@boston.gov
Allston Civic Association January Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This meeting will only be held virtually and not in person. You can participate in this meeting online or by calling in.
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meeting agenda attached and posted at:
www.allstoncivicassociation.org
www.facebook.com/AllstonCivicAssociation
Anthony D’Isidoro, President
Allston Pudding: Best of 2010-2025 (Flyer Attached)
Allston Brighton Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast (Flyer Attached)
C is for Construction with Cynthia Clumeck Muchnick (Flyer Attached)
The Brighton Bazaar Presents Dead of Winter (Flyer Attached)
Friends of Faneuil Library Trivia Night (Flyer Attached)
Updates
Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing
Inspectional Services Department
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Hearings: 9:30 am
Case: BOA-1743924 Address: 24-26 Larose Place Ward 21 Applicant: Silvio Ribeiro
Article(s) Article 51, Section 9 Floor Area Ratio Excessive Article 51, Section 9 Bldg Height Excessive (Stories) Article 51, Section 9 Usable Open Space Insufficient Article 51, Section 9 Front Yard Insufficient Article 51, Section 9 Side Yard Insufficient
Purpose: Extend living space from Unit 2 into the Attic add dormers Remodel 2nd floor per architecture plans.
Video: Zoning Board of Appeal Hearings 1-13-2026 Part 1
Slide the time bar to 1:23:26
Outcome: Approved.
Case: BOA- 1781833 Address: 36 Champney Street Ward 22 Applicant: Jing Zhang
Article(s) Article 51, Section 9 Rear Yard Insufficient Article 51, Section 9 Floor Area Ratio Excessive
Purpose: Convert the current 1 family residence to a 2 family, build a new addition of 205 sqft kitchen in the 2nd floor, Install the 2nd exit and exterior stairs off the 2nd floor living room, build a dormer in one attic bedroom, build a new full bath in 1st floor, install walls for unit 1/2 partition
Video: Zoning Board of Appeal Hearings 1-13-2026 Part 1
Slide the time bar to 1:25:57
Outcome: Approved.
Re-Discussion: 11:30 am
Case: BOA-1719823 Address: 32 Gordon Street Ward 21 Applicant: George Morancy, Esq
Article(s) Article 51 Section 8 Use Regulations MFR use Forbidden Art. 51 Sec. 09 Dimensional Regulations Insufficient additional lot area per unit 11.17.25 Art. 51 Sec. 09 Dimensional Regulations Excessive f.a.r. Art. 51 Sec. 09 Dimensional Regulations Insufficient usable open space per unit Art. 51 Sec. 09 Dimensional Regulations Insufficient side yard setback Article 51, Section 56 Off Street Parking & Loading Req Insufficient parking Art. 51 Sec. 08 Use Regulations 5. Basement dwelling units forbidden New variance cited 11.17.25
Purpose: RENOVATE THREE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH 3 UNITS AND ONE PARKING SPACE TO HAVE 6 UNITS (BUILDING WILL NOT HAVE AN ELEVATOR. BUILDING WILL BE FULLY SPRINKLERED) NOMINAL FEE – REQUIRES ZONING RELIEF
Video: Zoning Board of Appeal Hearings 1-13-2026 Part 2
Slide the time bar to 23:28
Outcome: Approved.
Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 2026 @ 3:30 pm
ARTICLE 80 DEVELOPMENT/IDP
NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Allston
10. Request authorization to (1) issue a Determination waiving further review pursuant to Article 80A-6 of the Zoning Code in connection with the Notice of Project Change for the proposed construction of 171 residential rental units, including 29 IDP units, 66 car parking spaces, 95 bicycle parking spaces, 3,504 square feet of commercial space located at 445 – 449 Cambridge Street; and (2) execute an amended and restated Cooperation Agreement, and an amended and restated Affordable Rental Housing Agreement and Restriction, and an amended and restate Artist Affordable Rental Housing Agreement and Restriction; and to take all related actions.
Video: BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 1/15/2026
Slide the time bar to 48:49
Outcome: Approved.
11. Request authorization to (1) issue a Certification of Approval pursuant to Article 80E, Small Project Review of the Zoning Code, for the proposed construction of a hotel with 96 guest rooms and 4 off-street pick-up/drop-off and delivery car parking spaces located at 393 Cambridge Street, and (2) enter into a Community Benefits Agreement; and to take all related actions.
Video: BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 1/15/2026
Slide the time bar to 1:12:41
Outcome: Approved.
Brighton
12. Request authorization to (1) issue a Certification of Approval pursuant to Article 80E, Small Project Review of the Zoning Code, for the proposed construction of 26 residential homeownership units, including 4 IDP units, 9 car parking spaces, and 27 bicycle parking spaces, located at 1954 Commonwealth Avenue; and (2) execute a Community Benefits Agreement, and to take all related actions.
Video: BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 1/15/2026
Slide the time bar to 1:18:34
Outcome: Approved.
13. Request authorization to issue a Certification of Approval pursuant to Article 80E, Small Project Review of the Zoning Code, in connection with the proposed Notice of Project Change for the addition of 2 residential units located at 38 Hichborn Street; and to take all related actions.
Video: BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 1/15/2026
Slide the time bar to 1:24:54
Outcome: Approved.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
21. Informational Update: Harvard Allston Partnership Fund
Video: BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 1/15/2026
Slide the time bar to 2:36:11
Outcome: Acknowledged.
Public Comments
Want to know more about the planning initiatives that are happening in Allston-Brighton? Check out The Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) planning website https://www.bostonplans.org/planning-zoning/planning-initiatives/planning-in-allston-brighton to stay informed and learn about opportunities to comment. It is important to share direct community feedback about what is needed to make Allston-Brighton a great place to live and work now and in the future!
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