The Zoning, Licensing & Construction Committee of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association has posted its latest monthly report which was distributed at the March 10, 2011 meeting. The report is shown below and available on www.NEWRA.org. Contact zlc@newra.org for more information.
Zoning, Licensing and Construction Committee Report
March 10, 2011
Current Applications
The following applications are on NEWRA’s March 10, 2011, agenda for vote consideration:
357 Commercial Street (Lincoln Wharf) Units 712-713, Nasser Buisier: appeal for zoning relief to enclose two existing outdoor patios to create additional living space. The ZLC Committee reviewed this project at its meeting on January 25, 2011. The owners of an abutting residential condo unit raised concerns about the impacts of construction to their unit and the effect of the proposed enclosure on the building’s roof drainage. At the ZLC Committee’s request, the applicant provided construction plans to the abutters for their review. The applicant also made assurances that there would be no adverse impacts to the other units and explained that the project would actually improve the handling of roof drainage. The proposed enclosure is similar to several other deck enclosures that have been approved and constructed. The Board of Appeal hearing date is April 5, 2011.
101-107 Atlantic Ave., The Living Room, John Hauck has applied to the Licensing Board for the City of Boston to extend the closing hour in the existing All-Alcohol Beverages License from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only, and for Private Events. The owner submitted to NEWRA a copy of the formally filed license amendment application on March 9, 2011. The Licensing Board has not yet scheduled a hearing.
101-107 Atlantic Ave., The Living Room, John Hauck has applied to the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing to modify The Living Room’s live entertainment license to allow a disc jockey for public clientele on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights until 1:00 AM. The establishment’s existing entertainment license allows automated recorded music for public clientele until 1:00 AM and a disc jockey for Private Events only. The owner submitted to NEWRA a copy of the formally filed entertainment license application on March 9, 2011. The City of Boston Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing has not yet scheduled a hearing.
Greenway Parcel 13 – Armenian Heritage Park
Design of the Armenian Heritage Park on Parcel 13 was completed last year, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation issued the Notice to Proceed with construction to the low bidder, Barletta Construction Company, effective December 31, 2010. Construction is expected to commence this spring.
BTD Hazardous Cargo Truck Route Study
As of the end of January, the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) had not yet completed its study of alternative hazardous cargo truck routes through and around Boston. The study was originally scheduled to be completed in August 2010. Meanwhile, hazardous cargo trucks continue to use the Charlestown Bridge, North Washington Street, Cross Street and other surface roads along the Greenway. Once the study is complete, BTD plans to file it with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. BTD expects that it and MassDOT will hold public meetings on the study and a recommended long-term route. The ZLC Committee will discuss at its next meeting, on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, the status of this study and what steps NEWRA can and should take to get BTD to bring a formal update on the study and the current hazardous cargo trucking conditions to the community.
Recent Licensing Board Hearings and Decisions
The Licensing Board for the City of Boston has approved the following alcohol license transfers, both of which NEWRA voted to support at its meeting on February 10, 2011:
54 Salem Street, “Vito’s,” Damien DiPaola: application to transfer the C.V. Malt and Wine Beverages with Cordials License formerly exercised by Eclano Restaurant to operate a new restaurant at the same location. The license has a 1:00 AM closing hour, seven days.
78-80 Salem Street, Marisa Iocco: application to transfer the C.V. Malt and Wine Beverages License formerly exercised by Grezzo Restaurant at 69 Prince Street to operate a new restaurant at 78-80 Salem Street, formerly Michael’s Salon. The license currently has an 11:00 PM closing hour seven days. The transfer application requested closing hours of 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 AM Friday and Saturday. The 78-80 Salem Street location, a one-story building, is currently not zoned for restaurant use. The Licensing Board’s approval is conditioned on the applicant obtaining the necessary zoning approvals.
The Licensing Board has deferred decision to March 17, 2011, on the application at 112 Salem Street, La Famiglia Giorgio by Albert Giorgio for a new C.V. All-Alcohol Beverages License with closing hour of 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 AM Saturday and Sunday, which would replace the restaurant’s current license that allows the service of Malt, Wine and Cordials only. The application included a request to condition the Licensing Board’s approval with the restriction that the existing Malt, Wine and Cordial license not be transferred by the licensee or reissued by the Licensing Board within the North End, thereby not increasing the total number of licenses in the neighborhood. NEWRA voted to support this application at its meeting on February 10, 2011.
The City of Boston Board of Appeal approved the conditional use application at 99-101 Salem Street, Mercato del Mare, Liz Ventura and Keri Cassidy to add take-out as an allowed use. NEWRA had voted to support the application for take-out at its meeting on January 18, 2011.
Application Updates and Upcoming Hearings
196 Endicott Street, Esmaeil Mahdavi: appeal for zoning relief to convert the building from a 3-family dwelling to a 4-family dwelling by converting the basement to a residential unit. The Board of Appeal hearing, originally scheduled for February 22, 2011, is postponed to allow the applicant to make plan changes and approach the community.
215-221 Hanover Street, CVS: appeal for zoning relief to install sound insulation barriers around existing and proposed additional HVAC and other cooling units on the roof of a rear, one-story extension of the building as part of a proposed renovation of the store. The ZLC Committee discussed this appeal at its meeting on February 22, 2011. The insulation barriers were requested by the CVS building’s landlord. An owner of an abutting building(s) has raised concern and opposition to CVS’s plan to keep the HVAC units on the one-story roof and has requested that CVS relocate the units where they will have less impact to surrounding residents, such as a location on the top of the 6-story 215-221 Hanover Street building. The ZLC Committee requested and attended, on February 26, a site visit led by CVS’s attorney. CVS has since withdrawn its application from community review pending further study and consideration. The ZLC Committee will track CVS’s progress.
Next ZLC Committee Meeting: Tuesday, March 29, 2011; location TBD
