Peter McGinnis, presented an application for zoning relief at 44 N. Bennet St. to the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) on June 10, 2011. Property manager Giancarlo Tiberi was also present. The proposal calls for an expansion of the headhouse into a residential unit with a roof deck on the 4-story building, causing a floor area ratio (FAR) violation. The height of the building will increase from 42 to 52 feet.
The building renovation will include converting 3 residential units into 8 residential units. One commercial unit on the ground floor will remain. The renovation will create 4 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units.
Abutters present at the meeting raised concerns regarding the headhouse expansion and asked to see the construction plans for the renovation. There were also complaints about the late timing of neighbor notifications. Other questions were raised regarding trash disposal and the proof of hardship for zoning relief. After considering a request for a deferral, NEWRA members called for a vote due to the probable failure of a deferral request from the Zoning Board of Appeals beyond the scheduled June 21, 2011 hearing date.
NEWRA member vote results: 4 in support, 18 in opposition. NEWRA will write a letter to the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals opposing the application.
North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) takes up this application on Monday, June 13, 2011, 7:00 pm at the Nazzaro Center. The Zoning Board of Appeals hearing is scheduled for June 21, 2011 at City Hall.
