On Monday night the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) voted down a development proposal at 238 Webster St. by a vote of 37-10.
Despite scaling back the project from 15 units to 9 units, JPNA members still voiced concern over density.
Attorney for the project Matt Eckel explained that after listening to the community and abutters through a series of meetings, the developer decided to scale back the original proposal first from 15 units with eight parking spaces to 14 units with 13 parking spaces.
“After a lengthy community process, we heard concerns over the design and facade, height, parking and the multi door garage bay,” said Eckel.
Eckel said his client made several concessions after the series of meetings and settled on 9 units with eight parking spaces.
“We went for a more traditional design with bays and a mansard roof,” said Eckel. We eliminated one of the garage doors so now there is only one and we set back the fourth floor unit.”
While the project was reduced in size and scope and went from a modern to more traditional design JPNA members were still not convinced.
With variances needed for additional lot area, floor area ratio, height, open space, parking and front and rear yard members thought the developer was asking for too much.
“As soon as we agree to this something else is going to come along and ask for the same thing or something even bigger,” one abutter said, even though Boston Zoning decisions do not set a precedence in any given neighborhood. “This will do serious damage to the neighborhood.”
Others asked the developer to go back to the drawing board and come up something more in line with what is as of right for the lot, like a six family.