By Michael Coughlin Jr.
Residents of Orient Heights are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) tonight, Wednesday, Mar. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Madonna Shrine Function Room to discuss the changes to zoning proposed by the agency that many feel would drastically change the fabric of the neighborhood. Earlier this month, the BPDA held a Neighborhood Residential Workshop presenting updates to their proposed zoning changes initially revealed last fall. During that meeting, Kristina Ricco, a Senior Planner at the BPDA, revealed that in areas of Orient Heights, “All lots, regardless of their size, so no matter how wide or how deep, they would yield no more than two unit buildings plus an ADU (additional dwelling unit).” In addition to the unit-density restrictions mentioned by Ricco, there would also be building form restrictions put in place pertaining to things such as a building’s height – Ricco identified that the maximum building height would be two-and-a-half stories in this same area. Other restrictions include a building’s depth, width, and floorplate, along with restrictions for lot coverage and guidelines for rear, side, and front yard setbacks. These updated plans would also eliminate the off-street parking requirement for buildings with three units or fewer. These changes proposed by the BPDA have left several residents in Orient Heights shaking their heads as they feel it is not consistent with the neighborhood today. One resident Joe Arangio is not happy with the proposed building dimension guidelines or the unit-density restrictions. “Currently, the zoning requirements require 10 feet on each side, 15 feet from the sidewalk to the building itself, and then 35 feet in the back. They’re proposing buildings that greatly exceed those limits, and they’re all out of proportion – they’re much, much too big,” said Arangio. In terms of the unit-restriction guidelines, there are concerns that they will disrupt a neighborhood that is predominately single and two-family homes. “The problem that we have with this revision is – no matter how they cut it – if you say you’ll reduce the units to two – in other words – create a two-family zone across the area and you add an ADU to it, you are still ending up with a three-family unit. Two plus one equals three units, and that’s out of whack with the neighborhood,” said Arangio. Moreover, regarding one and two-family homes, there are concerns that these new zoning guidelines could make it easier for developers to come in and tear down single-family homes in favor of building developments with more units. Regarding those concerns, another resident John Casamassima mentioned that although he has been told that developers will not be doing that, three single-family homes on Waldermar Avenue are going before the Zoning Board of Appeal on Apr. 11 that are proposed to be torn down in favor of multiple units. “So for the BPDA to pretend like this is not about tearing down our single-family homes – it absolutely is,” said Casamassima. Residents are also frustrated about the BPDA’s community outreach – specifically with Orient Heights. “They’ve [BPDA] not come to Orient Heights to present the plan for the residential component of the neighborhood, which is the most drastic change. So they’ve not been to our organization at all, and they’ve already gone through two versions,” said Casamassima. However, according to a statement from the BPDA that was received via email from the agency’s Assistant Director of Communications, Brittany Comak, there was a reason why they had not met with the Orient Heights Neighborhood Council (OHNC). The statement reads, “The BPDA was scheduled to join an Orient Heights Neighborhood Council meeting in November, but was forced to reschedule when a current member of the OHNC displayed threatening behavior toward a BPDA employee and their family. We paused public engagements to consult law enforcement and put in place a code of conduct.” “Since restarting public engagements, BPDA staff has hosted a public meeting, a Spanish language workshop and an Advisory Group meeting, and had multiple conversations with individual OHNC members and leadership. We are in the process of incorporating feedback from these engagements and look forward to engaging with the Neighborhood Council on Wednesday as part of our robust community engagement efforts for PLAN: East Boston.” With all that being said, residents of Orient Heights and the BPDA will convene tonight, and there is hope for a huge turnout. Casamassima indicated that volunteers had recently distributed 1,000 flyers advertising the meeting. He also mentioned that he thought attendance from neighbors at this meeting would be “critical” because he felt “this is really the only opportunity that they’ve [residents] had to come out and have their voices heard.” Arangio echoed the importance of coming out to the meeting as well, saying, “This affects everybody, and they need to come, and they need to stand before the Boston Planning and Development Agency, and they need to stand before our elected officials, and they need to make their views known and clearly stated.” Overall, Arangio made it clear whether tonight’s meeting yields change or the BPDA goes forward with its plan as currently constituted – the proposed changes should be taking place throughout the City, not just singling out East Boston. “Changes to residential zoning – the elimination of a single-family zone, etc. – would only apply to owners and residents in East Boston. If the changes to the protection that zoning provides are changed here, those changes must be applied to every neighborhood and district in the City of Boston at exactly the same time as in East Boston.”