By Michael Coughlin Jr.
A project which has origins that date back as far as five years ago at 2 Ford Street and 970 Saratoga Street was opposed by a resounding vote from those in attendance at the Orient Heights Neighborhood Council’s (OHNC) regular meeting on Monday. At Monday’s meeting, Attorney Richard Lynds presented a transit-oriented development project to erect two new climate-resilient buildings on two parcels in Orient Heights Square. One building would be at the site of an auto repair — 2 Ford Street — and the other would be at the site of a parking lot and auto storage area at 970 Saratoga Street. There would be 41 residential units in total between the two buildings, with two ground-level retail spaces. “These are intended to be professionally managed rental units — the entire project — and involves as-of-right uses on lots which are of conforming size in the neighborhood shopping sub-district,” said Lynds. The building at 970 Saratoga is slated to be four stories, just over 50 feet tall, and contains 14 residential units. Further, this building is proposed to have zero parking spaces, which got a collective sarcastic laugh from those who attended the meeting. As for 2 Ford, there are 10 parking spaces proposed for the building that would also be four stories and just over 50 feet tall, containing 27 residential units. Out of the 41 total units, seven will be IDP units. “We can’t charge a rent that’s higher than what the city sets as a maximum rental amount on those units, and it’s locked in from here to 50 years,” said Lynds. Interestingly enough, this is not exactly the first time the OHNC is seeing this project. Initially, these were shown as two separate projects, but now they are being combined. “We are now combining these for purpose of Article 80 review only — nothing’s changed really with respect to the scope and the program of the project; it’s really how it’s being reviewed by the city,” said Lynds. Back in October 2018, the OHNC opposed the 2 Ford Street project, and then in May 2021, the OHNC opposed the 970 Saratoga Street project. With that being said, it seemed like it would be a long shot to get support from residents, which Lynds acknowledged. “We have no expectation that by combining these together that’s going to encourage people to want to vote in favor of it, but we have to go through the process anyway,” said Lynds. If a vote of 43 to 3 in opposition with one person abstaining is any indication, those in attendance on Monday were not fans of the project. When it became time to ask questions about the project, things like how trash would be handled and the location of a potential loading dock or delivery area for companies like Amazon were discussed; however, the big issue among residents was undoubtedly parking. One resident commented that people who might want to use the new retail areas and existing retail spots wouldn’t have anywhere to park. “You have an opportunity — you have retail space — you have over 2,000 square feet of retail — put parking there … give us something; we need something,” said another resident passionately. However, Lynds made it clear the lack of parking in the plans is something that is being pushed by the city. “The city has told us — I wanted parking, I fought for the parking. Boston Transportation and the BPDA (the Boston Planning and Development Agency) — this is them — you can ask them directly,” said Lynds. “The amount of parking on new residential development in the direction the city is going — near public transit — is not the priority,” he added. Quickly the meeting turned into a referendum on the BPDA’s plans for the neighborhood through PLAN: East Boston. “There are many issues with the plan. Richie [Lynds] is correct though, if this plan goes forward, this is what we will see in the corridors for the most part — maybe some things will be a little different, but largely it will look like this,” said an OHNC Board Member. “Speak up now because as far as the BPDA is concerned, they’re done taking comments on the corridors plan.” Although residents opposed this project, another OHNC Board Member — speaking as a resident — made it clear that the opposition cannot end at Monday’s meeting. “If you guys really oppose this — that’s exactly why you have to show up at the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeal) meetings. Just because you vote no — it still could easily pass,” said the Board Member. “If you really oppose it, show up to the ZBA, give your opinion, write a letter — okay— because otherwise, it’s going to be passed anyway, even if you all say no.” Per Lynds, a BPDA board vote on the project is anticipated sometime this summer, followed by a ZBA hearing either this fall or early winter.