By Michael Coughlin Jr.
At last week’s monthly meeting, the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) opened the polls to members to vote on projects at Maverick and Jeffries Streets.
The first project up for discussion and vote was a proposed café called Café Gloria, located at 287 Maverick Street.
Will Isaza, who initially presented his café concept to the JPNA last month, explained that he currently has a signed lease in hand but is now looking to rezone the property to a restaurant and café space.
At last month’s meeting, Isaza, an East Boston resident, likened his concept for the space to an internet café.
“The concept is as you see here — Café Gloria — will be a coffee and espresso bar from an East Boston born and bred resident,” said Isaza.
Isaza also spoke about some of the partners for the project. The proposed café would work with Broadsheet Coffee Roasters out of Somerville. “We’re importing our own coffee bean in particular and roasting in Somerville,” he said.
The café would also partner with Mavam Espresso, based out of Seattle, for its espresso and equipment.
Regarding the food and beverage options at the café, Isaza displayed a mock menu that includes specialty and classic coffee drinks, tea, rice bowls, and “cold take-home food.”
There was only one question concerning the project, which related to the financial viability of the project due to capacity restrictions on the property that Isaza explained at last month’s meeting.
“The majority of the business will have to be takeout just because of the capacity,” said Isaza.
In the end, members of the JPNA supported the project by a vote of 26 to 1.
The next project discussed concerned Unit One at 49 Jeffries Street and was presented to the JPNA by Attorney Richard Lynds. This project was initially presented at the JPNA’s Planning and Zoning meeting last month.
As part of this project, the living space in unit one at the property would be extended and include the enclosure of a deck. It should be noted that the project does not include a proposed change in occupancy.
Lynds explained that currently, the unit is a one-bedroom with living space in the back with an outside deck attached and described the project as straightforward.
“We’re basically closing in a portion of that deck, rebuilding a portion of the deck, and essentially extending the living area out to where that deck is,” said Lynds.
He also indicated that the project would not really change anything regarding the building’s footprint and called the zoning violations that need relief “technical.”
Lynds also said that the proponent is looking to “increase the space here to allow for a little bit more of a cozier sized unit.”
“We feel that the impact is minimal based upon the current conditions of the building as it stands now,” he added.
During the discussion time for the project, Andrew Pike, the JPNA’s Treasurer, read out a comment opposing the proposal.
Pike, in part, read, “This addition will change the landscape of the street. Also, this will set a precedent for other homeowners on the street.”
However, Lynds responded and disagreed with the resident’s comment, saying, “This is such a modest addition to the building. I don’t feel that this is actually going to change much by way of the impact on surrounding properties, including the abutters.”
“The structure, for all intents and purposes, is already there. We’re essentially enclosing that lower level only. So whether or not that sets precedent on the rest of the street, that’s not really accurate,” he added.
Following Lynds’ response, another comment from the chat claimed that the property was being extended with the deck, but Lynds refuted that, explaining that the deck is already there.
“We’re enclosing the area where the deck currently is and replacing the balance of the deck with a smaller deck. I mean, it’s essentially all within the footprint of what’s already there today,” said Lynds.
Moreover, Lynds mentioned that a rebuilt staircase to the second floor is the only area that comes back further than what exists currently.
As for the vote, JPNA members supported the proposal by a vote of 18 to 6, with two voters abstaining. The JPNA is slated to meet again on December 11th for its Winter Potluck.