By Michael Coughlin Jr.
During its monthly meeting last week, the Gove Street Citizens Association (GSCA) voted to support a proposal at 240 Maverick Street, which includes a change of occupancy and addition.
The proposal, which had already gone through one GSCA meeting and abutters meeting, has been “received pretty well,” according to Attorney Richard Lynds, who presented it last week.
As part of the project, there are plans to change the occupancy of the existing three-family home to a four-family home. Additionally, the project includes a vertical addition along with a roof deck.
“It will also involve a complete upgrade to the life safety which includes the sprinkler and the fire alarm, which do not exist today,” said Lynds. The project would also maintain the building as rentals.
Later in his presentation, Lynds reviewed the anticipated zoning relief associated with the project. Under current zoning, the proposal would require variances for use, lot size, floor area ratio, height, open space, and parking.
However, under new zoning, which was developed through the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s (BPDA) neighborhood planning initiative PLAN: East Boston, the project potentially would only require relief for parking.
“We think a variance may be necessary for the parking spot. However, we’re waiting to see the final draft of the zoning because there is an exemption for one to three units; we want to see if it applies if we’re adding an additional unit as well,” said Lynds.
Further, Monte French of Monte French Design Studio, an architect for the project, went through the design of the building and the materials used.
French explained that two bays and outside decks have been added to the building’s original massing, the original entrance location on the ground floor has been moved, and the addition on top is more modern with a “warm wood tone material.”
He also explained why the top addition deviates from the rest of the design, which Lynds mentioned was a question in other meetings.
“We find that giving a bit of a more modern approach to the addition because it is different and not trying to again — these buildings are usually — we look at them as a three-story building but trying to give something that has a new fresh look at the top is something that we wanted to do,” said French.
“It’s a more marketable thing for a wider array of the demographics and people that are looking for it,” he added.
Later, Lynds went through the floor plans and elevations for the project and opened the floor to questions and comments.
There were a few comments regarding the design of the building. One attendee said, “Don’t love the stark difference between the top and the rest. Design is good, but it feels like the top is plopped on, and it doesn’t flow down smoothly to the rest.”
Another attendee said, “I just think that the color coordination — I just don’t think it matches. I just think the top should be — I mean, I guess that’s like a wood color — I think it should be like a grayish color, like a gray, white color — It just doesn’t go.”
In response, Lynds, in part, said that things like color and materials are subject to change based on BPDA design review.
“If there’s concern over color or material, that can certainly be noted in the comments to the Board of Appeal and the BPDA,” said Lynds.
Ultimately, those who participated in the GSCA’s vote on the project supported it by a count of 8-3. However, it should be noted that in the GSCA’s letter of support sent to the Zoning Board of Appeal, residents who supported and opposed the project thought changes should be made to the design and color of the fourth floor. The next GSCA meeting is scheduled for March 25.