By Michael Coughlin Jr.
During a meeting last week, the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) Board approved a project to bring several units to 9 Geneva Street.
According to Daniel Polanco, a Project Manager with the BPDA, the project involves constructing a five-story residential building with 28 units, five of which are inclusionary development policy (IDP) units. It is also slated to have a maximum of 16 parking spaces and a minimum of 34 interior bike spaces.
“The proposed project will provide community benefits for the East Boston neighborhood in the City of Boston and will result in improving the pedestrian experience along Geneva Street with the installation of new sidewalks, street trees, landscaping, and visitor bike parking,” said Polanco.
After Polanco introduced the project, Ilana Haimes, a Zoning Compliance Planner at the BPDA, outlined its planning context.
Haimes indicated that the project is situated in the East Boston Residential (EBR)-4 zoning subdistrict under new zoning, which the Boston Zoning Commission adopted in April.
As previously noted, Polanco indicated that the building’s height was five stories, and in the EBR-4 subdistrict, the maximum number of stories is four. However, Haimes described the height of the building as four stories above the design flood elevation.
“The proposed project is located in the coastal flood resilience overlay district, which requires new construction to meet resilient design standards,” said Haimes.
“These standards include elevating the building above the base flood elevation for the year 2070 and limiting the uses that can be located below the design flood elevation.”
She later added that the proposed height of four stories above the design flood elevation was consistent with zoning.
It should also be noted that Haimes indicated that the project would need zoning relief for building width, the rear setback, and the maximum floor plate. She also mentioned that relief is recommended for the rear setback because of the lot’s irregular shape.
Shortly after Haimes’ presentation, Attorney Richard Lynds outlined a brief presentation of the project. Lynds indicated that over the last 18 and a half months, the project team has been hard at work developing the project with entities like the BPDA and Gove Street Citizens Association.
“I think people are pretty happy to see this project move forward,” said Lynds, who indicated that the project would involve the demolition of an auto repair facility that has been at the site for more than 60 years, which he described as an eyesore.
As his presentation progressed, Lynds walked through some photos of the site and reiterated that the project team would cooperate with other developers on Geneva Street to improve the roadway.
Moreover, Lynds also indicated that a courtyard consisting of around 5,000 square feet of open space will be included in the rear of the building.
To wrap up the presentation, Donnie Garrity from O’Sullivan Architects walked through other plans, elevations, and features, including a dog park, the building being all-electric, and more, before the project went to a vote.
The Board’s Chair, Priscilla Rojas, was the only member who commented or asked a question about the project. She complimented the dog park and backyard amenity space. Ultimately, the Board unanimously approved the project.