By Michael Coughlin Jr.
Those in attendance at the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association’s (JPNA) monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, heard a presentation about a project at 270 Sumner Street, and those who were eligible to vote subsequently supported it later in the week.
Specifically, the project at 270 Sumner Street proposes to rehabilitate the entire existing three-unit building. In addition to the rehabilitation, the project also calls for the creation of a rear addition with the inclusion of a roof deck and one parking spot.
In the past, there was a proposal at this site to change the occupancy of the building to four units with a vertical addition. However, that endeavor was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) but also allowed the proponent to come back and resubmit a different proposal.
That being said, Attorney Richard Lynds said, “We are not changing the occupancy of this building at this time; it will remain as three units.”
Lynds also explained that because of the scope of the renovations, a complete upgrade to life safety would be made and that the development is intended for home ownership when completed.
In terms of parking, the spot will be accessed from Emmet Place at the back of the building. “So we actually would be improving the condition and providing parking even though – not required,” said Lynds.
As for the roof deck, Lynds said, “That roof deck would be exclusive only to unit three, so it’s not a common roof deck; it would be accessed from within the unit for unit three.”
Other renovations at the building include new decks and windows in the rear as well as a new entry door and vestibule and new windows in the front.
Over the last month or so, the project has gone through the community process with both a JPNA Planning and Zoning meeting and abutters meeting on Wednesday, Apr. 19.
Seemingly stemming from those meetings, Lynds addressed a concern from residents regarding the delivery of materials due to the site abutting Emmet Place.
“I did have a chance to speak to my client after the last meeting, and he has made the commitment that he will work to have most – if not all – the materials delivered from Sumner Street rather than Emmet Place,” said Lynds.
“I do want to point out that there may be an occasion to incorporate or use Emmet Place for some deliveries, but the bulk – probably 80 to 90 percent of materials can be delivered through Sumner Street.”
Other than the delivery of materials, there did not seem to be any other concerns about the project, as there were no questions or comments broached during last Monday’s meeting, and as aforementioned, voters supported the project in a tally of 13-3.
Regarding next steps, the plan is to go before the ZBA sometime later this spring. Lynds indicated that they would anticipate a permit issuance “over the fall,” and potential construction would take around eight to 10 months.