Plans for a proposed project at 210 Marginal Street were presented at the latest Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) Planning and Zoning meeting last week.
The proposal, as explained by Attorney Richard Lynds, is to preserve the existing three-unit building “with [a] proposed renovation,” per the presentation slideshow that wraps around the existing structure, and to change the occupancy to six units. There are also plans to upgrade life safety.
“This building has some nice historic characteristics, certainly going back to the days of when the wharves were active and the train lines were active. This building is plenty old and has a lot of really nice character that we’re going to preserve and help upgrade,” Lynds said.
“But, we’re also going to do something that’s a little more contemporary as part of the addition,” he added.
The site is located in the East Boston Residential (EBR)-3 zoning subdistrict, and complies with regulations except for parking.
Initially, Lynds had mentioned that the plan was for one parking space, meaning the project would have needed a variance of two spaces to get to the three-parking space requirement.
“People say, ‘Well, it’s six units, why don’t you have six parking spaces?’ The zoning code says that if you have an existing condition that doesn’t have any parking, then you are required, only, to add parking for the number of units you’re proposing,” Lynds said.
However, later in the presentation, Sharon Gentges, the project architect, noted that a parking spot could not be put in the garage space because the city has a “transformer box and large sewer structure” in front of it, meaning the parking variance goes from two spaces to three.
Other aspects of the project to note are that there are plans for a roof deck and that the project is not going “any higher” than the existing three-story building, Lynds said.
Following the presentation, attendees were invited to comment and ask questions. Tyler Lane, a JPNA Board Member, wondered if a height variance would be required for the roof deck.
Lynds explained that the maximum height allowed in the EBR-3 subdistrict is 35 feet and that “the rooftop restrictions may get triggered for a conditional use permit.”
“We may get cited for a conditional use permit, but it would be within the height limit because roof decks are not considered part of the height of the building,” Lynds added.
Another resident expressed their excitement for the project and complimented the design, but wondered about the rationale of putting six units in the space, which they described as “tight.”
Lynds explained that it tied into the financial feasibility of the project.
A question regarding whether the project would contain rental units or condos was raised, but Lynds indicated that it has not been determined as of yet.
As for the next step in this process, the project will be presented before the JPNA at its larger monthly meeting and will be up for a vote.
For more information about the JPNA and to view a recording of this meeting when it becomes available, visit https://jeffriespoint.org/.