By Michael Coughlin Jr.
During the Gove Street Neighborhood Association’s (GSNA) October meeting, plans for a project at 137 Cottage Street were shared with those in attendance.
The proposal, described by Attorney Richard Lynds as “relatively simple,” is to renovate the existing three-family building at the site. The building’s occupancy is slated to increase from three units to four, and there are plans for a vertical addition.
There are also plans to add a roof deck “above the fourth level,” and the project is intended to be condo units. Lynds also explained that they have already been approved to extend living space into the basement.
“That lowest unit, unit one, will have space in both the basement level as well as the first level,” Lynds said.
Regarding how this project aligns with zoning, it is located in the East Boston Residential (EBR)-4 subdistrict and requires variances for the rear-yard setback and parking.
The setback violation concerns the “reorientation” of stairs at the property. “Because those stairs live within the rear setback that would be a violation under the zoning code even though the building itself is well within the setback,” Lynds said.
The project was also cited for its existing lot coverage and permeable space; however, Lynds indicated that since they are existing conditions, they would not necessitate relief and that would be addressed when the proposal goes before the Zoning Board of Appeal.
As the presentation continued, Lynds outlined the site plans and showed renderings depicting the vertical addition, which is set back from the front and preserves the existing cornice line, and reviewed the elevations.
Following the presentation, the floor was opened to questions from attendees.
GSNA Board Member Neel Batra had asked if the other units in the building were condos.
Nick DiLibero, the proponent, said, “We’re still in the process of getting everything completed,” adding that no one currently lives there and that, when the project is completed, the plan is for all the units to be condos.
Several comments were also made about the addition’s design. Another GSNA Board Member, Jane O’Reilly, suggested that the design fit the area’s context.
Batra agreed, saying, “It’s a beautiful street with these old buildings, so I would ask the developer be mindful as best you can about maintaining that with this.”
“To use Jane’s word, we don’t want like a gremlin or something that’s just like odd and out of place,” he added.
Another attendee echoed these comments, noting that more detail could be added to the design or that it should not be visible from the street.
In response to these comments, Lynds indicated that the renderings are not a final design, he would bring comments back to the architect, and that ultimately, the Planning Department has the final word on it.
He added, “I guess the preference among architects is to not try to imitate the old — if anything to do something that’s distinct and different than what you have because imitating the historic features…is somewhat of a disservice because it wasn’t built at the same time, it’s not part of the same type of architecture, we’re not going to mirror this building and match it perfectly.”
After the design discussion, Batra asked for clarification regarding the aforementioned existing conditions that were cited as zoning violations: Lot coverage and permeable space.
In response, Lynds said, “As an existing condition already they cited it, but they cited it for reasons because they probably did the math and looked at it…but that really only should be cited if I was proposing a new building on the site.”
“It shouldn’t be cited if it’s an existing condition,” he added.
The GSNA also asked if an architect could come to the next presentation. Since this was the project’s first presentation to the GSNA, no vote was held.
The association’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 24. For more information about the GSNA and to view a recording of this meeting, visit https://www.govestreet.org/.
The group is also looking for board members. If interested, email [email protected].