By Michael Coughlin Jr.
At Monday’s Harbor View Neighborhood Association (HVNA) meeting, those in attendance voted to support a project that would bring new units to 60-62 Byron Street.
The proposal, as explained by Attorney Richard Lynds, is to demolish the existing multi-family building on the site and build a new three-story, six-unit building that includes six parking spaces.
“That (the parking spaces) is something that is not required — we have an alternative proposal where we would construct essentially two three-family dwellings,” Lynds said. “Our option is to do one single building as opposed to two separate buildings and then have the parking in the rear.”
Lynds expanded on this, noting that the alternative, which could be done by right, would not require any off-street parking under the city’s zoning regulations.
“By us opting to do one single six-unit dwelling, you still get the six units of housing, but you’re also getting the six parking spaces to go along with it,” he said.
Moreover, the proposal, which was initially presented to the HVNA this summer, requires a variance for the total lot width. Since the site is in the East Boston Residential (EBR)-3 zoning subdistrict, the lot width must be at least 55 feet for six units on the lot.
This proposal was presented at an abutters meeting last month. HVNA Board Member Skip Marcella, who attended the meeting, said that it appeared the abutters in attendance were supportive of the project.
Following the brief presentation, the floor was opened to questions and comments from attendees.
One attendee asked whether each unit had a parking spot, and Lynds said, “Each unit is assigned one parking spot.”
The conversation about parking continued, and Lynds explained that, for example, if the units were condominiums, the unit price factors in the parking spot.
“They don’t have an option to say (they) don’t want a parking spot, so therefore (they) pay less,” Lynds said.
Though Lynds said that in this example, if someone purchased the condo and did not have a car, they could rent out their spot to someone else in the building.
If these units were rentals, Lynds indicated that the situation would be similar, but tenants would be less likely to be able to rent out their spot to other members of the building.
As the conversation continued, parking, the building’s total square footage, the abutters meeting, and more were covered before the project went to a vote.
Ultimately, those in attendance voted to support the project by a 10-7 margin.
For more information about the HVNA and to view a recording of this meeting, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/harborviewna/. The next HVNA meeting is scheduled for Feb. 2.