Boston Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing - June 3, 2026

The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal conducted a virtual hearing on June 3, 2026, hearing a range of zoning relief requests including residential infill, a hotel, senior housing, and a wireless facility. The board approved all items, including several deferrals and a court-remanded case. Key decisions included unanimous approvals for a 96-room hotel at 393 Cambridge Street and a 41-unit affordable senior housing project in Jamaica Plain.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May 14 and May 19, 2026 were approved unanimously.
• Extensions: Five extension cases were granted without opposition: 13 Alexander Street, 110-118 Terrace Street (two cases), 2-10 Hitchborne Street, and 252-252A Shaman Avenue.
• Deferrals:
  • Case BOA 183-9863 (841-847 Morton Street): Deferred to a later date due to incorrect advertising and a required NPC notice of project change.
  • Case BOA 183-7592 (3 Morse Street): Deferred to July 28, 2026 to allow a full five-member board.
  • Case BOA 181-4618 (163-165 Hillside Street): Deferred to June 16, 2026 for additional plan review.
  • Case BOA 183-3514 (176 L Street): Deferred to June 16, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. (noted without separate motion).

Discussion Items

• 1 Westminster Terrace (BOA 182-46-53): Applicant sought to finish an existing basement into a playroom, guest room, bathroom, and hobby space. No footprint expansion. The Brighton Alston Improvement Association and a neighbor expressed support. Approved unanimously.
• 5-7 Aldi Street (BOA 182-55-52): Conversion of a two-family to three-family house with two additional parking spaces. The Allston Civic Association supported, asking for no building code relief and no undergraduate tenants. Approved unanimously.
• 393 Cambridge Street (BOA 183-8237): Proposal for a 7-story, 96-room hotel with an FAR of 5.68 (max 1.0) and height of 93 feet (max 35 feet), with no rear yard setback. The site is currently an auto parts store. The BPDA board had previously approved the project. Public testimony included the Office of Neighborhood Services deferring, Allston Civic Association deferring with concerns about parking and traffic, and the Carpenter's Union supporting. The applicant argued the project is transit-oriented and provides streetscape improvements. Board members questioned parking costs and timeline; the developer estimated $350,000 per underground space. Approved unanimously.
• 57-59 Riversdale Street (BOA 176-0086): Addition of three two-bedroom units in the rear of an existing three-unit building, plus six parking spaces. The Allston Civic Association supported with conditions. Approved unanimously.
• 80 Gardner Street (BOA 183-9746): Construction of a 6-story infill building with 36 units (16 two-bedroom, 16 three-bedroom, 3 one-bedroom, 1 studio), including 6 income-restricted units. The BPDA board approved in October 2025. Public testimony: ONS deferred, Allston Civic Association supported, Planning Department supported. Approved unanimously.
• 11 Beaufort Road and 434 Jamaica Way (Companion cases BOA 182-69-29 and 182-69-39): Rogerson Communities proposed a 6-story building with 41 affordable senior housing units, a memory care facility, and a social day program. The project was scaled down from 71 units after community feedback. Public testimony: ONS deferred, Jamaica Pond Association non-opposition, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council support, a neighbor opposed citing height and parking. The board questioned parking costs ($350,000 per space for underground staff parking). Approved unanimously.
• 69 Rent Street (BOA 181-0476): Finishing an existing basement for a family room, bathroom, and closet. Public testimony: ONS deferred, Councilor Fitzgerald's office supported. Approved unanimously.
• 102 Gale Street (BOA 182-982): New 3-story, 3-family residential building on a vacant lot. Relief needed for lot area, width, FAR, side yard, and parking. One unit will be affordable. Public testimony: ONS noted community process, Councilor Wells' office expressed concern about no homeownership units. The applicant clarified units are for sale. Approved unanimously.
• 24 Nyland Street (BOA 181-19-10): Second floor and rear addition to a single-family home. Neighbor raised privacy concerns; applicant noted no windows on the extension side. Approved unanimously.
• 33 Hawthorne Street (BOA 184-2748): Conversion of a two-family to three-family by adding a basement unit and attic dormer, plus three parking spaces. Public testimony: ONS reported neighbor concerns about parking, density, and tenant impact. Applicant responded that existing tenant would remain and parking was added. Approved unanimously.
• 36-44 Broad Street (BOA 1813-09): Verizon Wireless sought to install rooftop antennas enclosed in canisters, with relief from setback and height limits. Public testimony: ONS deferred (one opposition letter), Wharf District Neighborhood Association supported. Approved unanimously.
• 22 Hanover Street (BOA 135-94-3): Court remand hearing. The Suffolk Superior Court directed the board to review rooftop structures previously approved. The abutter opposed due to loss of light and air. The board affirmed its prior decision, noting the roof deck and head house are typical for the area. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All zoning relief requests were approved, including deferrals and the court-remanded case.
• Adoption of Proposed Rules and Regulations: The board unanimously adopted new rules and regulations for the board, with a comment to fill remaining vacant positions.
• Next Steps: Deferred cases will be rescheduled; approved projects must comply with provisos, including BPDA design review where applicable.