Boston Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing – August 11, 2026

The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal held a virtual hearing on August 11, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM with a six-member board. The hearing covered 20+ cases, including approvals of consent calendar items, administrative deferrals, and substantive decisions on conditional use permits, variances, and proviso removals. Key votes included denials of a proviso removal (later reversed) and a three-unit townhouse proposal, along with approvals of several residential additions, subdivisions, and a rental car agency.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Hearing Minutes (July 28, 2026): Approved 6-0.
• Extensions (6 cases): Approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 415–415A Hanover Street (outdoor seating): The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services deferred; Councilor Coletta’s office supported. No public opposition.
• 35 Braddock Park (renovation): Community meeting supportive; a 59-year resident spoke in favor, noting existing similar structures. Councillor Flynn’s office supported.
• 10 Northampton Street (rental car agency): Planning Department recommended approval; community process found no feedback. No public testimony.
• 1013 Harrison Avenue (FC Tech educational use): Community meeting without opposition; Planning Department supported. No public testimony.
• 37 & 39 Kimball Street (curb cut/parking): Mayor’s Office reported community support for removing cars from streets; Planning Department recommended denial citing excessive paving. Applicant argued historical context.
• 472 Ashmont Street (garage/third unit): Lightly attended community meeting; no opposition. Councillor Fitzgerald’s office supported.
• 86 Brown Avenue (four units): Community meeting reflected both support and opposition; letters received with concerns about density, parking, and precedent. Abutters spoke against the project’s size.
• 118 Lexington Street (dormer/renovation): Eagle Hill Civic Association voted 10–3 in favor; no public testimony.
• 27–29 Ballard Street (attic/basement conversion): Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council approved; one letter of opposition (sunlight loss) and one in support.
• 360 Princeton Street (rear deck): Eagle Hill Civic Association voted 8–0 in support; no public testimony.
• 7–9 Marine Court (fourth unit): Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association voted 8–1 in favor; Planning Department had concerns but applicant noted neighborhood context. No public testimony.
• 1 Washington Place (three townhouses): Community meeting mixed; abutters’ attorney opposed citing demolition, density, privacy, and access issues; applicant’s attorney rebutted Article 85 concerns. Seven support letters filed.
• 176 L Street (fourth story): City Point Neighborhood Association opposed; abutters raised precedent and architectural character concerns. Public testimony opposed. Councillor Flynn’s office supported.
• 43–45 Westwood Circuit (subdivision/new homes): West Roxbury Neighborhood Council supported; no public testimony.
• 178–180 Weld Street (garage replacement): Community meeting had concerns resolved; West Roxbury Neighborhood Council supported. No public testimony.

Discussion Items

• 18 Dell Avenue (proviso removal for permeable pavers): Applicant argued stormwater system already approved by BWSC. Board debated timing and whether full picture was presented. Vote on approval failed 4–2; a subsequent motion to deny passed 6–0.
• 37 & 39 Kimball Street (curb cut widening): Planning Department recommended straight denial. Applicant cited existing cramped conditions and safety. Board agreed with Planning; motion to deny passed 5–1 (Stembridge voted no).
• 86 Brown Avenue (two-to-four-unit conversion): Board discussed lot size, density, and precedent. Motion to approve passed 5–1 (Langham voted no).
• 1 Washington Place (three townhouses): Board debated lot frontage, open space, and abutter opposition. Initial motion to approve (with design review proviso) failed 4–2 (Beta Barraza and Turner voted no). A subsequent motion to deny without prejudice passed 5–1 (Stembridge voted no).
• 176 L Street (fourth-story addition): Board considered height, setback, and lack of front decks. A motion to approve with provisos (no new decks, 10-ft setback, design review) passed 6–0.

Key Outcomes

• 18 Dell Avenue: Proviso removal denied (6–0) after initial approval motion failed.
• 415–415A Hanover Street: Seasonal outdoor seating approved (6–0).
• 35 Braddock Park: Renovation and carport approved (6–0).
• 10 Northampton Street: Conditional use permit for Enterprise Rent A Car approved (6–0).
• 1013 Harrison Avenue: Conditional use permit for FC Tech educational uses approved (6–0).
• 37 & 39 Kimball Street: Curb cut request denied (5–1).
• 472 Ashmont Street: Garage and conversion to three units approved (6–0).
• 86 Brown Avenue: Four-family use approved (5–1).
• 118 Lexington Street: Dormer/renovation approved (6–0).
• 34 Vincent Street: Renovation approved (6–0).
• 27–29 Ballard Street: FAR/side yard variances approved (6–0).
• 360 Princeton Street: Rear deck variance approved (6–0) with proviso for BPD design review.
• 7–9 Marine Court: Fourth unit approved (6–0) with proviso for BPD design review on roof access.
• 1 Washington Place: Three townhouses denied without prejudice (5–1) to allow revised proposal.
• 176 L Street: Fourth-story addition approved (6–0) with provisos: no new decks, front setback per BPD, design review.
• 43–45 Westwood Circuit: Subdivision and two new homes approved (6–0).
• 178–180 Weld Street: Garage reconstruction approved (6–0) with proviso for BPD design review on driveway maneuverability.
• Deferrals granted (8 cases): 86 Walworth St., 425 E 3rd St., 121 River St., 722 E 2nd St., 57 Mount St., 1 & 2 Hopkins Pl., 105 Pleasant View St. – all deferred to September 22, 2026.
• Administrative deferral (2 cases): 1 & 2 Hopkins Pl. deferred to September 22, 2026, to address Article 79 (inclusionary zoning) concerns.