Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation, chaired by Councilor Sharon Durkin (District 8), convened on October 16, 2026, at 10:02 AM to consider the confirmation of ten appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA). The agenda covered Dockets 1515 through 1524, consisting of seven reappointments and three new appointments. Councillors Aaron Murphy and Ed Flynn were present for the hearing.
No members of the public signed up to testify. Chair Durkin confirmed this and closed the hearing without a public comment period.
Panel 1: Reappointments (Dockets 1515–1521) Reappointees introduced themselves and their qualifications. The panel included Giovanny Valencia (architect and community organizer), Katie Whewell (Deputy Director of Planning in Newton), Alan E. Langham (retired union laborer), Sherry Dong (community health professional and former BRA official), Shamaiah Turner (union sheet metal worker, absent due to a death in the family), Jeanne Pinado (longest-serving member and former CEO of Madison Park CDC), and David Collins (small-scale developer).
During questions, Chair Durkin expressed her personal position that the ZBA should generally not oppose projects that have already received BPDA board approval, arguing that doing so moves the goalposts and undermines the rigorous public planning process. Alan Langham responded that if a project does not align with what a neighborhood needs, he would feel compelled to vote against it regardless of prior approvals. Giovanni Valencia noted that the ZBA hearing provides a crucial final opportunity for community input alongside the BPDA review. Councillor Murphy discussed the burden on residents navigating small-scale projects like ADUs versus large developments and the shifting role of the Office of Neighborhood Services. Councillor Flynn emphasized language and communication access; members noted the challenges and importance of ensuring non-English speakers can participate. Valencia shared his personal experience immigrating without English and urged the city to better empower tenants and non-native speakers to engage.
Panel 2: New Appointments (Dockets 1522–1524) New appointees introduced themselves: Carla Monteiro (social worker and lifelong Dorchester resident), Patrick Walsh (Business Manager of Laborers Local 223, recommended by the Building Trades Employers Association), and William Masterson (founder of the urban forestry nonprofit Tree Eastie).
Chair Durkin asked about their zoning philosophy in light of the city's housing affordability and climate resilience goals. Monteiro emphasized her lived experience in an underserved community with high asthma rates and poor air quality. Masterson advocated for integrating tree planting into development projects as a cost-effective measure for health and climate. Walsh noted the real-world impacts of flooding and sea-level rise in his neighborhood. Councillor Flynn asked how they would factor in health outcomes such as high asthma rates. All three emphasized a case-by-case, fact-based approach that balances rigorous listening to all stakeholders with the best interests of the city.
For the record, my name is Sharon Durkin, District 8 City Councilor, and I'm the chair of the Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation. Today is October 16th, and the exact time is 1002 a.m. This hearing is being recorded. It is also being live streamed at Boston.gov backslash city dash council dash TV and broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, FIOS Channel 964. Written comments may be sent to the committee email at CCC.plan DEV at Boston.gov and will be made part of the record and available to all counselors. Public testimony will be taken at the end of this hearing. Individuals will be called on in the order in which they've signed up, and they have two minutes to testify. If you are interested in testifying in person, please add your name to the signup sheet near the entrance of the chamber. If you are looking to testify virtually, please email our central staff liaison, ShanePack at Shane S H A N E dot PAC at Boston.gov for the link, and your name will be added to the list. Today's hearing, and excuse me, I'm gonna be the clerk for a second. I have to read all of these uh appointments. Today's hearing is on Docket 1515, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Giovanni Valencia as a member of the zoning board of appeal for a term expiring May 1, 2027. Docket 1516, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Katie Wewell as a member of the zoning board of appeals for a term expiring May 1, 2027. Docket 1517, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Alan E. Langham as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring May 1, 2028. Docket 1518. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Sherry Dong as a member of the zoning board of appeal for a term expiring May 1, 2029. Docket 1519. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Shemiah Turner as a member of the zoning board of appeal for a term expiring May 1, 2029. Docket 1520. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Jean Pennato as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeal for a term expiring May 1, 2027. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of David Collins as an alternate member of the zoning board of appeals for a term expiring May 1, 2028. Docket 1522. Message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Carla Montiero as an alternate member of the zoning board of appeals for a term expiring May 1, 2028. Docket 1523. Message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Patrick Walsh as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring November 1, 2028. Docket 1524. Message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of William Masterson as an alternate member of the zoning board of appeals for a term expiring May 1, 2029. These matters were sponsored by Michelle Wu and referred to the committee on August 5th, 2026. It's a privilege to oversee these nominations uh to some of the most important boards and commissions. The zoning board of appeal is one of the most consequential appointed bodies in Boston. It plays a critical role in shaping the future of our city and ensuring we can grow while protecting our past. The Boston zoning code is significantly longer and more complex than other cities of similar size. According to zoning expert Sarah Bronin, it is bloated, outdated, inconsistent, and inequitable. And the folks that we have before us today are the folks that have to wade through those tough decisions case by case. As a result of the zoning board of appeals carries significant responsibility in determining when to grant relief through these requirements, um, and ensuring that these decisions serve the best interest of Boston residents. Boston, like cities across the country, faces urgent challenges that require us to build more housing and address our affordability crisis, making our buildings more sustainable and resilient for climate change and protecting residents from displacement. We are here this morning to consider nominations of 10 highly qualified individuals with expertise across planning, development, architecture, construction, and historic preservation, who have demonstrated commitment and contributions to our city, their prior civic engagements, including through uh serving on the what they're being reappointed for. Thank you to all of you for your continued interest in serving our city and to those being reappointed. Thank you for your continued service and contributions. It is an honor to serve in this capacity, and I look forward to hearing more about what draws you into this work and what infirms your philosophy and approach. Um, with that, I'd like to give each nominee an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their background as we move into questions from counselors. We are going to start with our reappointees and then um swap panels to hear from new appointees. Um before we do that, I wanted to give um Councillor Aaron Murphy a chance for an opening statement. Thank you. Um thank you, everyone, for being here on this rainy Friday morning. I appreciate you all being here, and thank you to the chair for holding this. Like she said, we get appointments to so many different boards and commissions across the city, and it's important that we give you the respect, I think also calling in so that you can share with us why the mayor and you know the administration thought that you would be well suited for these positions.