Community Notes, Events, Updates & Public Comment Request February 23-March 1, 2026
Notes
Harvard Ed Portal's Weekly Newsletter
Events
James H. Roberts Playground Community Meeting 2 (Flyer Attached)
Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing
Inspectional Services Department
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The February 24, 2026, hearing will be held virtually via video teleconference and telephone via the Zoom webinar event platform.
Interested persons can participate in the hearing REMOTELY by going to
https://bit.ly/2026ZBAHearings.
You may also participate by phone by calling into the Zoom Webinar at
301-715-8592 and entering the Webinar ID: 160 422 3767 followed by # when prompted.
If you wish to offer testimony on an appeal, please click
https://bit.ly/Feb242026ZBAComments sign
up. Please provide your name, address, the address and/or BOA number of the appeal on which you wish to speak, and if you wish to speak in support of or opposition to the project.
If you wish to offer comment within the meeting platform, please use the “Raise Hand” function that should appear on the bottom of your screen, if connected by computer or device, or dial *9, if connected by phone. On a computer or device, you will receive
a request to unmute yourself from the event host. You must select yes before you can speak. On a phone, you will hear a prompt that the event host is asking you to unmute yourself. You must press *6 to unmute yourself before you can speak. Commenters will
be asked to state their name, address and comment. Comments will be limited as time requires.
Extensions: 9:30 am
Case: BOA- 1545997 Address: 472-474 Western Avenue Ward 22 Applicant: George Morancy, Esq
Case: BOA- 1279801 Address: 120 Braintree Street Ward 22 Applicant: Nicholas J. Zozula, Esq
Board Final Arbiter: 9:30 am
Case: BOA- 1485817 Address: 521 Cambridge Street Ward 21 Applicant: Johanna Schneider
Hearings: 9:30 am
Case: BOA-1803891 Address: 344-350 Washington Street Ward 22 Applicant: Efthymios Athanasiadis ARTICLE 80
Article(s): Article 51 Section 17 Insufficient rear yard setback Article 51 Section 17 Height excessive Article 51 Section 17 Excessive f,a.r.Art.51 Sec.56 Off St Parking Design Proposed lift parking (Impeded access and maneuvering areas) Article 51, Section
56 Off Street Parking Insufficient Article 51, Section 56 Off Street Loading Insufficient Article 51, Section53 Screening & Buffering Req
Purpose: Submission for Zoning Refusal Letter, to erect new mixed-use building. We propose 19 residential units and 1 commercial/Core Shell (i.e. Retail, Restaurant w/takeout, or takeout restaurant use) on the first floor.
Harvard ERC District and Greenway Plan Advisory Group Meeting #4
Boston Planning Department
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The
Harvard
Enterprise Research Campus (“ERC”) and Greenway Plan is situated in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood and will establish a community vision and priorities for the Harvard-owned site, centered on equitable growth, transportation needs, sustainability
and resilience, neighborhood culture, and an accessible and active open space and public realm.
The Advisory Group (AG) will play a critical role in advising on the planning process and reviewing the recommendations which emerge from the planning process. The Advisory Group is made up of residents, Harvard University representatives, leaders of neighborhood
organizations, and content area experts. Content area experts of this Advisory Group specialize in topics such as open space, active transportation, public realm, and housing.
At this time, the Planning Department is continuing to host public meetings in a virtual setting for the health, safety, and accessibility of Boston residents. For more information and updates, visit
bostonplans.org.
How to Participate
Virtual Meeting ID: 161 365 3007
Allston-Brighton Community Plan Office Hours
Boston Planning Department
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Do you have questions you didn't get answered at the
Allston-Brighton
Community Plan (ABCP) Winter Public meeting? Join the team for office hours to review the presentation, ask follow up questions, or share nuance around zoning challenges you have experienced in Allston-Brighton.
Allston Abbey
5 St. Luke’s Road, Allston
Design Review Office Hours
Boston Planning Department
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
If you own a home or business and want to make improvements to your property, you are invited to attend Design Review Office Hours with the Planning Department’s Urban Design staff. Bring your questions and/or plans to an in-person event, or join a virtual
session. Questions staff can address include:
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What is design review and how will it fit into my project timeline?
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Will design review be required for my project?
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What materials may be needed for that review?
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Will I need to make changes to my project?
Parks Fitness: Tai Chi with Joe
Boston Parks and Recreation
Wednesday February 25, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Repeats weekly on Wednesday, starting from January 7, 2026, until April 1, 2026
Participate in FREE fitness classes offered by one of our certified instructors. Our classes are a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, is used as a slow-moving exercise to achieve relaxation and stress reduction. Tai Chi offers benefits for the body, mind and spirit."
Click the link below to sign up for the class on Eventbrite. This will allow you to add it to your calendar and receive updates if there are changes or cancellations due to the weather.
Veronica Smith Senior Community Center
20 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton
Ringer Park Community Briefing (Flyer Attached)
Boston Conservation Commission Public Hearing
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Members of the public may share public comments during the hearing. The Conservation Commission will also accept written testimony for agenda items via email at
c...@boston.gov prior to the hearing. Written testimony should be submitted
by Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.
Request for a Determination of Applicability from Alexis Kirsch for the removal of a hazardous Norway Maple and stump grinding at 68 Kenrick Street, Brighton, MA.
Planning Academy Info Session
Boston Planning Department
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Join City staff for a virtual info session to learn more about the new Planning Academy. We will talk about what the Planning Academy is, what to expect, why to apply, and answer any questions you may have.
How to particiapte
What Is the Planning Academy?
The Planning Academy is a free, interactive learning experience designed to equip residents from different backgrounds and neighborhoods with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to meaningfully have a voice in city planning processes.
Apply
here by March 9, 2026!
676 Washington Street Public Meeting
Boston Planning Department
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This is a virtual Public Meeting for the proposed project at
676 Washington Street,
located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project to the public in order to gather additional comments and feedback for the development team.
As a first phase of development by this application, the Proponent seeks to restore, renovate, expand and convert the long-existing Church Building at the Property Site into a multifamily residential development of up to approximately 49,500 gross square feet,
with up to 33 units of market rate and income restricted housing, below grade garaged parking and related site and access improvements at its newly sub-divided lot of approximately 38,968 square feet (the “Phase 1 Project”). It will retain a majority of the
Church Building’s public facing front and side elevations along Washington Street, with a carefully designed and appropriately sited four (4) story addition at the rear. To improve open space, enhance pedestrian access and mitigate vehicular impacts, the Phase
1 Project will also relocate the existing driveway and vast surface parking area at the Site, with an improved central drive lane. New landscape and site planning measures will also be integrated to comport with the Proponent’s potential future restoration,
renovation, expansion and residential conversion of the existing Rectory Building at its sub-divided lot, as part of a second phase of development by a subsequent and separate Small Project Review process.
How to participate
Allston-Brighton Community Plan Office Hours
Boston Planning Department
Friday, February 27, 2026,12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Do you have questions you didn't get answered at the
Allston-Brighton
Community Plan (ABCP) Winter Public meeting? Join the team for office hours to review the presentation, ask follow up questions, or share nuance around zoning challenges you have experienced in Allston-Brighton.
Presentation School Foundation
640 Washington Street, Brighton
Chinese/Lunar New Year Celebration (Flyer Attached)
Updates
None
Public Comments
Want to know more about the planning initiatives that are happening in Allston-Brighton? Check out The Boston Planning & Development Agency's (BPDA) planning website
https://www.bostonplans.org/planning-zoning/planning-initiatives/planning-in-allston-brighton to
stay informed and learn about opportunities to comment. It is important to share direct community feedback about what is needed to make Allston-Brighton a great place to live and work now and in the future!
676 Washington Street (SPRA Comment Period End March 6, 2026)
263 N Harvard Street (SPRA Comment Period End March 9, 2026)
Harvard University Allston Campus (IMPNF Comment Period End March 11, 2026)