Community Notes, Events, Updates & Public Comment Request December 20-26, 2021
Anthony D'Isidoro
Home for the Holidays (Flyer Attached)
To support the needs of our immigrant residents, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) are awarding $160,000 in mini-grants to 20 immigrant-serving organizations. The mini-grants are funded through corporate sponsorships for We Are Boston, an annual reception that honors the contributions immigrants make to our City.
The 20 diverse nonprofits will each receive $8,000 for operational support and capacity-building to serve immigrants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used for a wide range of services including basic needs assistance, mental health support, child and youth development, legal services, and digital equity.
The following Allston Brighton organization is selected for this year’s mini-grants:
Gardner Pilot Academy Foundation Inc.: Food, utilities, and other basic needs assistance to immigrant families in Allston/Brighton
These mini-grants are made possible through the generous contributions from We Are Boston 2020 sponsors including State Street Corporation, Arbella Insurance Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, and Eastern Bank Foundation.
NEW FUND LAUNCHED TO AID HOMEOWNERS IN ALLSTON AND BRIGHTON
Mayor Kim Janey and City Councilor Liz Breadon announced the creation of an innovative $4 million fund that will aid home buying and home repair in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. The new Allston-Brighton Home Ownership Fund gives income-qualified, first-time Allston and Brighton homebuyers a greater ability to purchase a home in Allston-Brighton by enhancing the existing first time home buyers program. The fund will also aid Allston and Brighton homeowners 60 years and older in replacing aging heating systems in their homes. Three million dollars of the fund will be used for a first-time homebuyer assistance program to purchase a home in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. Buyers must meet all the current Boston Home Center homeowner assistance program guidelines, but for this program, buyers are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in a no-interest loan. Residents who are eligible for the ONE+ Boston program can use the mortgage interest discount with this fund’s higher level of down payment and closing cost assistance to purchase a higher priced home at a lower monthly mortgage payment. These funds come from the development of the Allston Yards project and are a voluntary contribution over and above the standard affordable housing requirements mandated by the City's Inclusionary Development Policy. Councilor Breadon negotiated for the funding and the Boston Home Center will be administering the funds.
Events
Jingle & Mingle (Flyer Attached)
Boston University Community Office Hours
Boston University Government & Community Affairs
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 @ 9:00 am
We’ll hear from Justin Panarese and Emily Howard at BU Athletics about how community service is a core part of the student-athlete experience.
We’ll meet over Zoom, so please register here to receive a link to participate.
We look forward to seeing you!
Email Contact: Cecilia Nardi (cna...@bu.edu)
Boston Civic Design Commission Design Committee Meeting #1
Boston Planning & Development Agency
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Virtual Meeting
To ensure the safety of the public, staff members, and BCDC Commissioners during COVID–19 there will be no meeting at City Hall.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting: bit.ly/BCDC1221
Or join by calling 669 254 5252 with Meeting ID: 160 429 8810
Agenda
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm 60 Guest Street, Brighton
Email Contact: Elizabeth...@Boston.Gov
Boston Civic Design Commission Design Committee Meeting #2
Boston Planning & Development Agency
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Virtual Meeting
To ensure the safety of the public, staff members, and BCDC Commissioners during COVID–19 there will be no meeting at City Hall.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting: bit.ly/BCDC12ERC
Or join by calling 669 254 5252 with Meeting ID: 160 268 6230
Agenda
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (ERC), Allston
Email Contact: Elizabeth...@Boston.Gov
Updates
Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing
Inspectional Services Department
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Recommendations: 11:30 am
Case: BOA-1256458 Address: 176 Faneuil Street Ward: 22 Applicant: Theresa Gallagher
Article(s): Article 51, Section 9 Bldg Height Excessive (Stories) Article 51, Section 9 Front Yard Insufficient Article 51, Section 9 Side Yard Insufficient
Purpose: Converting the second floor attic space into living space with a shed dormer one side and a small dormer the other side. The living area will consist of two bedrooms, a bathroom and a hallway/office area. All work will be done to the architectural and structural plans provided
Video: Zoning Board of Appeal Hearings 12-14-21 - YouTube
Slide the time bar to 2:19:35
Outcome: Approved
Boston Cannabis Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 @ 1:00 pm
You are hereby notified that the Boston Cannabis Board will hold a public voting hearing.
7. Applicant: Natural Oasis, LLC
Proposed Licensed Premise: 345A-359 Washington Street, Brighton
License Type: Recreational Cannabis Dispensary License
Proposed Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday 9:00am –10:00pm Sunday 10:00am -9:00pm
Equity Status: Non-Equity Applicant
Date of Initial Application: September 9, 2021
Date of Filing with Inspectional Services Department: November 1, 2020
Date of Community Meeting: February 25, 2021
THERE IS A BUFFER ZONE CONFLICT
Video: Boston Cannabis Board - Voting Hearing - 12/15/2021 - YouTube
Slide the time bar to 42:35
Outcome: Rejected with Prejudice (Applicant cannot reapply for the same location for a year)
Boston Public Improvement Commission
Thursday, December 16, 2021 @ 10:00 am
Public Hearing
PH 20. On a petition by Verizon New England Inc. for a Grant of Location with lead company status and no participants to install new telecommunication conduit with City shadow within the following public ways in Brighton:
● Commonwealth Avenue – generally between Strathmore Road and Chestnut Hill Avenue;
● Strathmore Road – northwest of Commonwealth Avenue.
(NB 12/2/2021) As shown on a plan entitled “City of Boston Public Works Department, Engineering Division, Grant of Location Plan, Verizon, Strathmore Rd & Comm Ave, Proposed Conduit Installation,” 1 sheet dated November, 2021.
Video: Public Improvement Commission Hearings 12-16-21 - YouTube
Slide the time bar to 1:28:20
Outcome: Approved
Public Comments Requested:
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Parking Garage (DPIR, IMP Comment Due by January 4, 2022)
Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) (Supplemental Filing, PDA Comment Due by January 10, 2022)
http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/harvard-enterprise-research-campus
176 Lincoln Street (DPIR Comment Due by January 24, 2022)
http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/176-lincoln-street
40 Soldiers Field Place (PNF Comment Due by February 4, 2022)
http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/40-soldiers-field-place
155 North Beacon Street (PNF Comment Due by February 4, 2022)
http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/155-n-beacon-st
