►
Description
Docket #0372 - Hearing on the status of the Zoning Board of Appeals Executive Order and Home Rule Petition
A
A
A
This
public
hearing
is
being
recorded
and
live
streamed
at
boston.gov
city
count,
city,
hyphen,
council,
hyphen
tv,
in
accordance
with
chapter
20
of
the
acts
of
2021
modifying
certain
requirements,
the
open
meeting
law
and
relieving
public
bodies
of
certain
requirements,
including
the
requirement
that
public
bodies
conduct
its
meetings
in
a
public
place.
That's
open
and
physically
accessible
to
the
public.
The
city
council
be
conducting
this
hearing.
Virtually
this
enables
the
council
to
carry
out
our
responsibilities
while
adhering
to
public
health
recommendations
and
ensuring
public
access
to
deliberations
through
adequate
alternative
needs.
A
A
A
I
am
joined
by
my
colleagues,
the
lead
sponsor,
of
course,
and
then,
in
order
of
arrival
councillor
flynn,
councilman
bach,
I
believe
counselor
flirty
was
here.
I
may
come
back
counselor
braden,
and
so
we
will
dive
in
for
brief
opening
statements
from
colleagues
and
then
hand
it
over
to
the
administration
for
a
presentation,
counselor
edwards.
B
B
It
is
an
unelected
body.
It
is
an
appointed
body
where
that
main
function
is
to
come
up
with
exceptions
to
the
rules
to
our
zoning
code
and
for
many
of
us
we
found
that
that
that
they
have
taken.
That
is
the
exception
to
be
actually
their
mission,
and
what
is
what
we
will
find
consistently
throughout.
B
All
of
our
neighborhoods
is
a
frustration
that
people
don't
feel
that
they're
heard
that
the
rules
that
they
understand
are
supposed
to
help
protect
our
neighborhoods
or
at
least
be
negotiated
around
for
substantial
hardships
are
routinely
ignored
and
oftentimes.
The
substantial
hardships
are
the
financial
interests
of
developers
coming
into
our
neighborhoods,
and
so
the
frustration
really
is
that
we
want
the
zba
to
do
its
job
and
but
we
also
learned
that
the
zba
could
do
well
needed
some
additional
resources
and
needed
to
change.
B
B
I
was
there
at
the
signing
with
with
certain
timelines
for
certain
activities
to
happen
by
august
of
this
year,
and
so
I'm
going
to
go
through
some
of
those
timelines
and
those
committed
promises
and
recommitted
promises
shortly
and
then
I
and
then,
as
you
know,
the
remainder
in
terms
of
the
structure
of
the
zba
in
terms
of
time
limits.
Term
limits
of
the
zba
is
still
pending
at
the
state
house.
B
So
again,
within
45
days
after
the
signing,
we
were
supposed
to
have
translation
services
and
an
ombudsperson
to
inform
the
public
and
answer
questions
within
120
days.
According
to
the
executive
order,
which
would
have
been
june
24th
of
this
year,
a
scheduled
meeting
for
the
zba
to
discuss
the
creation
of
any
written
policies
or
protocols
to
facilitate
efficient
and
predictable
conduct
of
the
zba
proceedings
within
180
days,
which
would
have
been,
will
be
august.
23Rd
of
this
year.
B
We're
to
have
a
petition
to
amend
article
80
of
the
boston
zoning
code
to
lower
the
threshold
for
requiring
disclosures
of
ownership
or
beneficial
interests
in
a
property
or
project
from
a
hundred
thousand
square
feet
to
where
it
would
apply
to
all
or
substantial
majority
of
non-owned
non-homeowner
projects.
So
currently
in
the
bpda.
B
B
So
the
goal
honestly
was
to
improve
the
implementation
of
the
zba.
It
was
to
make
sure
that
more
people
could
participate,
as
we
learned
in
this
moment
in
the
pandemic.
Translation
and
digital
access
is
key
and
where
we
are
fighting
to
make
sure
that
we
continue
to
have
that
access
through
our
digital
access
ordinance.
But
the
the
most
important
thing
is
that
we
need
the
zba
to
do
its
job,
the
other.
B
At
the
time
of
the,
we
also
have
pushed
for
the
goal
of
the
executive
order
to
not
only
improve
the
improvement
or
implementation,
but
also
with
conflicts
of
interest
and
increasing
transparency
and
efficiency
of
the
board.
At
the
time
of
the
appointment
to
the
zba,
each
member
will
disclose
all
of
the
properties
or
projects
in
which
they
are
any
of
their
business
associates
have
business
dealings
so
we're
interested
in
that
and
having
that
done.
B
They
also
disclose
any
new
properties
or
projects
they
may
appear
before
the
zba
as
soon
as
they
know
that
they
will
appear
before
the
the
board
expands
the
two-year
prohibition
on
participating,
participating
in
or
deciding
on
any
appeal
regarding
a
property
in
which
they
have
an
ownership
interest
or
have
received
compensation
for
work
on
up
to
from
two
years
to
five
years.
It
prohibits
zba
members
from
having
any
subsequent
business
dealings
on
any
project
or
project
on
which
they
voted
for
for
two
years,
zba
members
will
submit
annual
statements
of
financial
interest.
B
I
do
think
we
had
asked
about
that.
Actually,
during
our
budget
hearings,
if
the
financial
interests
have
been
submitted,
cba
members
will
undergo
training
and
ethics
and
processes
in
boston,
zoning
code
and
principles
of
zoning
law
whenever
appointed
to
be
or
are
reappointed
so
interested
in
how
the
training
is
going
within
180
days,
the
boston
zoning
again
was
to
lower
the
threshold,
and
so
essentially,
I'm
really
excited
to
see
how
much
of
this
has
gotten
done.
I
know
much
of
it
was
committed
recommitted
in
this
budget
process.
B
I
understand
it's
a
long
introduction,
madam
chair,
but
this
has
been
something
I
think
many
of
us,
as
counselors
have
heard
about
this
organization
and
the
bpda
more
than
any
other
in
terms
of
complaints,
concerns
and
and
questions.
So
I
want
to
make
sure
we're
all
informed
about
the
commitments
and
the
promises
from
the
administration
before
we
go
in
to
find
out
where
we
are
with
them.
A
C
I
don't
have
an
opening
statement
per
se,
but
here
to
listen,
but
also
to
learn
more
about
improvements
and
changes
that
we
can
make
to
ensure
that
the
neighborhood
process
is
clearly
spelled
out.
Residents
know
exactly
what
to
expect
residents
feel
that
their
voice
is
important
during
this
discussion
at
the
zba
and
respected
as
well
and
again,
I'm
here
to
here
to
learn
more
and
I
want
to.
I
want
to
thank
counselor,
edwards
and
counselor
will
for
their
work
on
this
as
well.
Council
fiery
too.
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
council.
D
Thank
you,
councillor
wu
and
thank
you
so
much
to
council
edwards
for
her
leadership
on
this
issue.
I
I
won't
be
able
to
stay
for
the
whole
hearing,
but
I
just
wanted
to
come
and
say
that
I
think
it's
so
important.
You
know
really
to
to
give
the
work
that
we
do
meaning
as
the
legislative
body,
the
things
that
we
pass
have
to
then
be
implemented
and
the
same
as
you
know,
on
the
budget.
D
E
Thank
you,
chairwoman
wu,
and
thank
you
to
council
edwards
for
sponsoring
the
hearing,
as
well
as
for
outlining
those
critical
issues
so
well.
A
few
minutes
ago,
I
have
long
been
a
local
vocal
advocate
for
the
need
for
for
zba
reform.
The
zoning
board
of
appeals
process
is
outdated
in
in
opaque.
It
does
not
work
for
bostonians
and
too
often
favors
developers
from
outside
the
city
seeking
variances
at
the
expense
of
our
neighborhoods,
our
communities
and
their
quality
of
life.
E
In
my
own
neighborhood,
along
with
council
flynn,
we
led
a
two
and
a
half
year,
extensive
rezoning
process
to
modernize
the
zoning
code
in
the
neighborhood
and
also
to
determine
a
shared
vision
for
the
future
of
of
the
neighborhood
and,
unfortunately,
every
tuesday
sort
of
you
know,
willy-nilly
and
depending
on
who
you
hire
or
who
you
know
or
who
sign
your
help,
determines
what
variances
happen.
At
the
end
of
the
day,
we
need
to
have
a
zoning
vote
of
appeals
that
adheres
that
obeys
that
follows
that
upholds
local
zoning.
E
All
of
that
that's
the
obvious,
but
until
we
have
a
zoning
board
of
appeals
that
upholds
and
adheres
to
local
zoning,
we're
going
to
continue
to
chase
our
tail
here,
the
only
variances,
the
only
variances
that
should
be
allowed
every
tuesday
are
demonstrated
hardships
not
that
you
overpaid
for
the
parcel
not
that
you're
going
to
lose
some
money
on
the
speculative
side
of
the
market.
Literally,
it
has
to
be
a
demonstrated,
hardship,
there's
an
easement
or
there's
a
some
stone
ledge
that
you
came
across
that
you
didn't
realize
was
there.
E
Those
are
sort
of
demonstrated
hardships,
maybe
expanding
living
space
for
a
resident,
that
their
family
is
growing.
Things
like
that
demonstrated
hardships
when
you
have
folks
coming
before
the
zoning
board
of
appeals
with
8
9
11
variance
requests.
It's
not
only
is
it
offensive,
it
would
never
happen
in
any
other
jurisdiction,
but
it
happens
here
and
it
has
to
stop.
So
we
can
continue
to
focus
on
this
and
another
thing
just
lastly,
to
open
on
it.
When
someone
defers,
they
play
the
deferral
game
when
they
defer.
E
The
onus
should
be
put
on
the
proponents
to
re-mail
to
re-notice
the
abutters
in
the
community
groups,
and
that
doesn't
happen.
So
we
got
a
little
bit
of
a
sort
of
a
bait-and-switch
play.
The
deferral
game
wait
for
no
one
to
pay
attention.
You
know,
wait
for
the
summer
months,
defer
no
new
notices
go
out
and
then
there's
a
hearing
and
then
it
gets
approved
and
everyone
in
the
neighborhood's
like
how
the
heck
did
that
just
happen.
So
those
are
my
issues
with
the
zba.
E
F
F
In
the
neighborhood,
I
feel
that
sometimes,
when
a
speculator
comes
into
our
neighborhood
and
sees
the
two-family
house
on
a
good-sized
lot,
they
will
they
will
apply.
They
will
plan
to
build
nine
units
of
housing
on
it
and
accept
expect
to
have
all
their
variances
granted
without
do
respect
for
the
the
concerns
of
the
neighborhood,
and
it's
not
that
I'm
against
housing
development,
I'm
absolutely
pro-development,
but
it
has
to
work
for
ordinary
people
and
not
just
for
speculative
investors
who
are
coming
into
our
neighborhoods.
F
The
issue
about
deferrals
is
really
critical.
I
feel
that
it's
very
hard
for
the
ordinary
citizen
to
track
when
a
project
is
going
to
come
up
for
review
again
if
it's
been
deferred
and
it's
basically
a
game
of
you-
know
cat
and
mouse
between
developers
and
and
the
neighborhood
to
see
if
they
can
sneak
in
and
get
a
get
a
hearing
in
front
of
the
zba
without
without
adequate
representation
from
the
community.
So
all
of
these
issues
are
of
great
concern
and
I
look
forward
to
the
conversation.
Thank
you.
G
G
G
I
have
a
project,
that's
near
almost
directly
across
the
street.
From
me
it
was
a
large
site.
It
was
a
single
family
on
25,
25
000
square
feet,
the
developer
designed
it
so
he
didn't
trip
any
variances.
It's
the
worst
project
that
anybody
would
ever
want
to
look
at.
It's
it.
There's
nothing
redeeming
about
it,
so
I
think
we
have
to
tread
lightly
here.
I
see
a
lot
of
stuff
being
blocked
at
zoning
now
and
I
can't
figure
out
the
reason
for
it.
We
have
to
be
careful
about
investment
in
neighborhoods.
G
My
neighborhood
is
is
enabled
that's
that's,
that's,
I
believe,
benefited
from
the
new
investment.
That's
coming
into
neighborhood,
so
I
just
asked
that
we
tread
lightly.
One
thing
that
I
would
say
is
I
would
I
wish
the
zoning
zoning
board
members
were
full
time,
so
they
had
time
to
go
through
the
content,
so
they
had
time
to
to
really
look
at
the
project,
not
just
on
tuesday
morning.
But
again
I
would.
I
would
suggest
that
we
we
tread
lightly
and
people
that
people
are
talking
about
not
granting
any
variances.
G
So
if
we
were
to
rezone
the
whole
city,
then
the
developers
would
come
in
and
not
even
look
at
us
as
a
district
council
and
say
no,
you
re-zoned
it.
I
can
do
nine
units
here.
That's
what
rezoning
means
to
me
if
we're
looking
at
going
in
and
rezoning
because
of
our
archaic
zoning
laws,
which
which
mandate,
which
drives
the
developers
in
front
of
us
as
district
city
councils
and
at
lodge
if
they
choose
to
get
involved.
So
I
I
I
I
would
like
to
tread
lightly.
That's
all.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
A
Thank
you,
council
baker.
I
think
that's
the
council
baker's
absolutely
right
to
point
out
that
there
are
multiple,
interconnected,
big
issues
here
and-
and
so
you
know,
while
this
sub
and
I'll
go
to
the
lead
sponsor
for
one
one,
brief
comment
after
this,
but
while
the
subject
of
this
particular
hearing
is
following
up
and
just
making
sure
as
a
counsel,
we
have
accountability
and
oversight
over
the
homework
petition
and
the
particular
transparency
provisions
that
were
filed
about
the
zba.
A
The
zoning
code
itself
and
what
the
zba
is
operating
off
of
is
certainly
a
major
major
concern,
and
you
know
the
intricacies
of
how
long
it's
been
for
particular
neighborhoods
since
their
last
rezoning-
and
you
know
I
don't-
I
don't-
want
us
to
get
too
into
all
the
whole
pandora's
box
and
and
to
make
sure
that
we
can
start
here
and,
of
course,
keep
going
in
terms
of
what
this
committee
and
this
council
will
do.
Council
edwards.
B
Just
just
a
note,
I
appreciate
the
comments
from
councillor
baker.
This
is
a
check
in
on
the
on
the
promises
from
the
walsh
administration.
Then
re
promises
from
the
jne
administration
for
the
executive
order
to
do
things
that
that
made
the
zba
more
efficient.
That's
the
primary
focus
of
this,
and
I
I
think
the
frustration
you're
hearing
is
what
I'm
also
going
through.
Also
in
east
boston.
B
But
what
happened
is
that
that
vision
and
planning
stopped,
but
the
variances
in
the
constant
building
and
the
purchasing
didn't,
and
so
I
think
that
that's
the
disconnect
a
lot
of
people
feel,
but
I
understand-
and
I
too
had
to
pull
a
permit
and
I
was
denied
to
help
in
my
own
house.
So
I've
been
there
too
councilor
baker.
A
H
Absolutely
thank
you
house,
peru
other
city
councilors
here.
My
name
is
chris
english.
I
am
the
chief
of
staff
for
the
inspectional
services
department.
Upfront.
Just
thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
speak
today.
I
just
want
to
give
a
presentation
to
update
you
on
our
progress
and
at
risk
of
repeating
much
of
what
counselor
edwards
so
thoughtfully
went
through
in
her
opening
statement.
H
In
february
2020,
then,
mayor
walsh
signed
this
executive
order
that
directed
us
to
adopt
several
measures
to
improve
transparency,
efficiency
in
operations
with
the
zoning
board
of
appeal,
the
executive
order.
I
think
it's
easily
divided
into
two
sections:
one
focused
on
improving
ethics
and
transparency,
including
measures
that
require
our
members
to
disclose
all
of
their
properties
and
projects
in
which
they
have
business
dealings,
ownership,
interests,
investments
and
the
like
that
are
likely
to
become
come
before
the
vote
of
appeal.
H
These
disclosures
are
done
upon
appointment
to
the
board
and
on
an
ongoing
basis,
as
new
cases
come
into
the
docket.
The
executive
order
also
prohibits
members
and
alternates
from
participating
in
or
deciding
on
any
appeal
involving
projects
in
which
they've
had
ownership
interests
or
received
any
compensation
for
five
years
prior
to
the
date.
The
appeal
is
filed
with
the
board.
H
H
H
The
executive
order
also
requires
a
comprehensive
ethics
training,
as
well
as
training
in
board
processes,
the
zoning
code
and
the
principles
of
zoning
law.
It's
required
at
the
time
of
initial
appointment,
as
well
as
when
members
or
alternates
are
reappointed,
as
well
as
on
an
ongoing
basis
for
certain
topics.
H
I
would
want
to
add
that
you
know,
as
part
of
this
push
for
for
more
epics
training
ifd
also
last
year
appointed
an
internal
ethics
committee
that
worked
with
the
state
ethics
commission
to
develop
mandatory
training
for
all
isd
staff,
not
just
the
administrative
staff
of
the
board
or
the
board
members.
But
every
single
employee
of
isd
expands
beyond
our
training
required
by
state
law
for
all
public
employees
and
gives
detailed
information
and
guidance.
That's
specifically
applicable
to
the
work
that
our
staff
does
every
day.
H
In
addition
to
the
ethics
and
transparency
measures
in
the
executive
order,
it
also
directs
the
inspirational
services
department
to
modernize
the
board's
operations
and
improve
its
efficiency
through.
Several
different
pictures
requires
us
to
enable
online
application
and
payment
from
permits
and
petitions
to
the
board.
We
implemented
this
last
year
and
has
been
going
well.
H
I
H
And
all
testimony
submitted
to
the
department
is
shared
with
board
members
prior
to
hearings,
the
executive
order
directed
the
department
to
enable
the
electronic
submission
of
plans.
We'll
say
nearly
all
permit
applications
submitted
isd
these
days
are
done
electronically
through
our
online
permitting
portal.
H
H
So
this
is
another
one
of
the
improvements
to
the
operation
of
the
board
that
was
accelerated
by
the
covet
19
pandemic,
via
the
move
to
virtual
hearings,
and
particularly
the
ability
to
share
on-screen
proposed
plans
and
renderings
for
each
case
being
heard
by
the
board.
So
it
gives
the
public
better
insight
into
specific
projects.
H
The
executive
order
also
asks
to
approve
the
existing
database
of
zba
information
so
that
it's
searchable
and
contains
all
pending
applications.
Deferrals
decided
petitions
with
decisions
included.
So
last
summer
we
launched
the
first
version
of
our
online
zda
tracker,
which
allows
anybody
to
have
up-to-date
information
about
pending
and
decided
appeals.
H
H
Finally,
the
order
directed
the
department
to
designate
an
umbuds
person
to
answer
questions
and
inform
the
public
about
board
processes
and
procedures
and
assist
during
hearings.
So
currently
isd's
assistant,
commissioner
of
constituent
services,
serves
as
our
and
zba
ambassador
and
facilitates
the
public
role
in
in
our
hearings,
especially
our
virtual
ones.
These
days.
H
Beyond
the
executive
order,
we've
been
seizing
on
this
opportunity
to
expand
our
outreach
and
education
efforts,
so
we
so
we
saw
the
order
as
a
starting
point
for
how
we
engage
with
our
customers
and
the
public
and
have
launched
several
complementary
initiatives,
including
a
zoning
101
workshop,
which
we
hosted
this
past
fall
spring
that
provided
a
general
overview
of
how
zoning
works
in
the
city.
What
zoning's
all
about
this
eba
process?
We
had
several
hundred
members
of
the
public
participate
that
workshop
was
recorded
and
is
currently
posted
available
to
view
on
our
website.
H
H
I've
also
made
accessibility
options
to
add
added
additional
features
to
our
website.
That
includes
written
decisions,
summary
decisions
for
each
case,
full
information
about
the
schedule
of
hearings
and
where
folks
can
find
minutes
and
and
any
other
aspect
you
could
think
of
for
the
board
and
more
information
is
always
better.
H
H
We
also
have
additional
administrative
and
technical
positions
in
the
works
as
part
of
our
fy
22
operating
budget.
That
will
help
lend
better
support
specifically
to
applicants,
especially
first-time
small
project
applicants
at
the
beginning
stages
of
submission
to
help
putting
applications
together
and
when
guidance
on
documentation
requirements
and
and
the
whole
plan
review
process.
H
So
with
the
council's
support,
we
hope
to
continue
making
improvements
to
the
operations
of
the
board,
and
you
know
I
would
say
our
shared
goal
is
to
ensure
that
applicants
and
residents
alike
can
have
the
confidence
in
the
that
the
vote
of
appeal
process
is
accessible
and
fair.
So
you
know
that's
sort
of
our
status
update
on
on
those
measures.
Happy
to
answer
questions
you
have
I'm
joined
also
by
brian
glasscock
from
the
bpda.
A
J
Don't
have
much
to
add
I
I
wish
I
could
take
credit
for
even
a
fraction
of
the
laundry
list
of
of
improvements
that
isd
and
chris
english
and
sean
lydon,
and
the
good
folks
over
there
have
been
able
to
accomplish
you
know
and
especially
given
that
it
was
done
under
the
unusual
circumstances
of
of
the
pandemic.
But
you
know
I
I
think
what
our
agency
can
do
is
is
try
and
be
helpful
and
complement
the
the
technical
improvements
there.
J
You
know
every
day
some
someone's
calling
with
a
question
about
this,
and
so
we've
sort
of
made
it.
You
know
our
policy
to
try
and
make
sure
that
you
know
we
don't
just
hand
them
off
to
somebody
else
or
send
them
to
311.
We
try
and
track
down.
You
know
the
answer
to
their
questions
about
you
know
a
particular
project
or
something
that's
going
to
the
zba
or
something
that's
been
to
the
cba,
so
that
you
know
when
when
we're,
you
know,
we
don't
just
hand
them
off.
A
F
B
H
We
can
share
specific
plans
or
we
can
we
envision,
adding
additional
features
to
the
zba
tracker
that
will
be
able
to
link
to
particular
information
beyond
what's
already
there,
and
I
think
that's
something
we'd
love
to
explore.
Adding
directly
to
that
tracker.
I
think
a
centralized
location
where
people
can
find
the
information
that
they're
looking
for
whenever
they
need.
It
is
probably
the
best
way
to
go,
but
you
know
certainly
open
to
working
working
that
out
with
your
input
and
advice.
B
Thank
you
with
regards
to
the
threshold
disclosures
I
I
know
we
had
talked
about
this,
so
I
guess
my
when
is
there
going
to
be
a
proposed
zoning
amendment
because
it
that's
what
what
does
it
lowers
the
threshold
to
the
zoning
amendment?
So
I
don't
know
if
you
or
brian
glasgow
can
answer
who
is
going
to
be
introducing
the
zoning
amendment
to
the
zoning
commission.
H
I
think
so
we're
sort
of
working
for
that
now
and
some
complications
that
we've
been
thinking
about.
You
know,
as
as
far
as
how
it
it's
operationalized
and
and
not
only
that,
but
actually
you
know
the
specifics
of
language.
So
right
now,
we've
been
doing
a
lot
of
digging
into
the
number
of
projects
that
come
before
the
board,
based
on
square
footage
and
how
we
would
and
the
type
of
project
it
is
and
how
we
could
lower
the
threshold
to
incorporate
all.
B
Right
just
to
add
a
little
context.
I
know
that
that
was
one
of
the
back
and
forth
that
we
had.
Initially,
we
didn't
want
everybody
who,
for
example,
was
just
adding
a
dormer.
Why
would
you
know-
and
I
thought
where
we
landed
was
if
it
was
an
investment
property-
you,
it
was
not
owner
occupied
and
an
llc
was
trying
to
get
variances
that
the
the
ownership
disclosures
of
that
llc
would
be
part
of
that
threshold.
B
Transparency,
and
I
so
I
guess
I
want
to
confirm
that
we
have
a
threshold
that
we
agree
on
the
same
thing
and
then
again
double
I
hate
to
double
down.
When
is
it
going
to
be
introduced
to
get
it
done?
This
is
this
was
I
think
it
was
within
120
days?
Actually,
so
it
was
actually
as
of
june
or
a
little
earlier
this
year
that
this
was
supposed
to
be
introduced,
at
least
in
the
zoning
commission.
H
J
Right
so
you
know
one
other
thing,
just
one
of
our
concerns
when
we
first
started
looking
at
that
was
you
know
how
do
we?
We
don't
want
to
be
drinking
from
the
fire
hose
on
on
this
one?
This
is
a.
This
is
going
to
be
a
little
bit
of
a
heavy
lift
for
us.
We
thought
about
using
you
know,
modeling
it
after
and
and
sort
of
of
paralleling
the
language
that
we
use
on
large
projects.
Small
project
review
so
drop
the
square
footage
down
to
20
000
square
feet.
J
You
know
up
to
say
three
family,
so
that
might
be
the
sort
of
the
next
step,
but
there's
an
awful
lot
of
those
and
as
we
get
into
get
into
that,
we're
going
to
have
to
do
a
lot
of
public
education,
you're
you're
talking
about
a
different
set
of
of
of
you,
know,
consultants
and
contractors
and
and
lawyers.
There
are
very
different
scales,
so
the
ones
operating
the
larger
scales
this
shouldn't,
be
it
shouldn't,
be
a
heavy
lift,
but
for
the
for
the
contractor.
That's
maybe
doing
you
know
a
small
project.
B
B
That
is
not
what
it
does.
It
simply
informs
us
and
the
reason
why
it
was
necessary
that
we
have
it
done
this
way,
especially
even
for
non-occupied.
Smaller
projects
is
because
of
and
I'll
just
use.
My
name
lydia
edwards
is
able
to
purchase
up
all
these
little
triple
deckers
and
create
a
different
llc
name
for
it.
It's
lme1,
lma2
lm
those
are
my
initials
lma3,
whatever
whatever
and
collectively.
B
I'm
able
to
displace
and
do
a
lot
of
things
and
and
build,
build
around
and
and
ask
for
all
these
different
variances
heck
I'll,
even
use
the
one
variant
I
got
from
the
project
next
door
as
president
saying
well,
it
was
allowed-
or
I
got
it
done
and
and
llc
after
llc
with
lack
of
transparency.
That
allows
for
this
to
happen,
and
it's
me
the
whole
time
or
it's
some
one
individual
or
a
group
of
investors,
the
entire
time.
B
But
I
I
just
not
to
call
out
anybody,
but
just
to
explain
that
that
is
the
goal
and
and
and
we've
had
that
was
part
of
the
executive
order
goal
and
it's
it's
not
been
introduced
even
language
to
do
that.
So
the
complication
isn't
it's.
You
have
language
already
exists,
lower
the
threshold
for
non-occupied
property,
and
then
they
can
expose
just
say
their
ownership
interest
is,
if
you
find
that
their
owner
occupants,
they
don't
need
to
expose
that.
B
H
So
I
I
would
say
the
a
complicating
factor
is
that
disclosure
is
currently
made
for
article
80
are
not
made
to
the
inspirational
services
department.
Those
are
submitted
to
the
bpda,
so
we're
talking
about
a
whole
list
of
other
projects
that
don't
go
through
the
bpda
at
all.
So
it's
it's
a
different
sort
of
repository.
I
guess
I'd
say,
secondly,
is
how
applications
are
submitted
to
isd
many
homeowner
projects
have
their
applications
submitted
by
their
contractors,
which
would
show
up
possibly
as
an
llc
as
the
applicant,
the
owner
information
isn't
collected.
H
H
There's
a
a
waiver
of
the
requirement
to
have
a
licensed
professional
apply
for
the
permit,
that's
correct,
so
we
do
accept
that,
but
many
homeowners
just
have
their
contractor
or
even
their
architect
or
another
representative
submit
their
applications
on
their
behalf
generally
because
they
know
the
process
and
they
know
how
to
do
it.
So
it's
it's
sort
of
some
of
those
little
intricacies
that
I
think
we
just
have
to
to
figure
out
how
to
operationalize.
B
I
understand
operationalizing
and
actually
changing
the
law
can
happen.
At
the
same
time,
though,
and
so
what
I,
what
I'm,
what
hasn't
happened
is
a
filing
of
an
amendment
to
change
the
law
and
and-
and
I
know
that
that
process
takes
time,
so
I'm
asking
for
a
commitment
to
introduce
that
change.
The
law
and
I
understand
isd,
will
have
to
adjust
its
application
you're
adjusting
everything
else.
According
to
the
executive
order,
you
had
to
adjust
your
notifications.
You
had
to
adjust
other
things
as
well.
You
had
to
operationalize
language
inclusion.
A
A
Thank
you.
We
have
several
people
who
are
interested
in
testifying
as
well,
so
I
won't
hold
this
up
too
much
and
I
I
anyway
I
can
follow
up
with
counselor
edward's
push
separately.
Let
me
go
to
the
list
and
in
the
meantime,
chris
or
brian,
is
there
anything
else
that
you
feel
we
haven't
covered,
that's
important
for
us
to
know
or
or
to
be
thinking
about.
H
Only
to
say
you
know
if
ideas
come
up
for
for
additional
improvements
or
how
we
can
continue
to
iterate
this,
because
you
know
modernization
is
an
iterative
process
and
you
know
the
executive
order
is
sort
of
a
static
document
that
says
do
these
things,
but
we
want
to
make
sure
we're
being
responsive
to
that.
So
we're
happy
to
take
that
input,
that
feedback
and
and
see
what
we
can
do
to
it.
J
Yeah
and
when
we
have
something
you
know
to
respond
to
with
the
the
zoning
commission
we'll
make
sure
that
it
gets
scheduled,
you
know
as
quickly
as
as
it
can
be.
I
think
the
one
of
the
things
that
we
need
generally
need
to
do
with
when
with
any
zoning
amendment
is,
you
know
some
level
of
public
process
and
that
you
know,
I
think
today's
today's
meeting
is
is
part
of
that.
J
A
A
So
what
I'd
like
to
do
if
counselor
edwards
is
amenable
to
the
schedule
as
well,
is
I'd
like
to
right
now
we
have
10
folks
ready
and
waiting
to
testify,
so
I'd
like
to
get
through
the
first
half
and
then
we'll
open
it
back
up
for
questions
that
may
have
surfaced
through
those
remarks
and
then
anything
else
from
our
lead
sponsor
and
then
we'll
do
the
second
half
and
and
then
close
out
great
okay.
So
the
order
that
I
have
is
I'm
sorry.
I
lost
my
document.
A
I
will
double
check
if
everyone
is
here.
So
first
up
is
ellen
hume
and
I
will
add
folks
to
the
main,
oh
carrie,
I'm
sorry,
I
don't
have
the
ability
to
move
folks
into
the
room,
but
I
see
you
are
so
thank
you.
Ellen
hume,
victor
bronia,
thomas
scavoni
and
nat.
Taylor
are
the
first
four
I
will
go
to
five
and
elliott
is
elliot
laffer
here
and
elliot
laffer,
so
those
will
be
the
first
five.
K
Thank
you
so
much,
I'm
ellen
hume,
20
tileston
street
in
the
north
end,
and
I
want
to
thank
first
of
all
chair
michelle
wu
and
our
counselor
lydia
edwards.
I
also
want
to
thank
a
counselor
flaherty
for
saying
a
lot
of
what
is
on
our
minds.
I
will
be
extremely
brief,
but
I
represent
a
lot
of
neighbors
and
we've
been
waiting
over
a
year
to
tell
this
story
and
having
you
hear,
it
is
very
important
to
us.
K
K
There
are
some
very
big
projects
pending
in
the
north
end
on
and
the
waterfront,
and
we're
very
worried
that
the
butters
and
the
existing
people
there
are
going
to
suffer
what
we
went
through
just
in
january
of
this
year.
I'll
be
extremely
brief,
but
I
will
tell
you
that
that
I
think
that
counselor
baker
especially
needs
a
reality
check
on
how
the
zba
is
actually
working.
K
K
Our
community
groups,
which
never
agree
on
anything
agreed
on
this.
The
design
was
not
appropriate
for
this
very
sensitive
building.
Six
luxury
condos
sounded
like
a
great
idea.
We
were
behind
that
idea,
but
building
a
new
story
on
a
building
that
literally
was
built
over
hollow
underground.
Passageways
raised
really
serious
structural
issues.
The
developer
refused
to
do
any
structural
analysis
and
we
also
had
big
fire
safety
concerns,
because
there
had
been
two
fire
fatalities
within
the
last
few
years
on
hanover
street
in
a
similar
brick
building.
K
So
we
asked
did
they
have
more
than
just
one
staircase?
We
asked
that
they
have
some
a
fire
exit.
That
was
more
than
just
the
one
exit
we
asked
for
perhaps
other
mitigation
measures
and
they
blew
us
off
and
they
said
we're
sprinklered
one
one
stairway
is
fine,
so
in
a
five-story
walk-up
with
six
condos,
we
were
really
worried
about
safety
issues
to
make
a
long
story
short,
they
needed
a
lot
of
variances
to
get
this
approved.
They
offered
no
storage,
no
parking,
nothing
to
mitigate
the
density
that
they
were
proposing.
K
Well,
that
was
what
was
before
the
zoning
board.
The
zba
postponed
the
rectory
hearing
five
times
in
a
row
between
2019
and
2021,
all
at
the
request
of
the
developer
and
the
zba
staff,
with
no
advance
warning
to
a
butters,
no
explanation
and
no
recognition
that
we've
been
waiting
in
large
numbers
each
time.
To
testify
I'll,
be
very,
very
brief,
but
tell
you
that
when
the
fight,
the
hearing
finally
happened
on
the
sixth
date
january
12th,
none
of
the
real
abutters
was
allowed
to
speak
at
all.
It
was
only
the
developer.
K
K
K
Clearly
the
issue
had
been
decided
in
advance
behind
closed
doors
based
on
politics
and
money.
The
merits
of
the
case
were
not
considered,
so
here's
the
punch
line
of
the
whole
joke
the
final
ruling
as
they
wrote
it
up
contained
material,
factual
errors.
They
said
there
had
been
five
prior
hearings
discussing
the
project
and
you
know
they
had
all
been
canceled.
K
The
lawyer
told
us
we
would
have
to
pay
a
minimum
of
thirty
thousand
dollars
to
appeal
this
even
just
to
correct
the
factual
errors,
get
due
process
of
law
and
get
the
case
reconsidered
or
make
the
zba
accountable.
So,
in
conclusion,
I
have
to
say
we're
very
dismayed.
Even
after
the
great
efforts
by
lydia
edwards
and
you
counselor
wu
to
to
resolve
the
issues
for
the
community,
we
did
not
see
that
in
action
on
january
12
and
we're
very
deeply
disturbed,
and
we
think
that
faith
in
our
city's
government
is
really
suffering.
L
L
A
So
victor:
well,
if
you
have
written
a
comment,
feel
free.
If
you
want
to
email
it
to
me
at
boston.gov,
I
can
make
sure
the
whole
council
gets
it
and
it's
entered
into
the
record.
So
we'll
have
the
whole
thing,
and
if
you
wanted
to
do
that
now
and
then
we
can
take
you
at
the
end
and
you
can
do
a
sort
of
summary
version
of
it.
But
it'll
be
the
near.
A
A
M
M
This
spikes
transit
transient
sea,
we
see
we
are
bearing
witness
in
the
north
end
to
a
diaspora,
we're
losing
our
neighbors
and
it's
the
affordable
housing
piece.
Now
you
can't
lay
gentrification
all
at
the
feet
of
the
zoning
board
of
appeal,
but
when
the
airbnb-
and
we
saw
what
was
happening
curiously,
the
airbnb-
why
did
they
approve
architects
plans
and
developers?
Plans
where
you
knew
that
each
of
the
three
or
four
bedrooms
had
their
own
bathroom
and
very
small
common
areas?
And
this
certainly
was
not.
M
Called
it
multiple
family,
housing
and
a
question
would
be.
Why
was
that
allowed?
Did
anybody
see
it?
Did
anybody
raise
their
voice?
This
has
demoralized
us
and
we
have
had
to
bear
witness
to
tones
of
arrogance.
I'm
just
I'm
not
accusing
the
people
of
being
arrogant.
I'm
talking
about
the
tone.
This
is
how
our
citizens,
this
is
how
our
residents
see
their
municipal
government,
see
their
elected
officials
and
their
appointed
officials.
M
Why
do
they
want
to
be
reappointed?
What
can
they
say
they
have
done
that
they
have
seen
that
they
have
contributed
besides
processing
sausages,
in
these
dozens
upon
dozens
of
long
docket
lists
and
just
racing
through
them.
Why
have
they
not
asked
for
more
staff?
Why
have
they
not
sought
other
other
days
to
have
these
hearings,
but
that?
M
So
that
is
what
I
basically
want
to
say,
but
I
did
want
to
put
out
a
warning
for
the
city
councilors,
you
send
your
staffs
down
when
you
can't
go
down
and
these
young
people
pop
up
out
of
their
chairs
or
off
the
side
where
they're,
leaning
against
the
walls
and
either
they're
for
or
against
it,
and
then
the
counselors
who
are
thoughtful
and
have
want
to
take
a
neutral
position
because
they
they
don't
see
this
as
being
a
political
issue.
It's
a
development
issue
and
it's
between
neighbors.
M
If
they
take
a
new,
a
neutral
position,
then
the
zoning
board
of
appeal
looks
at
that.
It
says:
oh,
the
council
is
not
there.
He
or
she
doesn't
care
about
this
project,
and
so
they
will
go
blithely
along
their
way
and
I
cannot
tell
you
the
damage
this
does
to
our
respect,
certainly
for
the
zoning
board
of
appeal,
certainly
for
the
bpda,
certainly
for
the
mayor's
office
of
neighborhood
services,
because
those
five
deferrals
that
ms
hume
spoke
about.
People
took
time
off
from
work.
Some
of
them
got
child
care,
and
why
does
the?
M
Why
does
the
mayor's
office
of
neighborhood
services
with
the
zba
they
know
and
the
developers
know
that
on
that
morning,
there's
going
to
be
a
deferral
and
we
lose
time
from
our
children
and
from
our
work?
So
I'm
sorry,
I
I
you
know
I
I
really
am
upset
about
this,
because
it's
demoralizing
and
and
it
does
not
cast
a
good,
a
good
light
on
the
council
and
I
don't
say
that
to
be
disparaging,
but
it
sends
the
wrong
message
and
thank
you.
Thank.
N
Wonderful,
thank
you.
I
think
I
had
a
hot
mic
there
for
a
second
and
I
apologize
I'll
make
a
brief
comment,
which
is
just
the
the
obscurity
of
the
current
eba
appeal
process,
dissuades
ordinary
people
from
participating,
based
on
the
conversations
that
I
have
as
secretary
or
my
neighborhood
association.
So
I
appreciate
the
changes
the
zba
has
made
in
the
last
year,
like
the
tracker
and
the
other
digital
improvements.
I
just
want
to
advocate
for
finishing
the
executive
order.
N
It
should
be
straightforward
to
sign
up
for
email,
I
think
sending
an
email
like
having
to
know
to
send
it
to
some
address
and
then
not
knowing
what
to
send
should
be
fixed.
The
the
latest
published
minutes
that
I
see
are
from
may
so
it
can
take
months
or
weeks
for
things
to
get
published
and
that's
confusing
and
should
be
taken
care
of
like
maybe
it
could
be
automated
and
the
tracker
doesn't
include
things
like
which
articles
require
relief.
N
So
when
you
really
want
to
look
at
interesting
pieces
of
the
data
and
aggregate
like
how
much
open
space
are
we
losing
due
to
zoning
variances,
it's
very
difficult,
because
that
data
is
not
in
a
you
know,
a
structured
format
that
can
be
easily
consumed,
and
so
I
think
if
we,
the
executive
order,
were
finished,
it
would
really
remove
that
obscurity
and
let
ordinary
people
participate
and
also
make
them
more
interested
in
participating
since
they
feel
like
they
were
in
the
now.
Thank
you.
Oh
now,
taylor,
158,
cottage
street
east
boston,.
I
It
shouldn't
be
easy
to
get
a
variance
and-
and
I'm
sympathetic
to
councillor
baker's
point
about
not
nearly
but
there's
a
there's
a
requirement
variances
I've,
always
I
was
always
taught-
are
supposed
to
be
assumed
a
no
you're
not
supposed
to
assume
you're
going
to
get
them,
and
you
certainly
shouldn't
have
a
an
assumption
in
the
paperwork
that's
presented.
What
is
the
zoning
release
that
this
project
needs?
I
I
Do
they
really
meet
these
conditions
that
protect
the
the
neighborhood
around
them
like
a
restaurant
that
might
have
odors,
and
you
want
to
make
sure
that
it
won't
do
that
a
variance
is
not
supposed
to
be
approved
unless
there's
a
site-specific
reason
that
is
different
from
all
the
other
buildings
in
that
same
area
that
mean
that
it
can't
meet
the
code
and
to
the
extent
that
we
don't
enforce
that.
What
we
wind
up
is
is
a
group
of
people
who
listen.
I
mean
I
just
took
a
look.
I
Last
week's
board
of
appeals
had
30
applications
on
it,
22
were
for
variances.
If
you
took
10
minutes
for
each
of
those
30
applications,
that's
a
5-hour
hearing
and
that's
10
minutes.
That
includes
the
time
that
the
board,
the
the
the
applicant
presents
that
the
the
board
asks
questions
and
that
the
public
comments.
I
I
A
O
Yes,
thank
you,
madam
chair
and
council
edwards,
in
particular
for
sponsoring
this.
This
motion
and
the
and
the
other
and
the
other
councillors.
My
name
is:
martin
rata,
I'm
a
resident
of
of
the
back
bay
and
a
member
of
the
neighborhood
association
of
the
back
bay.
I
agree
with
elliot
laffer's
comments
about
the
fact
that
the
cba,
for
all
its
obvious
faults
and
the
weaknesses
in
its
procedures
nevertheless
is
faced
with
doing
an
impossible
job.
O
But
I'd
also
like
to
speak
on
behalf
of
the
alliance
of
downtown
civil
organizations
whose
chair
ford,
cavallari
did
submit
written
testimony
and
that
testimony
includes
nine
points
and
seven
preliminary
recommendations
or
suggestions
for
improvement.
I
won't
go
through
them
all
ford
by
the
way
can
cannot
testify
today
because
of
a
unfortunate
death
in
the
family.
O
Among,
among
the
nine
points,
I'd
just
like
to
draw
your
attention
to
a
few
of
them
that
are
particularly
significant.
It
seems
to
me
one
is
that
the
the
zba
combines
what
should
be
relatively
routine
consumer
or
homeowner
issues
with
all
kinds
of
matters
that
involve
problematic
policies
like
electronic
signs
and
the
city's
short-term
rental
policy.
O
Secondly,
large
corporations
in
particular
are
able
to
exploit
the
zba
by
creating
policy-busting
presidents,
which
they
are
then
prepared
to
exploit
by
litigation,
which
certainly
creates
fear
and
concern
in
the
city
about
the
concept
of
that.
If
comparable
projects
are
denied,
the
city,
regrettably,
has
been
lacks
in
establishing
clear
directions
and
instructions
for
the
zba
and
furthermore-
and
this
is
something
whichever
extends
beyond
the
city,
but
involves
a
state
as
well.
O
The
bpda,
well,
the
mbta
state
and
state
organizations
can
bypass
the
zba
process
entirely,
for
example,
has
happened
with
electronic
signs
at
the
seaport
north
station,
a
number
of
mbta
parcels.
So,
having
said
all
that,
our
initial
discussions
internally
have
led
to
a
number
of
particular
suggestions.
O
One
of
the
most
important
ones
is
that
we
believe
there
should
be
separate
homeowner
and
business
industry
zba
processes
and,
with
the
latter,
being
considerably
less
open
to
gaming
by
well-financed
strong,
national
and
multinational
organizations,
including
elimination
of
deferrals.
This
this
technique,
that
is
constantly
used
to
wear
down
opposition
from
residents
in
particular
also
the
city,
should
consider
handling
separately
the
very
esoteric
business
oriented
zoning
issues
such
as
those
associated
with
bio
labs.
A
group
growing
number
which
are
now
being
proposed,
which
I
think
is
completely
beyond
the
competence
of
the
zba.
O
There
needs
to
be
clearly
a
higher
bar
overall
for
requesting
a
variance
and
all
applicants,
especially
for
forbidden
uses,
need
to
be
extremely
limited
in
the
deferrals
that
they
can
require.
We
also
think,
by
the
way,
that
the
track
record
of
a
business
developer,
such
as
labor
law,
violations,
failure
to
pay
taxes,
no
fault
evictions,
tenant
harassment,
etc,
should
be
part
of
the
record
and,
finally,
that
the
sign
code
should
be
separated
from
the
zoning
code
and
billboard
should
be
regulated
and
managed
by
environmental
transportation
departments,
rather
than
the
cba.
O
O
O
We
are
working
quite
closely
with
a
growing
number
of
other
neighborhoods
to
improve
the
way
in
which
we
can
oppose
where
justified
or
support
we're
justified
issues
that
come
before
the
zba
and,
in
particular,
I'd
like
to
point
out
to
the
councillor
that
the
way
things
are
set
up.
It's
tough
enough
for
a
neighborhood
with
as
much
capability
and
resource
and
experience
as
the
back
bay
to
deal
with
these
issues.
It's
even
more
difficult
for
the
so-called
environmental
justice
communities.
O
J
Not
especially,
but
I
do
want
to
just
mentioned,
that
we
bpda
has
a
pretty
solid
track
record
of
opposing
electronic
signage,
but
one
of
the
things
that
this
sort
of
points
out
is
the
recommendations
that
well
we
make
that
u.s
city
councilors
make
the
mayor's
office
of
neighborhood
services,
make
don't
always
get
adhered
to
by
the
by
the
zba
they're,
an
independent
body.
They
make
their
own
decisions,
we
make
recommendations
and
they
are
free
to
accept
or
reject
those.
But
we
do
oppose
electronic
signage.
H
Is
a
lot
of
really
great
feedback
here
and
a
lot
of
stuff
for
us
to
consider
just
sort
of
on
the
operational
side,
but
from
a
policy
perspective
as
well?
I
think
you
know
take
this
home
and
continue
to
figure
out
ways
to
improve.
I
think
a
lot
of
it
is
a
difference
between
sort
of
what
the
content
of
the
code
is
versus.
A
Well,
one
if
I
may
lift
up
just
one
piece
of
it
that
I
think
we
should.
I
would
be
curious
to
hear
how
your
respective
agencies
are
thinking
about
it
as
we're
in
some
ways,
transitioning
through
the
pandemic,
but
still
very
much
in
the
midst
of
having
to
think
about
hybrid
and
virtual
public
conversations.
A
The
fact
that
it's
been
frustrating
from
many
angles,
I've
heard
from
neighborhoods
and
constituents
about
the
webinar
format.
Where
folks,
then
can't
access
chat,
can't
see.
Who
else
is
there
can't
see
who's
being
called
on
to
testify?
Sometimes
not
are
not
called
on
to
testify
at
all
and
can't
do
anything
about
it
as
we
are
moving
towards
some
mix
of
in
person,
but
retaining
some
hybrid
or
remote?
How
are
you
thinking
about
those
pieces
of
that
and
mitigating
the
feeling
of
being
completely
disempowered.
H
H
I
think
there
are
a
lot
of
great
features
to
the
virtual
hearings
that
need
to
be
maintained.
You
know,
presentations
on
screen
and
allowing
you
know
the
public
and
presenters
to
be
able
to
share.
You
know
images
and
renderings,
and
things
like
that
during
the
hearing
actually
makes
it
more
accessible,
there's
aspects
of
both
in-person
and
virtual
hearings
that
you
know
we'll
definitely
want
to
maintain.
I
think
it's
sort
of
just
we
figure
out
each
piece
and
how
it's
important.
J
Yeah
we
were
struggling
with
the
exact
same
thing
early
on
the
public
participation.
We
tried
to
reengage
with
folks
and
and
use
you
know
different
formats
trying
out
zoom
and
google
meets
and
and
some
others
you
know,
participation
was
low
and
people
were
very
frustrated,
but
over
time
it
picked
up
to
the
point
that
we
were
actually
getting
more
participation.
J
J
A
Great,
we
will
make
sure
to
follow
up
on
that,
and
it
certainly
wasn't
just
at
the
city
level.
I've
been
quite
frustrated
with
how
the
mbta
was
handling
their
their
meetings
as
well,
where,
before,
if
you
just
showed
up,
you
were
guaranteed
to
speak
and
and
now
it
was
dialing
a
number
and
they
would
choose
a
certain
representative
sample
of
voicemails
to
play,
etc.
So
thank
you
for
your
attention
to
that.
Counselor
edwards.
B
Thank
you
very
much
I
just
wanted.
I
think
I
wanted
to
address
a
lot
of
what
a
lot
of
neighborhood
individuals,
but
especially
several
folks
here
who
are
from
the
neighborhoods
that
I
represent,
so
I
I
think
what
they
have
not
gotten
and
what
they
rightfully
deserve
is
an
apology
on
my
on
me
from
me
on
behalf
of
the
chair
of
the
or
on
behalf
of
the
institution
of
the
zba.
You
are
owed
an
apology.
B
I
have
heard
many
times
about
the
way
people
have
felt
chewed
up
and
spit
out
by
coming
to
talk
about
their
homes,
the
future
and
changes
that
are
permanent
and,
and
while
you
may
not
get
everything
you
want
in
any
process,
we
are
adults.
We
understand
that
in
no
way
shape
or
form
should
a
process.
That's
funded
by
your
tax
dollars,
be
disrespectful
to
you
in
no
way
shape
or
form.
B
Should
you
feel
that
it
was
a
waste
of
time
or
that
you
don't
believe
in
government,
because
government
did
not
even
acknowledge
you
or
treat
you
with
the
dignity
that
you
deserve,
so
I'm
I
am.
I
am
apologizing
for
that
treatment
and
I
heard
it
from
tom's
testimony
because
of
that
it
has
made
our
body
as
a
city
council
to
look
less
effective
and
it's
making,
I
think,
the
belief
in
city
government
even
less.
B
It
looks
more
damaging.
So
first
I'll
acknowledge
that,
and
I
I
do
think
that
is
worth
in
the
trainings
that
do
come.
This
is
the
isd
chair.
This
is
to
be
pda,
but
as
the
trainings
do
come
up,
if
we
are
serious
about
access
and
we're
going
to
have
and
say
this-
that
we
want
to
keep
this
kind
of
hybrid
model
up
then
having
access
for
people
to
be
further
disrespected
isn't
good
having
access
where
people
feel
that
their
voices
matter
where
they
can
have
participation.
B
I
look
forward
to
the
day
when
the
projects
are
online
and
again,
as
we
noted
you
can
click
on
there
submit
your
email
be
given
the
notice
continually
about
the
deferment
in
the
morning
or
the
day
before,
so
that
you
are
not
taking
time
off
of
work.
I
look
forward
to
people
being
able
to
have
comments
on
the
projects
on
in
public
for
folks
to
see
that
well
in
advance
of
the
hearing.
B
B
Now
on
to
some
additional
components
of
the
executive
order,
the
variance
reports.
I
think
that
was
something
we
also
wanted-
was
collecting
data
on
the
variances.
I
think
nat
taylor
brought
up
some
data
points,
but
those
reports
by
neighborhood
and
a
breakdown
where
they
with
are
they
coming
out.
So
we
can
actually
have
an
understanding
how
many
variances
are
happening
in
east
boston
and
if
so,
what
kinds
of
variances-
and
so
you
know
I
have.
B
I
would
like
to
know
where
that,
where
that,
where
that
lives
and
where
that
process
is
going,
I
you
have
my
commitment
at
commissioner
english
to
get
you
some
language
to
work
with,
or
the
zoning
llc
sure
yeah
there's
also
some
written
policy
trainings
that
the
secretary
of
the
dba
was
supposed
to
do
as
well.
I
think
executives
said
if
she
considered
creation
of
any
written
policies
or
protocols
for
proceedings
in
decision
making.
B
By
that
I
mean
what's
the
standard
for
the
decision,
is
it
just
motion?
And
then
everyone
just
understands
by
tone:
it's
we're
going
to
go
with
this,
or
is
there
an
actual
like
motion
reconsideration,
there's
no
notes.
There's
no
scorecard,
like
you
have
with
the
boston
cannabis
board.
So
yeah.
Those
are
my.
Those
are
my
thoughts.
B
Those
are
my
concerns
and
I
did
want
to
acknowledge
that
I've
heard
from
many
people
from
various
different
neighborhoods
a
consistent
concern
about
the
treatment
when
they
say
take
the
time,
hours
of
their
day
off,
to
come
and
speak
and
be
told.
But
if
you
say
what
anyone
else
says
your
voice
doesn't
matter,
I
don't
think
that's
ever
a
response.
I
don't
think
that's
ever
anything.
A
government
official
or
someone
who
represents
a
part
of
our
city
government
should
ever
say
to
anybody.
B
H
I
couldn't
agree
more
say
on
the
quarterly
reports.
I
think
that's
something
that
was
included
in
the
home
rule,
not
the
executive
order,
so
we
sort
of
been
in
anticipation
of
that
hormone,
moving
forward,
laying
the
groundwork
to
be
able
to
do
that
more
on
an
automated
basis
right
now,
the
each
application
we
know
what
zone
and
code
violations
are
issued
by
our
department.
H
That's
that's
what
we
issue
and
then,
on
the
back
end,
it's
sort
of
incorporating
what
the
feedback
from
the
hearing
is
any
provisos
that
are
added
to
that,
so
that
right
now,
that's
it's
not
in
a
format.
That's
easily
uploadable
to
the
zba
tracker,
that's
kind
of
where
we
we
struggled
with
that.
I
know
we
want
to
put
way
more
information
up
on
the
tracker,
but
so
it's
it's
a
lot
of
back-end
technological
process,
but
in
progress
I
don't
have
a
definitive
timeline
on
that,
for
you.
D
H
So
the
policy
and
procedure
manual
is,
I
think,
in
its
final
stage
of
drafting,
to
be
adopted
by
the
board.
It's
currently
about
30
pages,
long
with
another
100
or
so
of
appendices.
That
will
be.
We
had
a
business
meeting
last
year
with
the
board.
I
think
that
was
over
the
summer
time
to
sort
of
discuss
this
and
it's
gone
for
some
iterations
and
on
its
actual
content.
H
I
think
it's
currently
scheduled
for
five
hours
to
cover
a
whole
host
of
these
topics,
but
including
that
sort
of
policy
and
procedure
manual,
in
addition
to
the
additional
ethics
training,
the
open
meeting
law
training,
the
zoning
principles
of
zoning
law
and
case
law
training.
All
of
that
sort
of
in
our
next
training
session.
That's
going
to
be
in
september.
A
A
P
Cool,
thank
you
one.
Second,
all
right,
thanks,
council
wu
and
councillor
edwards,
and
thank
you
to
the
other
counselors
for
sharing
your
thoughts,
lots
of
good
comments
there.
I
appreciate
the
testimony
of
everyone
speaking
at
the
meeting
now,
regardless
of
how
broken
or
not
broken
the
current
zba
process
is
that
that
doesn't
matter,
because
we
should
always
be
focused
on
how
we
can
improve
all
our
agencies
and
processes.
P
Good
enough
is
really
never
good
enough
for
our
city
and
its
residents.
Now.
Obviously,
the
zoning
code
needs
to
be
updated,
and
I
agree
that
variances
should
reflect
actual
hardships,
and
I
also
think
that
issues
surrounding
short-term
rentals
billboards
and
most
business
zoning
processes
should
not
be
dealt
with
at
the
zba,
but
but
for
now
I
choose
to
focus
on
what
I
find
most
concerned.
The
the
voice
of
the
community
is
not
adequately
represented
in
zba
processes.
P
Now,
how
do
we
fix
that?
First,
we
need
a
defined
community
process
for
projects
that
seek
building
permits
and
variances
from
first
notifying
residents
about
in
a
butters
meeting
all
the
way
through
seeking
community
support
and
attending
the
actual
hearing.
There
needs
to
be
formal
regulations
that
all
projects
must
abide
by.
This
is
a
simple
change
and
really
the
bare
minimum,
but
it
is
a
good
starting
point.
P
Secondly,
once
we've
defined
that
process
the
community
process,
we
need
to
educate
the
community
about
the
process.
This
is
simple
but
endlessly
important,
right,
presentations
to
community
organizations
recorded
webinars,
but
but
also
a
staff
geared
towards
offering
appropriate
customer
service
listening
to
people's
concerns
and
answering
their
questions
right
now
in
the
community,
there
is
often
a
sense
that
it
is
residents
versus
isd
residents
versus
the
zba
and
so
on.
P
It's
not
fair
to
anyone,
we
can
do
better
and
we
need
to
do
better.
Lastly,
it's
concerning
to
me
and
my
neighbors
that
the
zba
doesn't
adequately
represent
boston's
residents.
I
recommend
we
make
plans
to
move
away
from
a
centralized
zoning
board
and
move
towards
a
community-based
model.
Community
boards
could
be
created
based
on
city
council
districts,
for
example.
Membership
in
them
could
be
based
on
community
organizations,
civic
and
neighborhood
associations,
but
also
groups
that
advocate
for
affordable
housing
groups
that
advocate
for
tenants
rights
and
so
on.
P
This
will
allow
for
the
actual
voice
of
the
community
to
be
represented,
and
I
understand
that
this
would
make
the
process
of
approving
projects
complicated,
but
it
would
allow
for
actual
community
input
and
that's
what
we
need
for
boston.
We
need
actual
community
members
making
the
actual
decisions.
P
Q
Thank
you,
and
my
name
is
lydia
lowe
and
I'm
testifying
on
behalf
of
the
chinatown
community
land
trust
which
is
a
resident-led
organization
in
chinatown.
I'm
not.
I
don't
have
a
really
prepared
statement.
I
actually
totally
agree
with
everything
that
mike
sculpa
just
said,
but
I
just
wanted
to
offer
a
few
points
of
input
that
I
you
know
that
are
really
based
on
the
experience
and
a
lot
of
the
frustrations
that
chinatown
community
residents
and
property
owners
have
had
with
the
current
process.
Q
First,
the
hearing
process
is
completely
confusing
and
overwhelming
a
member
of
adco
very
aptly
called
it
a
chaotic
stream
of
consciousness
jumble
of
everything,
and
so
I
think
that
you
know
you
know.
Often
we
go.
You
know
we
go
to
these
hearings.
People
have
taken
off
work,
we're
trying
to
figure
out
how
to
do
translation
for
people
who
don't
understand
english
and
before
we
even
realize
that
our
case
is
up.
The
thing
is
gaveled
through
already
so
we
have
experienced
that
multiple
times
and
it's.
Q
Fourth,
applicants,
especially
for
forbidden
uses,
should
be
limited
in
the
number
of
deferments
that
they
can
use
to
wear
down
the
opposition.
It's
really
outrageous
that
residents
have
to
take
off
time
from
work,
arrange
from
child
care
for
child
care
and
go
to
hearing
after
hearing,
sometimes
two
three
four
five
times
only
to
find
out
at
the
last
minute
that
the
applicant
has
deferred
again
and
they
keep
doing
it
until.
Q
Finally,
there's
that
one
hearing
where
people
miss
it
and
then
it
gets
gaveled
through
and
finally,
I
really
agree
that
the
the
idea
that
the
track
record
of
a
business
or
developer
who's,
applying
for
any
kind
of
variance
or
any
kind
of
permit,
that
their
track
record
on
labor
law
violations,
failure
to
pay
taxes,
their
record
on
no
fault
evictions,
tenant
harassment
or
any
other
concerns
like
that
really
need
to
be
part
of
the
public
record.
That's
under
consideration
when
they're
applying
for
any
type
of
city
approval,
permit
variance
or
license.
Q
R
R
R
Also
in
my
neighborhood
there
have
been
five
article
80
projects
recently,
so
two
have
been
approved.
A
few
are
still
ongoing
and
electronic
billboard,
and
even
with
all
of
that
and
many
smaller
projects
as
well,
there
is
no
comprehensive
plan
for
the
napons
at
port
norfolk
area.
I
hear
about
plan
this
plan
this
all
around
the
city
where
the
community
has
evolved.
R
We
have
asked
the
bpda
for
a
comprehensive
plan
for
our
neighborhood
and
they
tell
us
no,
that
our
zoning
is
good,
so
we
should
keep
keep
just
using
that,
but
then
they
throw
out
the
zoning
and
do
whatever
they
want.
So
it's
just
not
fair.
Also
the
comment
about
zoom
and
in
person.
I
think
at
least
the
iag
meetings
can
be
started
to
go
back
into
in-person
or
a
combined
hybrid,
because
an
iag
meeting
needs
a
give
and
take
you
can't
just
have
two
minutes
of
testimony
and
then
it's
shut
off
now.
R
As
far
as
the
zba
is
confirmed,
I
I
just
want
to
you
know,
reaffirm
basically
what
everybody
else
just
said
that
the
lengths
of
defer
the
lengthy
deferrals
don't
work.
The
lack
of
communication
doesn't
work
between
the
mayor's
office,
especially
ons,
and
the
neighborhoods.
The
interpretation
of
the
code
isn't
working
forbidden
should
be
forbidden.
The
zba
should
not
be
functionally
rezoning.
The
city,
by
disregarding
the
code,
the
zba
and
bpda,
by
the
way,
approval
of
the
boston
bowl
electronic
billboard,
is
a
prime
example
of
what
can
go
wrong.
R
And
yes,
the
bpda
also
approved
this
billboard,
and
I
don't
know
why.
Now
as
far
as
what
is
happening
right
now
with
the
zba
I've
been
on.
At
least
I
want
to
confirm
what
the
woman
from
the
north
end
said.
I've
been
on
at
least
two
hearings
with
the
bpda,
where
she
did
not
allow
public
comment,
and
this
is
wrong
and
it
needs
to
be
corrected,
and
this
isn't
something
that
needs
a
huge
law
regulation
change
or
whatever.
R
This
is
just
wrong,
otherwise,
the
proponent,
the
component
can
make
untrue
and
misleading
statements
that
no
one
refutes,
no
one
is
able
to
refute
them,
and
that
is
what
happened
with
the
two
hearings
that
I
was
waiting
to
testify
along
with
multiple
neighbors,
and
we
just
were
not
allowed.
She
bangs
the
gavel
and
says
we're
going
to
go
right
to
the
vote.
So
something
needs
to
be
done
about
that
and
I
know
they're
busy
and
I
understand,
but
you
know
add
more
hearings.
R
If
you
have
to,
but
you
cannot
just
not
let
the
public
testify,
that's
that's.
Probably
I'm
assuming
that's
illegal.
The
written
testimony
you're,
never
sure
if
anyone
is
even
reading
that
I
hope
they
are
and
one
more
thing.
I
know
I'm
on
an
automated
list
for
bpda
public
hearings
for
conservation,
public
hearings.
Is
there
an
automated
email
list
for
the
hearings
of
the
zba?
R
A
S
Thank
you
michelle.
Thank
you,
lydia.
Thank
you,
city
councillors.
You
have
been
wonderful
when
we
have
expressed
our
frustration
at
what
is
going
on
at
the
at
the
zba
I'll,
give
two
specific
examples
in
a
simple
way
that
you
can
correct
it.
The
boston
bowl
is
one
of
what
will
be
a
plethora
of
applications.
S
S
S
The
second
issue
that
I've
been
very
involved
with
is
affordable,
housing
and
a
great
limitation
on
affordable
housing
has
been
made
by
allowing
executive
suites
to
rent
out
on
a
nightly
basis,
and
the
zba
should
not
have
ever
been
involved
in
allowing
the
change
from
residential,
which
we
desperately
need
to
executive
suite,
which
really
upsets
the
neighborhood
and
limits
affordable
housing.
I
thank
you
very
much
for
the
concentration
you've
had.
I
worry
a
little
bit
that
chris
english
can
get
away
with
saying.
S
S
He
just
says:
well,
this
is
a
tough
issue.
Well,
that's
not
what
was
requested
by
the
er
was
ordered
by
the
executive
order.
What
was
ordered
was
a
report
by
a
certain
date,
so
I
thank
you
all.
I
appreciate
the
hard
work
that
chris
puts
in
and
that
bpda
puts
in,
but
it
is
not
neighborhood
friendly
and
both
of
them
need
to
understand
that
we
care
about
our
neighborhoods.
S
Actually,
I'm
looking
out
right
now
from
my
window
at
one
dalton
and
30
dalton,
and
both
of
them
prevent
me
from
seeing
the
sky
now
that
doesn't
make
any
sense
whatsoever
for
a
project
that
some
developer
wants
to
do
for
their
financial
interest,
and
electronic
billboards
are
going
to
be
a
major
major
problem.
Just
as
executive
suites
were.
Thank
you
all
very
much,
and
the
hearing
was
terrific.
I
didn't
hear.
Hardly
anybody
say.
Oh,
this
is
a
system
which
is
working
because
it's
not
working
it's
broken.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you,
john.
So
I
see
one
other
person
with
the
hand
race
whose
name
on
zoom
is
just
listed
as
east
boston.
So
if
we
could
add
this
person
into
the
main
room
to
testify-
and
I
know
victor
had
wanted
to
save
his
comments
until
the
end,
so
then
we
can
go
to
victor
after
that,
and
I
will
just
put
in
a
word.
You
know
we
appreciate
the
administration
for
their
time
on
all
these
hearings
and
know
that
the
council
plays
an
important
role
in
accountability.
A
I
will
personally
vouch
for
chris
that
he's
always
deployed
to
the
thorniest
special
projects
all
across
the
city,
and
I
I
can
tick
off
a
number
of
them,
including
short-term
rentals
back
in
the
day.
So
you
know
often
folks
who
are
here
are
the
messenger
on
behalf
of
many
other
layout
layers
above
that
as
well.
Okay.
So
if
the
person
whose
name
is
east
boston,
would
you
like
to
testify?
And
if
you
could
please
identify
yourself.
T
Hi,
yes,
I
have
a
community
group
and
we're
just
listed
underneath
this
and
I
couldn't
change
it,
but
my
name
is
joni
dimarzo
from
435
frankfurt
street
in
east
boston,
and
I
just
wanted
to
say
like
with
the
zba
and
their
approvals.
It
seems
really
concerning
that
we'll
have
opposition
from
abutters
we'll
have
over
a
hundred
residents
of
east
boston
that
sign
petitions
that
are
in
opposition.
Sometimes
lydia
edwards
will
go
up
there.
Council,
lady
edwards,
will
say
she's
in
opposition
and
it
still
gets
approved.
T
Yet
something
like
somebody
wanting
to
extend
their
living
space
gets
denied
makes
it
seem
like
there's
a
hidden
agenda
that
profit
is
more
important
than
the
people,
the
the
accountability
for
the
zoning
board
to
be
responsible
for
violating
their
own
codes
and
article
7,
section
3.
It
says
the
board
of
appeal
shall
grant
a
variance
only
if
it
finds
that
all
of
the
following
conditions
are
met,
such
as
there
being
a
hardship.
I
had.
T
One
attorney
tell
me
that
oh,
there
is
no
hardship,
hardships,
don't
matter,
because
the
zba
approves
everything
and
it's
like
well.
What
are
we
doing
here?
Why
are
butters
even
asked
to
join
the
call?
I
had
the
chairwoman,
the
ambassador
put
me
on
mute
before
I
could
even
get
three
words
out.
It's
like
they
don't
even
want
to
hear
you
complain.
The
decision
has
already
been
made
and
if
it's
gonna
profit
the
city,
the
people
don't
matter,
and
it's
like
really
sad
people
are
being
displaced.
T
Families
are
leaving
from
the
burdens
of
these
over-developed
condos
they're,
only
being
built
for
the
rich
they're
one
bedroom
apartments
with
roof
decks
and
bike
racks,
because
there's
not
enough
space
for
all
the
parking
families
aren't
going
to
move
on
to
roof
decks
with
little
children.
Families
aren't
going
to
take
their
kids
to
soccer
practice
on
bikes,
and
it's
just
when
is
it
going
to
stop?
We
don't
have
all
the
time
in
the
world
and
by
the
time
that
you
guys
actually
figure
out
a
better
system,
we're
all
going
to
be
gone.
L
Now
I'm
unmuted
right,
okay!
Well,
thanks
for
letting
me
wait
until
the
end,
because
a
lot
of
the
issues
that
I
would
have
raised
have
been
raised.
So
I
think
what
I'll
do
is
is
focus
on
my
suggestion
for
a
cure
of
several
of
the
issues
which
I
will
mention
and
my
suggestion
is
rules
of
procedure
that
is
deferrals.
How
many
deferrals,
who
can
ask
for
deferrals
can?
Is
it
limited
only
to
the
proponent
shouldn't
objectors
be
entitled
to
ask
for
deferrals
that
should
be
covered
in
rules
of
procedure?
L
There
are
too
many
items
on
the
agenda,
which
is
why
a
lot
of
things
get
pushed
through
the
council.
Perhaps
the
isd
I
don't
know
who
would
take
the
responsibility
for
preparing
rules
of
procedure
should
say
there
can
only
be
x
number
of
items
on
an
agenda
and,
interestingly,
the
zba
website
explains
that
the
zba
members
get
paid
per
diem.
L
L
L
L
Finally,
I
want
to
pick
up
on
what
the
last
commenter
stated
about
the
zoning
code.
That
requires
more
than
just
hardship
and
and
that
that
it
for
a
variant-
and
I
would
like
to
remind
the
council-
although
the
council
knows
this,
but
also
the
public
in
general,
that
back
in
2005
15
years
ago,
the
superior
court
was
so
frustrated
with
getting
these
appeals
from
the
board
of
appeal
that
that
violated
the
zoning
code.
L
Well,
that
was
15
years
ago.
Just
now,
two
months
ago,
the
same
thing
reached
the
superior
court.
The
judge
in
this
case
didn't
go
into
the
detail
that
the
judge
in
the
van
bjorn
case
did.
But
the
judge
said
here.
The
decision
is
invalid
on
its
face.
That
is
the
decision
of
the
with
the
zba
and
cited
the
requirements
of
the
code,
which
say
that
the
provisions
of
this
code
would
deprive
the
appellant
of
the
reasonable
use
of
such
land
or
structure
in
order
to
support
variance.
You
have
to
show
that.
L
A
L
L
A
A
J
Yeah,
it's
all
I'll,
be
really
really
quick,
because
a
couple
people
brought
up
the
digital
sign,
embossed,
boston,
bowl
and
I
was
pretty.
I
was
pretty
sure
when
I
said
that
we
never.
You
know
we
always
oppose
electronic
signage,
so
that
sort
of
threw
me
for
a
loop
a
little
bit.
So
we
did
some
looking
and
in
fact
we
recommended
the
bpda
did
recommend
denial
without
without
prejudice
and
in
the
decision
zba's
decision.
J
It
said
the
sole
opposition
voiced
at
the
hearing
and
filed
with
the
board
was
the
bpda's.
So
I
think
we
we're
we're
maintaining
our
our
batting
average
here
with
opposing
those
things,
but
I
just
want
to
make
sure
we.
I
clarified
that,
because
I
think
some
folks
might
have
gotten
the
impression
that
bpda
had
supported
digital
signage
and-
and
we
don't.
A
Thank
you
for
being
here
as
well
all
right,
so
I
think
we
have
gone
through
everyone
who
patiently
stayed
for
public
testimony
and
really
appreciate
all
of
your
time.
This
will
conclude
our
hearing
on
docket.
Oh
dear,
I
keep
losing
my
page
here.
Okay
here
we
go.
This
will
conclude
our
hearing
on
docket
number
0372
order
for
a
hearing
on
the
zba
and
the
homeworld
petition
filed
by
the
city
council.
This
hearing
is
adjourned.