One of the key highlights was the board’s unanimous approval of a proposal concerning 43 Bing Street. The project, presented by attorney Lawrence Toara, involved converting existing office space back into residential units. The project aimed to create an additional unit and expand an existing one while maintaining the overall unit count. Architect Derek Bloom clarified that the proposal would not exacerbate existing non-conformities related to floor area ratio and parking. Notably, community support was confirmed through meetings with local associations, and no opposition was reported, facilitating the board’s decision to approve the proposal.

Another decision was the approval of a proposal on East Broadway, where the plan is to convert part of a dentist office space into a Pilates studio. Presented by Frankin Nienberg, the project will not alter the existing residential units in the multi-use building. This transition required clear delineation between the dental office, remaining on the first floor, and the new fitness studio, which will occupy the basement. Despite some feedback suggesting that plans could have been more detailed, the board moved forward with approval, noting the absence of community opposition and support from neighborhood associations.

The board also addressed a proposal at 5 to 7 Den Street, where the owner sought to remodel a kitchen and add a third-floor deck while managing parking through a curb cut for two new spaces. After deliberation, the board approved the project with a condition to limit the curb cut to one parking space, balancing the need for open space with parking demands. This decision was made after considering public testimony expressing concerns about potential car-sharing scenarios and idling car fumes affecting nearby homes.

In addition to these major cases, the board approved a smaller, yet important, proposal at two Michael Road. Applicant Leah Over sought to improve accessibility by adjusting the front door configuration, which would slightly encroach on the front yard due to the existing structure’s proximity to the street. Support from the Brighton Allston Improvement Association and the alignment with neighborhood setbacks facilitated the board’s unanimous approval.

Community input played a role throughout the meeting, with board members seeking public testimony to gauge local sentiment on the various proposals. Despite some concerns, particularly about parking and environmental impacts, the board successfully navigated these issues.