The Jamaica Plain project, championed by nonprofit CEO Walter Ramos and detailed by architect Philippe Sad, faced scrutiny over its reduced affordable housing units from 71 to 41 and adjustments to the building’s massing and materials. The project, which includes a memory care unit, has been redesigned to fit better with the neighborhood’s character while preserving significant trees and adding 50 parking spaces, 35 of which are underground. Sad emphasized the project’s evolution, incorporating outdoor terraces and secure courtyards designed for memory care residents, using landscape elements to provide boundaries without fences.

Discussion on the project was particularly animated around parking and traffic flow, a primary concern among local residents. Bill Peros, a long-time neighborhood resident, expressed concerns over parking availability, noting that while the redesign included 15 above-ground parking spots, existing challenges with double parking and narrow streets could be exacerbated by the proposed 41 additional apartments in phase one and a similar number in phase two. The planning team clarified that residents of the memory care facility typically do not have vehicles, and the affordable housing units are designed for individuals who might not own cars, relying instead on the neighborhood’s walkability and public transportation.

Despite these assurances, residents stressed the need for contingency plans for overflow parking during special occasions, such as family visits for holidays, potentially straining parking availability. The meeting was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm, providing an opportunity for informal discussions on the meeting’s hybrid format and operational aspects.

Another concern was the architectural design, especially the building’s entryway and its integration with the surrounding neighborhood. Commissioners and residents alike critiqued the current design iteration, describing the entrance as “awkward” and urging for a more inviting and clearly demarcated primary entry point. Suggestions included simplifying design elements like the arches at the building’s base, which some viewed as unnecessary and not blending well with the neighborhood aesthetic. Recommendations were made to replace these with flat tops, reserving arch designs for significant entry points to enhance the structure’s overall elegance.

Commissioners also raised concerns about the project’s interaction with the public realm, particularly the accessibility and design of the courtyard and park spaces. While these areas were confirmed to be open to the public, there were calls for clearer indications that these spaces are accessible and inviting.

In addition to the Jamaica Plain project, the board also discussed a proposed development near Fenway Park, focusing on its architectural design and public space considerations. Concerns were raised about the facade’s visual appeal and its interaction with views from the Massachusetts Turnpike. The board suggested revisiting the design to incorporate lighter panels above a brick base, echoing successful precedents like the House of Blues and the graffiti wall down the pike. There was a consensus that the building should balance its mass with lighter elements as it rises, avoiding a dominating presence that could detract from the character of Fenway Park.