The virtual meeting, held on December 7th, 2023, saw the public and the board members thoroughly discussing the appeal of lawyer Stephen Joseph, who sought to overturn the administrative officer’s decision denying access to an existing parking lot on W Street. Joseph further expressed his client’s willingness to develop the site in future, which was attached as a C variance to the application.

Residents and property owners, however, expressed their vehement opposition to the property’s use as a parking lot. They argued that such a development would not only be detrimental to the community’s interests but also fail to meet the historical standards of the neighborhood. One resident’s statement encapsulated the sentiment: “Everyone on our block has abided by those rules much to our chagrin often and had to spend money to abide by those rules.”

Adding to the public outcry, the Van Vorst Neighborhood Association and residents Cecilia Delion, Allison Navarro, and Eric Speck raised specific concerns about the proposed parking lot’s impact on the historic district, public parking spaces, drainage, and public safety. Navarro emphasized the historic standards applicable to the proposed development, and the potential danger posed by the parking lot.

The meeting also saw discussions about the legality of the parking lot and a proposed electric gate to permit community center visitors access. The lawyer argued that the parking lot was a legal use, but the issue lay with the lack of access due to denied curb cut. The board members, however, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a functional parking lot without a curb cut and the lack of evidence regarding the appeal and related materials. The case was ultimately tabled and the applicant was asked to re-notice the case for the new year due to the complexity and public interest in the matter.

In addition to the contested parking lot, the board also discussed an amendment to a minor site plan for a property on Bower Street, involving the demolition of old concrete block walls and their replacement due to structural instability. Despite concerns by a member of the public about the impact of the changes on the stability of neighboring properties, the board approved the amendment with variances.