The meeting’s most pressing topic was the administrative amendment for a property on Monitor Street, case P2024-12. The attorney for the project explained that the amendment was necessary to correct an ordinance error in the original 2022 approval for a mixed-use building comprising 87 residential units, including five affordable units. The amendment did not alter the number of affordable units but adjusted their breakdown to match the appropriate ordinance. The revised breakdown included two studios, two one-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom unit, eliminating three-bedroom affordable units to comply with city code. The board confirmed that there were no public comments and subsequently approved the amendment without objection.

In addition to this, the board discussed a one-year extension request for a property on Garfield Avenue, case P2024 D143. This extension was necessary for the project to remain protected while awaiting updates on a redevelopment agreement. A resident raised concerns about ongoing issues related to excavation work near her property, citing cracks in her backyard and requesting further assessment before construction continued. The attorney assured the resident that her concerns would be communicated to the applicant’s office. The board closed the public session and approved the extension, with the understanding that the building department would address the resident’s issues.

Another item was the proposal for 369-377 Whiton Street, case P2024 D131, requesting a two-year extension. The applicant needed additional time to finalize financing and construction on overlapping projects, as the original approval had expired. The board recommended approval.

The meeting also included a discussion of a multifamily development project, characterized by its design inspired by traditional and industrial architecture in the surrounding district. The proposed building features a brick facade, large oversized aluminum windows, decorative arches on the top floor, and a masonry cornice on the ground floor. The board raised questions about the proximity of the building to the property line, waste management, and mechanical unit screening on the roof. Each floor would have a designated trash room, regularly emptied by building maintenance, with an additional room on the first floor for larger items.

Concerns about potential light pollution from headlights in the garage led to a discussion about a double-layer screen design to mitigate this issue. The board reviewed existing site conditions, currently occupied by a one-story industrial building, and discussed the variances sought for increased building height and coverage. The project aims to transform the site into a mixed-use multifamily development, with a green roof to manage stormwater as an offset to the increased coverage.

Next, the board transitioned to discuss a significant subdivision proposal for the Bell Fuse building site in the Tidewater Basin Redevelopment Plan area. The proposal aimed to subdivide the existing site into six additional lots for constructing five townhouses and a playground associated with a daycare in the Bell Fuse building. The project required variances related to minimum lot sizes and parking requirements, as the plan did not provide parking spaces for the townhouses, aligning with the historic district’s style.

The board heard testimony from various witnesses, including an engineer, who detailed the subdivision layout and proposed architecture. The engineer highlighted that the current site is predominantly impervious, with a green roof system proposed to manage stormwater, meeting municipal code requirements. The project plans to replace a surface parking lot with townhouses and a playground, with a green roof designed to reduce stormwater flows.

The meeting also addressed concerns about the practicality of a shared trash room for the townhouses. Board members expressed doubts about whether residents would use a shared facility instead of placing trash bags directly on the street. The dialogue suggested that the utility of the trash room could be reassessed to serve its intended purpose effectively.

Finally, the board discussed a major site plan for a property on Merit Street, focusing on integrating previously paved areas into the proposal and improving property access and safety. The new plan detailed the construction of a six-bay auto body shop, removing a previously proposed car wash component due to traffic concerns. The proposal included new sidewalks, landscaping, and a detailed safety plan for ingress and egress.