The proposal from Broadway 700 LLC to develop a 20-unit apartment building became a focal point of the meeting, drawing considerable attention and opposition from local residents. The application intended to replace an outdated building with a modern structure that meets current safety and accessibility standards. However, the project faced resistance from those living nearby. Jana Reyes and Ingred Reyes, residents of Malden Street, voiced their concerns about the impact on privacy and increased traffic. They argued that the apartment building’s scale did not align with the existing neighborhood, which primarily consists of single-family homes. Lori Carab, another local resident, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the proposed five-story construction would be incongruous with the area’s character and expressed doubts about compliance with zoning ordinances.

The meeting also illuminated ongoing parking woes exacerbated by the planned development. A sentiment among attendees was that parking in the area had already become challenging, particularly since the introduction of a bus lane on Broadway that restricted overnight parking. Residents like Adabola Balagan and Pedro Lopez shared personal anecdotes about the struggle for parking spaces, highlighting a issue that would only be compounded by the new development. Balagan suggested that if the project proceeded, the board should consider implementing resident-only parking to mitigate the strain.

These concerns did not go unnoticed by the board members, who acknowledged the validity of the residents’ issues. One member suggested that the developer could request the city to instate resident-only parking in the vicinity, although it was made clear that street parking regulations fall outside the board’s jurisdiction. Despite the developer’s assurance that the project would benefit the community by adding housing options, the board decided to defer its decision. The proposal will be revisited after further discussions with the developer to explore possible solutions for the residents’ concerns.

Aside from the Broadway proposal, the board also approved variances for a property on Washington Avenue LLC, which plans to demolish a condemned structure and construct a new two-family residence with an accessory dwelling unit. The attorney representing the applicant, Matt Graves, presented the project as a means to rejuvenate the blighted property, emphasizing improvements in safety and aesthetics. The board agreed unanimously, attaching conditions for timely action on the variance and requiring site plan review approval before construction can commence.

Another approval involved the Linta Hotel on Squire Road. The developer sought a variance to add a function room by constructing an additional floor at the rear of the under-construction hotel. The aim is to meet local demand for event spaces, accommodating community gatherings and potentially boosting the city’s revenue through taxes if a liquor license is obtained. The board found no opposition during the public hearing and granted the variance with standard conditions, including a one-year timeframe for exercising the rights and recording the variance with the county.

Additionally, the board approved a variance for a property on Page Street. The application, submitted by Katano Federa, requested permission to build a canopy over an existing patio. The board assessed concerns regarding rear yard coverage but ultimately approved the variance after confirming the structure would not alter the existing space.