Boston Council Hears Plea for One-Time Park Ordinance Exemption at Fenway Site

BOSTON — October 28, 2024 — Boston City Council leaves Fenway park ordinance exemption in committee after contentious hearing. Councilor Sharon Durkan, the lead sponsor of Docket 1197, urged colleagues to pass a one-time, site-specific exemption to the city's Park and Parkways Ordinance that would allow a 400-unit residential project — including 68 affordable apartments — to proceed at 2 Charles Gate West along the Emerald Necklace; the measure was approved by the BPDA board in July 2024. Interim Parks Commissioner Liza Meyer and Planning Department Deputy Chief Diana Fernandez-Ibo both testified in support of the amendment, saying the ordinance approach is preferable to a parcel-subdivision workaround the developer had considered. Fenway Civic Association President Tim Horn, Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Monty Brodick, and public commenter Frank O'Brien all pressed the council to add language closing a subdivision loophole before the vote, warning the amendment as written leaves the door open to future circumvention of parkway height restrictions. Chair Liz Breadon confirmed the item would not advance at the council's next session, with fewer than five full meetings remaining in the 2024 legislative term.