Boston ZBA grants seven development extensions as financing woes persist

BOSTON — January 23, 2024 — Boston Zoning Board approves seven extension requests as high construction costs delay development across the city. The board voted unanimously on six of seven extension cases at its January 23 hearing, with member Aiken casting the lone dissenting vote against reinstating already-expired relief at 117 Coral Ridge Street, approved 5-1. Among the largest projects extended was a 22-story, 115-unit tower at 150 Neyland Street, represented by attorney Don Weiss of Dane Torpy on behalf of Hudson Group, which also carries a commitment to co-develop 20 affordable units at 19 Oxford Place in Chinatown with the Chinese Economic Development Council; Weiss told the board that "money has gotten very expensive for construction loans throughout the course of the past year." The board also unanimously corrected the address on a November 2023 liquor store approval at Winter Street after the landlord identified the listing as incorrect, with attorney Mike Corey of Madoff and Corey calling it a minor modification to the prior order.