Boston Zoning Board Approves Dozen-Plus Projects at Day-Long Hearing

BOSTON -- September 10, 2024, Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal approved more than a dozen housing and commercial cases at its September 10 all-day remote hearing, with the most contested vote approving a billboard replacement at 53 to 85 Canal Street 5-1 over the planning department's standing policy of recommending denial on all new billboard applications. Attorney Jeff Drago of Drago and Toscano represented New Tradition Media, arguing the proposal would replace a larger, metal-framed structure with a smaller 25-by-25 static wallscape and remove a rooftop billboard visible from the One Canal residential building; Jeff Hampton of the City of Boston Planning Department acknowledged the site cleanup but held to city policy against new signage. Housing approvals included a garage-to-ADU conversion at 13R North Avenue in Roxbury, a three-family new construction at 53 Burrell Street, an eight-unit mixed-use project at the former Exodus Bagels site at 336 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, and a two-story accessory dwelling unit at 250 Pond Street over one neighbor's objection. Multiple cases, including a contested seven-unit conversion at 27 Dudley Street, flagged for confusing floor plans by the planning department, were deferred to a heavily booked October 8 hearing date.