One homeowner's failed attempt for zoning relief

Brighton resident Mac Chinsomboon has left an interesting comment about his personal experiences applying for zoning variances for his home at 36 Shepard St and having his application denied. He has even posted his application and emails with the BRA at http://chinsomboon.com/omac/home/36shepard.pdf.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:42 PM

    What do the neighbors have to say. Are they for or against? Did he talk to the local pols? Honan did a lot of work on his house, maybe he could help him get a variance. We want families to stay in Brighton but make it difficult for them. How many houses in the area are illegal? Maybe our new councilor can help.
    John Thompson
    Brighton

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, my abutters and their abutters supported it. Those letters (12 of them) are not in the PDF link because there is personal contact info in some of them and without the permission of those that gave them to me, I have to respect their privacy (but I do have them and they were submitted at the hearings).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh and I should also add that I had support from Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) via a letter that Paul Holloway presented at the Jan 22 hearing, as well a support from City Councilor Ciommo's office (Peter W), again a letter of their support presented at that same hearing.

    Also, I need to criticize the Brighton Allston Improvement Association (BAIA) for not taking a stand and helping me with the ZBA/BRA hearings. At the Nov 2007 meeting, when I went to present my project to the BAIA, and also brought along all support letters, their vote was evenly “split” in that they did not hold a position. That non-position was also taken into consideration towards the ZBA/BRA vote. I imagine the message is that if a project cannot obtain the support of the local community board, how would a City board that has a wider berth, be able to override the locals? My question is: Who does the BAIA support if not the voice of the home owner and abutters? I admit, these folks on the BAIA board, do spend a lot of time and I could never do as much as they do as a volunteer, but really, who are they supporting if not the voice of the community? When I presented to the BAIA in Nov 2007, I felt like I was a kid presenting a proposal to my grandparents, asking for their approval.

    I really thought the BAIA was supposed to help, advise, lobby, encourage, our residents and business owners with their improvement projects. Is it an Improvement Association right? To implement renewable energy and conservation projects in their homes (and any other improvement projects that make sense)

    Disheartening and emotionally draining (and expensive)!

    I did create this to try to help:

    http://MassCleanEnergy.blogspot.com/


    How do we still be responsible citizens and try to do the right thing? Environmentally, socially, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:32 PM

    What idiocy! To deny a home owner an absolutely reasonable request to invest in his property and the neighborhood? To go through all these loops just to add a small extension? It's not like you are building a helicopter pad on your roof...good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous11:42 AM

    Do our local pols read this blog? If so, why do we not hear from them?
    John Thompson
    Brighton

    ReplyDelete
  6. Want to voice your support? Please do help, thank you.
    Letter you can print and mail to: (PDF
    letter
    , MS
    Word letter
    )
    Attn: Lorraine Bossi
    Brighton/Allston Improvement Board
    45-47 Brooksdale Rd
    Brighton, MA 02135
    Tel: 617-787-1299

    ReplyDelete
  7. The BRA is an entity accountable to no one other than themselves. I live in Oak Square and we had a similar experience although from the opposite side. One of the neighbors has proposed putting a condo building behind our single and two family homes: first a nine unit, 3 bedroom building and now a 5 unit 2 bedroom + den(!) building. Even with the BAIA's support to our opposition, and their taking a no support position the ZBA operated on their own. The abutters and neighbors, BAIA, BRA, DND, our city councilor and the Mayor's office all sent representatives to the zoning hearing, each time, to oppose the proposed building and support the owner/developer in building what was allowed: a multi-family building. No one wanted to deny him the opportunity to build what was allowed on the site by right. The BRA totally ignored the input and approved the variances needed for the project. The developer had retained a well connected zoning board attorney and an architect who sat on the board but recused himself for this case. We have appealed the decision and as a neighborhood group have been fighting a costly battle that we will have a decision shortly. It should not have to come to this. For the first time in the 20 years I have lived here, there are four families with kids in the Boston Public Schools lining on our street who are trying to stay in the neighborhood despite the pressures and obstacles. We liked the area for its mix but neighborhood feeling. This is just one more setback to change that, and my guess is if we loose this fight, these families will be soon be moving out and a couple more condos for a few more professional, temporary Bostonians will be gained. Although everyone has supported us informally, no one has done much to help us with our fight or to correct the inane, callous action of the Zoning Board. We have spent a lot of time, energy and money to prevent such an inappropriately scaled project, but it may be for nothing in the end. And another developer gets to use the ZBA for individual gain while the individuals among us pay the price.

    If anyone has suggestions on how to help - just let us know.

    mbl

    ReplyDelete
  8. The BRA is an entity accountable to no one other than themselves. I live in Oak Square and we had a similar experience although from the opposite side. One of the neighbors has proposed putting a condo building behind our single and two family homes: first a nine unit, 3 bedroom building and now a 5 unit 2 bedroom + den(!) building. Even with the BAIA's support to our opposition, and their taking a no support position the ZBA operated on their own. The abutters and neighbors, BAIA, BRA, DND, our city councilor and the Mayor's office all sent representatives to the zoning hearing, each time, to oppose the proposed building and support the owner/developer in building what was allowed: a multi-family building. No one wanted to deny him the opportunity to build what was allowed on the site by right. The BRA totally ignored the input and approved the variances needed for the project. The developer had retained a well connected zoning board attorney and an architect who sat on the board but recused himself for this case. We have appealed the decision and as a neighborhood group have been fighting a costly battle that we will have a decision shortly. It should not have to come to this. For the first time in the 20 years I have lived here, there are four families with kids in the Boston Public Schools lining on our street who are trying to stay in the neighborhood despite the pressures and obstacles. We liked the area for its mix but neighborhood feeling. This is just one more setback to change that, and my guess is if we loose this fight, these families will be soon be moving out and a couple more condos for a few more professional, temporary Bostonians will be gained. Although everyone has supported us informally, no one has done much to help us with our fight or to correct the inane, callous action of the Zoning Board. We have spent a lot of time, energy and money to prevent such an inappropriately scaled project, but it may be for nothing in the end. And another developer gets to use the ZBA for individual gain while the individuals among us pay the price.

    If anyone has suggestions on how to help - just let us know.

    mbl

    ReplyDelete