Head House Expansion Proposal Rejected by NEWRA

By Phil Orlandella

A severe thunderstorm was enough to keep numerous residents from attending NEWRA monthly meeting held at the Nazzaro Community Center.

Besides the usual committee reports, NEWRA’s agenda has three request items that required action votes.

The Association voted 18-4 against a proposal by Peter McGinnis who is seeking zoning relief to expand the rooftop head house into a residential unit with a roof deck increasing the height of the front of the building from 42 feet to about 52 feet at 44 North Bennet Street.

Apparently, the membership felt the applicant did not effectively notify abutters of his proposal and did not provide access to design plans for construction.

One abutter, Victor Archidiacono of 42 North Bennet Street, said he had very little information on the proposal which he claimed could affect the third floor of his property where his daughter lives.

He claimed he was considering building two windows on the third floor and increasing the height at 42 North Bennet Street would dampen his plans.

A request by Glen Taylor to change the legal occupancy at 162 Endicott Street to include the existing basement and the first floor duplex condominium unit was supported by a vote of 18-3.

The Association also supported a request by Fairmont Battery Wharf to extend its outdoor patio hours from 10pm to 11pm. The vote was 15-8 in favor.

NEWRA is planning its annual Summer Party in August at the Pilot House, 2 Atlantic Avenue. For detail log onto www.newra.org.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, July 14 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.