North End Attorney Daniel Toscano.
All three requests before the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council monthly meeting received an 8-0 vote in favor of the applications.
The Council favored zoning relief changes to four North End buildings including 51-53 North Washington Street the site of the former Joe Tecce’s Restaurant for Michele Holdings, LLC.
Once the building is complete, all total 32 rental units will exist and a potential smaller restaurant.
The new owners are attempting to have some household and recycling storage area in some of the buildings but tenants for the most part will place out their trash in the normal way, three days per week.
The lot on Cooper Street has been cleaned and the dumpster has been removed. Currently the lot is being used for employees parking and it will be used for valet parking if a restaurant develops on North Washington Street.
The new owners told residents they are “Good Neighbors” and want to work with the neighborhood on things like snow removal, dirty sidewalks and curbs and proper trash placement. They plan to have a property manager on duty and available for any issues that could develop. Plaques will be placed on each building stating the company’s name and phone number.
Currently there are no plans to convert the apartments into condominiums. “The firm has made all the necessary neighborhood notifications,” said Attorney Daniel Toscano who represented Michele Holdings LLC.
The billboard on the top of the building will remain do to a long-term contract.
Also by a 8-0 vote the Council supported the Paul Revere Memorial House Association appeal for zoning relief to convert the existing residential property at 5-6 Lathrop Place; 19 & 29 North Square, Paul Revere House to accessory cultural use, renovate the courtyard and provide improved access as part of the expansion plans for the historical site.
Plans call for making the historical complex fully accessible, provide amenities for visitors, program space, public restrooms and expanded exhibits. The main entrance for visitors will remain on the North Square side of the house. The Association has made the neighborhood notifications.
In addition, the Council by another 8-0 vote supported Laz Parking renewal permit for 280-292 Commercial Street.
The parking lot is open seven days a week and consists of 69 open air parking spaces. The company made all the necessary neighborhood notifications and several residents attended the Council meeting in support of the renewal permit.
Sandy Russo, owner of LuLu’s Candy Shoppe, 61 Salem Street, as a courtesy, advised the Council that she has entered into a lease agreement with the land owner of 28 Parmenter Street to open a retail business at that location.
Apparently the space will be used for baking classes and parties for kids. No zoning relief or CV License is required so there was no Council vote needed.
“Russo has made all the necessary neighborhood notifications,” Said Attorney Daniel Toscano who represented the company.
The Boston Transportation Department has made arrangements to do a community walk through with NEWNC Residential Parking and Traffic Committee chaired by Ryan Kenny to evaluate the visitors parking space for use as residential spaces.
The Council Bylaws Committee will produce a recommendation for changes to the full Council for review this January.
Public Safety Committee chair David Marx gave an update of crime statistics and initiative by Boston Police including additional patrols.
NEWNC President Donna Freni and an active member of the Greenway Leadership Council reported that the Greenway Conservancy staff along with Work Inc. removed all of the dead trees and pruned the trees that hopefully will be saved following the Occupy Boston movement in Dewey Square. In addition, they have cleaned the area, deep raked the soil and added 36 pallets of organic sod in the Square.
Reportedly, the estimated damage resulting from the encampment will exceed $45,000.
Freni also reported that the unveiling of the Greenway Ice Chimes, a temporary interactive winter art exhibit on Rowes Wharf was well attended. Ice Chimes is part of Winter Lights on the Greenway and is expected to last through April.
The Greenway Conservancy held a Carousel project update meeting to discuss the progress of the new custom Carousel. The results and recommendations stemming from the public meeting are expected to be announced in the near future.
In the area of the Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion a New Year’s Eve event will be held there will be food trucks as well as “Lighthouse”, a temporary art installation combining color and light projections designed and created by GoodGood Studio and New American Public Art.
The next NEWNC monthly meeting will be held on Monday, January 9 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street. All residents are welcome to attend.