NEWRA Supports Occupancy Change

By Phil Orlandella

Two agenda items were voted on at the monthly meeting of the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA).

A request by Chris Young to extend the basement level in the rear of 3 Stillman Street lot line and to construct an addition on top of the basement creating additional housing was supported 35-0 by the Association. The applicant plans to renovate and modernize the existing building which has been destroyed by fire.

A request by Charlie and Carla Kim, new owners of 5 Jackson Avenue, to change the legal occupancy of the building from a two family dwelling to a one family dwelling was denied 22-15 by NEWRA.

They propose to erect a one-story addition with a private roof deck for themselves.

The building will be fully sprinklered and the height would not exceed 55 feet. The building currently exceeds Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and an elevator will be placed in the building.

The Kim family has met with abutters and with the exception of one, they supported the request.

Opposed to the project were the abutters at 3 Jackson Avenue Paul Kafasis and Maggie Steciuk for several reasons that directly impacted their property, they claimed in a major way, including light and view.

Updates and discussions also took place on Lewis Wharf and other North End Boston Redevelopment Authority projects, governed by the “Article 80” process which NEWRA claims limits the role of community input.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, June 9 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.