North End developer can’t catch break, 3+unit expansion denied

North End developer can’t catch break, 3+unit expansion denied

north_endIt’s tough to get anything built in this town, that’s for sure.

According to an article on the NorthEndWaterfront.com website, a local developer has proposed renovating his five-unit apartment building by dividing it into eight units, instead.

The North End / Waterfront Residents Association voted against the proposal, 23-21.

* adding micro apartments brings more trash, noise and traffic without additional space
* small units tend to attract college students and young professionals that rent “by the room” for limited periods of time
* transient renters don’t treat the neighborhood well
* the North End already has among the smallest-sized apartments in the City
* small units discourage families from staying in the City

Yikes. The reasoning, while factual, seems short-sighted. Adding units of housing can’t do anything but improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, in my opinion. Housing is so expensive and having small units would allow several people to move into the apartments who couldn’t afford to, otherwise.

I am not familiar with the specifics of the proposal so I can’t say for sure what’s happening, here.

The NEWRA vote is at odds with what the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) decided, earlier.

Both decisions are advisory; the Boston Zoning Board of Appeal will make final determination at a future meeting.

Related posts:

  1. Hooray! Landmark Center gets upgrade bid by developer
  2. 100 new units of housing on tap for Boston Medical Center & South End
  3. Local developer proposes Trader Joe’s for South End
  4. California ruling on affordable housing set asides may mean trouble in Boston
  5. Tourist loves the North End of Boston
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