The Zoning Board of Appeal this week approved a plan by the owner of a parking lot on Cambridge Street in Charlestown to tear down a warehouse and create an expanded lot able to hold up to 431 cars of workers for a nearby employee.
The Owens family used to lease the lot to BPS, which stored about 100 buses there, but BPS moved the buses to other yards in Dorchester and Readville in June.
At a zoning-board hearing on Tuesday, the family's attorney, Stephen Miller, said the newly expanded lot would be used solely for parking by employees of particular employer. He declined to name the company or institution, except to say "it's one that doesn't own a business in Everett" - he was betting the board would understand which large employer there he meant.
The expanded lot will have new fencing, greenscaping and striping put in, he said, adding it will also be serviced by shuttle buses running between the lot and the leasing company's property.
Although the lot would not normally be open to the public, Miller said the Owenses would open it at night during snow emergencies as a place for local residents to park.
He added the Owenses no longer have any plans to erect a large billboard on the property.
The mayor's office and aides to City Councilor Lydia Edwards and state Rep. Dan Ryan supported the proposal. Nobody spoke against it.
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Comments
FFS
By Ari O
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 2:02pm
more parking = more cars
Almost like no one read the Globe last week. And we don't have enough housing. Plus, the T doesn't know where to put its bus fleet. But, yeah, great, moar parking!
As least we aren't stuck with it
By SwirlyGrrl
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 2:36pm
As many have noted here, parking lots are very easy to erase and build upon. Witness the "but my parking!!!" angst over the former lots by Forest Hills and in Fort Point.
Also note that this area is Most Likely to Go Underwater in a Storm - at least until they raise other bits in the area. That might have worked against development as housing. As things currently stand, it isn't a good idea to build anything here:
[img]https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/img/201...
https://www.boston.gov/departments/environment/cli...
Lies
By Parkwayne
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 3:36pm
"It isn't a good idea to build anything here"
I guess someone's never heard of a tidal bore generator. Geesh.
Never heard of it?
By SwirlyGrrl
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 3:58pm
LOL! Good plan.
Actually, the colonial Bostonians were way ahead of us - they had a tidal mill going in the area around North Station from a very early date.
The water went into a retention pond and ran out again to power a mill.
Incomplete map
By Will LaTulippe
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 5:15pm
Where's the arrow pointing to Moe's Tavern?
I think that's a good point.
By NewAlt
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 11:02pm
I think that's a good point. I want the curb back. I know people aren't stopping driving but let them park their cars out of sight. We need the space for people.
Whitings milk is making a
By anon
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 2:07pm
Whitings milk is making a comeback !
Was "it's one that doesn't
By anon
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 2:09pm
Was "it's one that doesn't own a business in Everett" code for "not the casino"?
What a set back for decongesting the Boston area.
By Lee
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 2:29pm
It’s literally right next to a subway and bus hub!!!!
Probably deliberate
By KellyJMF
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 4:51pm
Being near public transportation means they can use the same shuttle bus for employees who drive and those who T
Can we guess who the employer is?
By Gary C
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 3:19pm
I don't know that area well at all, so I'm out. Anyone else?
maybe
By another area mi...
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 5:57pm
one going up on 28 near lechmere? Lots of construction there
Partners Health?
By Friartuck
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 6:27pm
Seems as though any for profit biz would be making a big deal about this.
No
By cybah
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 6:45pm
Partners actually is trying to *discourage* car use and promote more "work from home"
Their new office is designed *NOT* to have their workforce there at all times, but to have hoteling spaces, where people come in a few days a week and people can work from home more.
The parking situation is no different. It's designed to allow for flexibility for the workforce at partners and their flexible schedule. The garage is also very flexible (go park in it one day, its all high tech)
Alot of money, planning, and energy went into planning that building and parking garage, I'd be *very* hard pressed to know they were looking to do this.
However, my guess would be a company in the Schrafft's center.
Ever been to their Assembly Row campus?
By SwirlyGrrl
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 6:58pm
They have far more parking than they need and allow members of the public to park and take the T for a very reasonable fee.
I've done that a number of times when I needed to get to the north of the city after work.
They also have some very nice undercover and secure bike parking for anyone who wants it - their workers have their own indoor cages and showers in the "hose out" levels of the building.
Encore?
By Rob
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 11:40pm
Encore?
Editorial review
By Parkwayne
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 3:37pm
I enjoyed the use of 'Owenses' in this post.
Dupe
By Parkwayne
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 3:37pm
deleted
Even a warehouse isn't as bad
By anon
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 4:25pm
Even a warehouse isn't as bad a land use as a giant car parking lot near a subway station. For people who won't even be riding the train.
This is only happening because the business in Everett was required to agree to move employee parking to another town. It doesn't serve any transportation purpose -- it's basically tossing your garbage over the fence.
Some will never get it
By anon
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 5:02pm
People drive cars to get where they want to go, despite what others say.
Yes, and
By SwirlyGrrl
Sat, 12/07/2019 - 9:22pm
The world shouldn't give them special privileges and make us all pay for their choices ... or make stupid planning decisions on their behalf.
That "nearby employee" has
By Car Show!
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 6:50pm
That "nearby employee" has got to be an equal opportunity employer.
Perhaps some sheltered bike parking would be appropriate.
Don't know if they're sheltered, but
By adamg
Fri, 12/06/2019 - 8:37pm
Yes, the parking lot will have bike racks.
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