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Board rejects four-story residential building near Maverick Square as too dense

2 Coppersmith Way rendering

Rendering by Context of existing building (l) and new proposal.

A couple hours after the Zoning Board of Appeal rejected a four-story, three-unit building on Paris Street in East Boston, it rejected another four-story, three-unit proposal by the same developer on Coppersmith Way near Maverick Square.

The board technically approved Joseph Trichilo's proposal for 2 Coppersmith Way by a 4-3 vote, but state law requires at least five votes for zoning projects, so the request failed. The board then voted to formally deny the proposal without prejudice, which means Trichilo can come back with a new proposal in less than a year.

Board member Hansy Better Barranza called for rejection because the building would just be too dense for the small site it's on. "It's maximizing completely the whole site, without consider of open space," she said. In addition to being just one foot away from a building to the rear, it would have a floor-area ratio of 3, compared to the 1 allowed, and would be 43 feet high, compared to the maximum of 30 feet allowed under its zoning.

Trichilo's attorney, Richard Lynds, however, argued that if any part of East Boston could support such a building, it's that spot, already one of the densest parts of the neighborhood. He said the building to the proposal's rear is a garage, not a residential unit and continued that the proposed building would right across the street from the waterfront commercial district, where 55-foot-high buildings are allowed. He added that the building would sit next to another residential building that is currently three stories but which an earlier zoning board approved for the addition of a fourth floor.

Board member Katie Whewell voted for the proposal. "It adds three units to the neighborhood," she said. "We need housing."

In addition to Whewell, board Chairwoman Sherry Dong and members Giovanni Valencia and David Aiken voted for the propsal. Barranza and Barranza and board members Raheem Shephard and Alan Langham voted against.

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Comments

I reject the ZBA as too dense.

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this particular developer appears to have failed to grease the right palms

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You'll be hearing from Howie Carr's lawyers, that's his schtick, accusing everyone in public service of being corrupt, all the time, regardless, even when it's their first day on the job, (ZBA isn't exactly a job, although I think they do get a stipend for spending one day every other week dealing with this stuff).

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Anybody know when Howie got radicalized? I miss "The Corrupt Midget" version of Howie Carr. He got on everyone's case.

Back to the subject:

I like the design of the rejected building. Very creative which is probably why it was rejected.

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I'm very much aware of Joseph Trichilo's style of conducting himself and his business. He's built numerous properties in and around my neighborhood and I can say that most people that have purchased from him or dealt with him can say he's the definition of a developer you do not want in your community. The quality of his work is far below the value of what you expect out of a high prices condo such as his. If you question him, he explodes with rage that you so dare suggest that. In neighborhood meetings, he along with his attorney are the most condescending, rudest people I have yet to come across. I hope with new city leadership, we can rid ourselves of these types of developers in our community.

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