February 2012

Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Minutes February 28, 2012
Attendance: Karley Ausiello, David Baron, Red Burrows, Benjamin Day, Francesca Fordiani, Andrea Howley, Jessica Later, Cooper Renfro, Michael Reiskind, Arazeliz Reyes, Kenneth Sazama, Hyun Shin, Courtney Snegroff, Jesse White, Jeffrey Wiesner, Jospeph Wight
Other Attendees: Peter Shanley, JP Gazette; Ginny Greta, Nativity Prep; Annie Maroon, BU journalism student; Kieran Fitzgibbon, Curley School parent; Chris Helms, JP Patch; Valerie Frias, Councilor O’Malley’s office; John Wronsky, SJ, Nativity Prep School; Olu Ibrahim, Rep. Sanchez’s office; Jullieanne Doherty, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services; Heather Perez, Councilor Felix Arroyo’s office; Ron Hafer.
Meeting called to order at 7:06pm by Ben Day at Curtis Hall, Jamaica Plain I. JPNC Member Introductions : Members present introduced themselves. II. Additions to/subtractions from Agenda: None
III. Announcements: See attached Announcements incorporated herein, with the following additions: The scheduled groundbreaking for 227 Centre Street has been cancelled. Tuesday, March 6th is the Presidential primary election. The JPNDC will be doorknocking to talk to JP residents about challenges facing families in JP. They are looking for volunteers. Dates are March 10th, March 15th, March 24th and March 29th. Contact Kyle Robidoux at the JPNDC with questions. Monday, March 5th is the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit fundraiser, Jacob Wirth Restaurant 31-37 Stuart Street, Boston. Whose City? Redevelopment and Governance in Boston – presentation of research conducted using Jackson Square for case analysis, March 1, 7:30pm, 26 Trowbridge Street, Cambridge, MA.
IV. Approval of January minutes: Motion to approve January 31, 2012 minutes by Andrea Howley. Seconded by Michael Reiskind. Passed 10-0-3 (3 late).
V. Committee Reports:
a. Public Service: Michael Reiskind reported that the Committee met as usual on the 1st Tuesday of the month, 2/7/12. The Committee recommends approval of a 7-day common victualler licene with malt and wine with liquer and entertainment license for Grass Fed, KLK3 Inc., 605 Centre St. with 11pm closing. Grass Fed is mainly a burger bar located in the location of the former Bon Savor. Owner also owns Ten Tables and Ten 10 bar. No opposition from neighbors, petitioner Krista Kranyak leafleted. The Committee recommends approval with proviso that alcohol will be served with food only. Motion by Michael Reiskind to approve 7-day common victualler licene with malt and wine with liquer and entertainment license and 11pm closing with proviso that alcohol only be served with food for KLK3 Inc. dba Grass Fed. Second by Jesse White. Passed 12-0-1 (3 late). Reiskind further reported that the Committee discussed street cleaning issues and priorities for painting crosswalks in Forest Hills.
b. Parks & Open Space: Andrea Howley reported that planning for tree planting has started, unclear if it is permissible to use funding obtained for tree planting in business districts. Howley
JPNC Minutes, 2/28/12, pg. 2 reported the Committee discussed the possibility of applying to Boston Urban Forest Council for trees on the Arborway Hillside and at the site of the Pine Bank. Howley reported on park cleanups program, reported that the Committee will continue to work with Boston Shines. Dates are 4/27, 6/16, 8/25, 10/13 at 9:30 am, locations TBD. Howley extended thanks to all who donated tools, shirts, gloves, etc. Howley further reported that the Committee is creating a Facebook page and flier announcing park cleanup dates. She reported that the Committee also discussed progress on the traffic calmng sign in memory of Georgina Tynan and on possible grant opportunities
c. Housing & Development: Joseph Wight reported that the Committee met on 2/21/12 at the Bowditch School. Wight reported that bids were due on 2/15/12 for MBTA Parcel U and it is currently not known if there have been any bids. Wight reported that the plan for the Healthy Housing Guidelines is for the Zoning Committee to discuss at their next meeting. Wight reported that they are early in the process of creating commercial development guidelines and that the Committee expects a lengthy process of outreach and discussion regarding this. He reported that this Committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Bowditch School.
d. Zoning: David Baron reported that the Committee met 2/1 and 2/15 and that two matters were approved by the Executive Committee since the last JPNC meeting 1): 420 Pond St, Showa School, enclosed patio open space for housing, expanded cafeteria and expanded classrooms. Jamaica Hills Association did not oppose.    2): 9 Weld Avenue, change in occupancy form 1 family to 2 family w/childcare, subject to de-leading certificate. The Committee recommended approval subject to the owner continuing in process to obtain de-leading certificate.
Michael Reiskind reported on the following matters: 18 Catumet St., reconstruct single family house substantially destroyed by fire, has to come down for safety. Owner plans to move back into house, same height, same footprint, w/screening in porch and studio apartment. Reiskind reported that there had been some opposition from neighbors and compromises had been made with the Jamaica Hills Association. There were no attendees at the meeting in opposition. Motion to approve by Dave Baron, seconded by Red Burrows. Passed 16-0-0.
Reiskind reported on 21 Lamartine Street, new construction on a currently vacant lot, 4-unit condo, vacant a long time, near Centre Street, ajoins parking lot at JPNDC building at Centre/Wise/Lamartine. Plan to be owner-occupied by builder, specializes in green construction. LEED silver. 25 Lamartine neighbor in agreement. Some opposition from Nativity Prep. Concern is that people will park in their lot and that parking in restricted spaces will restrict visibility and be a hazard for their students. Reiskind reported that there will be one parking space for the builder/owner and that two of the other units have been pre-sold. Motion to approve by Dave Baron, seconded by Michael Reiskind. Discussion regarding density and transit-oriented development. Dave Baron noted that the neighboring property had been approved with fewer parking spaces than normally required because of proximity to Jackson Square station. Audience members from Nativity Prep spoke in opposition. Passed 8-4-4.
e. Ad Hoc Outreach/Communications: Ben Day reported that a meeting is scheduled for March 14th to discuss improvement to the website.
ben: hasn’t met, will meet. Scheduled for 3/14th, improvements.
JPNC Minutes, 2/28/12, pg. 3 f. Jackson Square Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC): Red Burrows reported that Ara Reyes will represent the JPNC to the Jackson CAC going forward and that the scheduled groundbreaking for 225 Centre Street has been cancelled.
g. Casey Overpass Working Advisory Group (WAG): No report. h. Community Planning Committee for the Arborway Yard (CPCAY): No report.
i. Centre/South Street Corridor CAC: No report j. Burnett/Washington/McBride Advisory Group: No report.
VI. New/Old Business:
a. Revision of election provisions in the By-Laws David Baron circulated proposed revisions to election provisions in the By-Laws as discussed in previous meeting: change to election timeline, and nomination papers now to be returned to chair of ombudsboard, rather than to chair of JPNC. Motion to approve by Red Burrows, seconded by Ara Reyes. Passed 15-0-1.
b. 161 South Huntington development and JPNC representative to IAG: Ben Day reported that the BRA is forming an IAG for the new development at 161 S. Huntington of 200 units of housing. Today was first meeting of the IAG. The Executive Committee elected Joseph Wight to represent the JPNC to the IAG. Michael Reiskind reported on the first meeting, which was an introduction of the members, the developer, Boston Residential Group, and the Article 80 process. Reiskind reported that they showed early drawings, planning between 190 and 200 rental units, mainly studios and 1-br, with a couple of 2-br. Will need zoning on exceeding FAR. Will need GPOD relief because the property backs on the Jamaicaway, and will also need BRA BOD approval. Reiskind reported that a 4-story wing and 5-story wing are planned, difference in height depending on grade. Bigger footprint and similar setback to current buildings. 190 parking spaces under building, 190-200 bike spaces. 13% affordable units on site – city’s required minimum. Plan is to demolish all the buildings currently on the site (currently Home for Little Wanderers).    Reiskind reported that the IAG meetings are open to the public and that GPOD, Parks Commission, Neighborhood Council will all be asked to approve of the project.
He further reported that affordable units will be targeted to 80-120% AMI. Motion to approve Joseph Wight as JPNC representative to IAG by David Baron, seconded by Red Burrows. Passed 16-0-0.
d. Curley School: Keiran Fitzgibbon addressed the Council re: the Boston Public School Budget. Fitzgibbon reported that the parents group was recently informed about budget cuts that they believe will disproportionately affect the Curley School. See handout “Statement of the Curley K8 SSC and SPC to the Boston School Committee” incorporated herein. Motion by Jesse White that the ad hoc Youth Committee and Chair write a letter in opposition to budget cuts, that the Executive Committee approve letter and that Youth Committee will follow up. Seconded by Red, who made friendly amendment to address letter to School Committee and our local elected officials. Accepted by White. Passed 16-0-0.
JPNC Minutes, 2/28/12, pg. 4 e. Resolution regarding closing of Bon Savor/immigration law: Ben Day reported that there had been an article in the Boston Globe Magazine regarding the closing of Bon Savor and proposed that the JPNC pass a resolution in support of the former owners, who had to close Bon Savor after being denied re-entry into the country following a visit to relatives. The JPNC has supported the owners in the past. It was noted that our Congressman has been involved in this, and that this is a federal matter and so outside the scope of the JPNC. It was decided that Michael Reiskind will draft an update on this to be posted to the JPNC website.
f. MBTA rate hikes and service cuts: public hearing report-back & resolutions: Ben Day reported that there had been a public meeting on 2/1/12 regarding proposed MBTA fare hikes, and service cuts. Red Burrows reported that the meeting had been well-attended and no one was in favor of fare hikes or service cuts. Ben Day proposed the JPNC pass a resolution in opposition to fare hikes and service cuts. Motion by Dave Baron to send a letter to the MBTA and elected officials, using language from draft resolution. Seconded by Cooper Renfro. Passed 16-0-0.
Motion to adjourn at 8:48pm by Francesca Fordiani, second by Ben Day. Respectfully submitted,
Francesca Fordiani Secretary
JPNC Minutes, 2/28/12, pg. 5
Announcements
Fri, Mar 2 – LAST DAY for youth ages 15-17 to register for Boston Youth Fund summer jobs program. Apply by phone at 617-635-HOPE (4673) or online at: http://bostonyouthzone.com/teenzone/employment/byf/summerprogram.asp
Thu, Mar 8 at 12:15PM – History of Jamaica Plain presentation by Michael Reiskind and Mary Smoyer at Old South Meeting House downtown, 310 Washington Street, 02108. $6 admission, free for OSMH members.