Statement of Concern
Statement of Concern
During the summer of 2022, this statement of concern was circulated and signed by more than one hundred Dorchester residents. The project description below is no longer accurate as Trinity Financial has changed the number of units and plans no parking onsite.
STATEMENT OF CONCERN
ABOUT DEVELOPMENT
FITZPATRICK BROS. 150 CENTRE STREET, DORCHESTER
(Ward 17, Precinct 6)
I agree with the abutters of the Fitzpatrick Bros. business, 150 Centre St., Dorchester, MA, in their concerns.
Developers have submitted a letter of intent to the Boston Planning and Development Agency detailing their proposal to construct 74 units, with 39 parking spaces.
I oppose this proposal for the following reasons:
Increased Density: The proposed 74 units are more than nine times the current city of Boston zoning for this property’s area, which is currently zoned for single- or two-family residential buildings, totaling no more than eight units. The abutting properties are owner-occupied single-family or small multi-family houses that were built more than a century ago, in an architectural style similar to that of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Increased traffic: The neighborhood streets, especially Allston Street and Centre Street, are far too busy. Parked cars limit visibility and recent winters have seen restricted access due to high snowbanks. Changes to lifestyle due to the pandemic has seen an increase in delivery traffic from Amazon, FedEx, GrubHub, and others. Safety has been compromised as emergency vehicles have difficulty passing through the area.
Limited parking spaces: The neighborhood is already experiencing congestion from increase in housing and commuters who park near the Shawmut station. While this proposed development aims to attract residents who will use the MBTA, those potential residents have the freedom, as do the rest of Boston residents, to own a vehicle and obtain a residential parking permit (as required). Increased traffic and cars on tight streets will result in an increase in noise and congestion at all times of the day and night.
Open Space: The scope and size of the proposed conversion does not allow sufficient open space or preservation of established trees and gardens.
Melville Avenue/Wellesley Park Design Overlay District: Fitzpatrick Bros. is located within this district which was “established to protect the historic character, existing scale, and quality of the pedestrian environment of these neighborhoods. While development of housing within these Neighborhood Design Districts is encouraged, new construction or rehabilitation that preserves and complements the character of the existing housing stock will enhance the historic quality of these neighborhoods.” (Section 65-32, Boston Zoning Code). The proposed construction violates this regulation.