by Frank Schroth

Last night the Board of Appeals opened a hearing for a redevelopment of 475 Adams Street. Thomas O’Neill, owner of Success Real Estate, wants to move his office there from its current location on Randolph Avenue. Neighborhood residents argued it would add further traffic congestion and safety concerns to an area “under siege.”

The property in question was sold by Robert Jubinville whose office abuts the parcel. It is in a Residence C zone. However, as explained by Bob Sheffield, an attorney representing Mr. O’Neill, the property received a variance in 1962 that allowed for a medical office and residence. Sheffield said that the owner planned to maintain the historic quality of the building which would house the real estate office, another yet to be identified business, and a residence. There would be 11 parking spaces: 3 for the residence and 8 for the businesses. The other business, while not known, is expected to be a sole proprietorship such as an accountant or attorney according to Sheffield. Sheffield stated that such a use would result in a lower impact to the neighborhoodin terms of traffic than the preexisting medical office. He did not receive support for that position among those who spoke.

No one spoke in support of the change in use but several spoke in opposition. All voiced concerns that the development would increase traffic congestion, aggravate safety concerns, and change the complexion of the neighborhood. Jessica Sergi of Adams Street said that the proposal “would be substantially detrimental” to the area. She also identified a related development, the Blue Hills Bank going in across the street, saying, “we don’t know what traffic that bank will bring.” The upcoming opening of the bank coupled with proposal to change use of the doctor’s office along with recent changes Mr. Jubinville has made to his property led Carol Kearns to tell the board that “We are a neighborhood under siege.” She said Mr. Jubinville had taken out trees and was planning to blacktop the area. “We don’t want to see paradise paved,” she said. Removal of the trees erased an important buffer to the sounds and sights of the commercial area according to residents. They felt that this proposal coming on the heels of the addition of a new bank represented commercial encroachment on their neighborhood.

Mr. Sheffield argued that the redevelopment of the property would improve housing values and the area in general. Mr. O’Neill spoke briefly saying that “You could have me or you could have the Sons of Anarchy.” He said he was fully invested in the property and “could very well move in” to the residence.

Upon hearing the neighbors concerns (there were also several letters submitted in opposition that were consistent with comments made regarding traffic and safety) Mr. Sheffield recommended a continuance of the hearing to allow time to meet with the neighbors to review the proposal in detail and look for a common ground.

Mr. Hurley, who was chairing the meeting, reminded those present that the Board of Appeals is not a planning agency. They receive applications, hear evidence, and apply the law in ruling on those applications. He said that if they continued the hearing he could not guarantee that, should a consensus be reached with the neighbors, it would change the outcome. He did not give Success Real Estate much hope that it would have success here saying,”This does not meet the variance standards.” He expressed skepticism that the application would be approved under any circumstance as certain problems were “intractable.” That said, the board voted to continue the hearing until November 17th at 7:30.