The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved plans to replace Kipo's, 106-108 Bunker Hill St. in Charlestown, with six apartments, but rejected plans to replace the office space above the Boston Bagel Company at East Broadway and L Street in South Boston with four condos.
In Charlestown, the one story Kipo's building will have two floors added to make room for four three-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. Plans show five parking spaces; the developer has also leased parking spaces in a lot on Terminal Street for a year just in case.
Residents generally spoke in favor. One did express concern about the lack of parking and the fact that the Terminal Street lot is a half mile away and the spaces will only definitely be available for a year, but another countered that he's never had a problem finding on-street parking in the area.
In contrast, residents more harshly complained about the proposal to convert two floors above the bagel place into two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom condos primarily because of parking issues - no parking was proposed. One resident said he's sick of people pulling into driveways to get takeout at the bagel place and the Starbucks across the street - although another did counter that residential units would generate less traffic than offices.
Opponents were joined by City Councilors Ed Flynn, Annissa Essaibi George and Michael Flaherty, whose aides voiced opposition as well. The mayor's office supported the proposal, although it did acknowledge the parking concern.
The board rejected the proposal without prejudice, which means the building's owner can file new plans without having to wait a year.