The Zoning Board of Appeal today rejected a proposal for a roughly 1,200-square-foot one-family house on a 715-square-foot lot at 181 E St. in South Boston, saying the proposal was just too large for the small lot and would require the elimination of one or maybe two on-street parking spaces for a curb cut for its proposed garage.
William Davis, who owns and lives at the neighboring 177 E St., sought several variances for his proposed three-story house, in which the first floor would consist mainly of a one-car garage.
Both the Boston Transportation Department and the BPDA opposed the proposal because it would require creation of a curb cut, eliminating one or two on-street parking spaces, essentially creating "a private parking space," which they said the city shouldn't be doing. The BPDA also expressed concern about whether the proposal would force the city to move a utility pole to make way for the curb cut.
Board member Eric Robinson, an architect, also expressed concern about the narrowness of the space between the proposed house and Davis's existing house, which has an exit door and several windows on that side. Davis's architect, Beth McDougal, however, said the space would be three feet, enough for the exit to keep working, and that several of the windows were along a stairway.
A direct neighbor to the rear did not specifically oppose the proposal, but raised questions about it. One nearby resident, however, supported the proposal, said Davis has been a good neighbor for a long time and that a small single-family house is nothing compared to what else has been going up in the neighborhood.
Board Chairwoman Christine Araujo did not let Davis's daughter, who lives in her father's house, speak before the vote; she and another resident angrily denounced the board before they wee cut off for the next hearing.