For the Record

Coronavirus Update: Due to public health concerns, the hearings that normally would be held on a week have been postponed or canceled due to the guidance of Mayor Martin Walsh and the order of Gov. Charlie Baker. Some meetings, however, have been moved to an online or teleconference format under the emergency order on the Open Meeting Law issued by Gov. Baker.

From the Oct. 1 Election Commission meeting, 3 p.m., online:

•Certification of Additional Early Voting Locations

From the Oct. 1, 10 a.m., City Council Committee on Government Operations Working Session: The Committee will hold a working session on Docket #0225, ordinance to create the Special Commission on Ending Family Homelessness. The Chair of the Committee is Councilor Lydia Edwards.  The Sponsor of the docket is Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George. This matter was sponsored by Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George and was referred to the Committee on January 29, 2020. 

From the Oct. 6 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, 9:30 a.m., online:

•126 Marlborough St., Back Bay. Applicant: Luxury 126 Marlborough, LLC. Purpose: Full Gut remodel per plans attached. All demo, interior and exterior work per plans. Erect egress and other staging as needed. No change in occupancy. No change in FAR.

•266 Newbury St., Back Bay. Applicant: Luishun Lau. Purpose: Change occupancy from one restaurant to two restaurants. Including take out services for first floor restaurant. Fire protection work for relocation of one horn strobe and one pull station.

•620 Newbury St., Back Bay. Applicant: Authorized License Stanhope Garage, Inc. by its President Simon B. Gottieb. Purpose: The Applicant seeks to continue to use the Premises as a fee paid public parking lot capacity twenty two (22) vehicles.

From the Oct. 6, 10 a.m.,Committee on Housing and Community Development Hearing: Order for FY20 Emergency Solutions Grant — COVID-19 Supplemental funds in the amount of $23,348,669. This matter was sponsored by Mayor Martin J. Walsh was referred to the Committee on June 24, 2020.  

From the Oct. 6 Licensed Premise Inspections hearing, 1 p.m., online:

•PETIT ROBERT, INC. D/B/A: PETIT ROBERT BISTRO, 480  COLUMBUS Ave., South End. 09/23/2020:   Premise operating 29 tables on outdoor patio/city approved only 9 tables in violation.

From the Oct. 6, 4 p.m., City Council Committee on Small Business and Workforce Development Virtual Hearing: The Committee will hold a virtual hearing regarding Permits for At-Home Entrepreneurs in the City of Boston. This matter was sponsored by Councilor Julia Mejia, and was referred to the Committee on September 16, 2020.

From the Oct. 6 South End Landmarks meeting, 5:30 p.m., online via Zoom (HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/84467548328):

Design Review Hearing

•4 Ringgold Street. Proposed work: At the rear façade shed dormer, create and modify openings and install new windows (amendment to Certificate of Design Approval). 

•131 Dartmouth Street. Proposed work: At the parking garage entrance, install internally-illuminated signage.  

•48 Union Park. Continued from the 8/04/2020 SELDC public hearing. Proposed work: At the stoop, replace pipe rail with decorative handrail. 

•570 Massachusetts Avenue. Proposed work: Install a gate at the garden level stairwell.

•1746-1752 Washington Street. Proposed work: Install a security gate and fence with intercom system. 

•702 Massachusetts Avenue. Proposed Work: At the stoop, install extension railings; at side elevation facing Harrison Avenue, demolish a portion of the brick retaining wall and repoint remaining wall. 

•95 Berkeley Street. Proposed work: Construct a roof deck at the two-story roof at the Chandler Street elevation

•7 Columbus Square. Proposed work: Construct a roof deck with hatch access.

•748 Tremont Street. Proposed work: Construct a roof deck accessed by the existing head house.

•145 Worcester Street. Proposed Work: Construct a roof deck with hatch access.

•17 Upton Street. Proposed work: At the front stoop install new railings; replace garden fence and balusters; at the roof, construct a roof deck and install HVAC condenser units.

Advisory Review

•1692 Washington Street. Proposed work: At the side elevation, temporarily remove a billboard to repoint brick joints and reinstall. 

Citizenship Fees to Increase

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is making significant changes to the naturalization application. Starting October 2, it is raising the cost of application from $725 to $1,200 and eliminating the fee waiver for most low-income residents. USCIS is also increasing the permanent residence (green card) application fee and implementing an asylum application fee, making the United States one of four countries to do so. The City of Boston and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) are encouraging eligible Boston immigrants to apply for citizenship before the October 2 fee increases. They can contact Project Citizenship at 617-694-5949 for free, high quality legal help with their application. 

Outdoor Dining Extension

The Mayor announced an extension of the Outdoor Dining Program beyond its original end date of October 31. Restaurants using private outdoor space can continue to do so for the duration of the public health emergency. And restaurants using public space on streets and sidewalks can continue until December 1. The City will also waive application fees for the use of outdoor propane heaters in dining areas. Restaurants will still need a permit from the Fire Department, and safety regulations around their use will remain in place. Restaurants can use electric heaters without a permit, as long as no cords are crossing sidewalks.

Free BPS Breakfast in South End/Fenway

Students who wish to get a free breakfast Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 am., have three sites to choose from in the South End and Fenway. This is the BPS initiative, but other organizations are also serving meals in the area as well.

•Blackstone Elementary School – 380 Shawmut Ave. (South End).

•Boston Chinese Evangelical Church, 120 Shawmut Ave. (Monday, Weds., and Friday only – South End).

•Boston Latin School – 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur (Fenway).

Reporting Workplace Safety Concerns

•Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. Attorney General Maura Healey has created resources for workers to report safety concerns during reopening. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311.

How to Report a Problem Property

Since taking office in 2014, Mayor Walsh has made fixing quality of life issues a priority in his administration. From investing in Public Works to making sure community policing is a staple in every neighborhood, we are making sure every neighborhood is clean, safe and a great place to live and work in. Unfortunately some properties in Boston need more help than others, and that’s why we are here. If you know of a property that fits one of the following criteria: multiple calls to 911, one that’s blighted or just a general concern, we encourage you to reach out to your neighborhood liaison.

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