BOSTON – This week, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code related to adult entertainment in the area of Chinatown, Downtown Boston, and Bay Village. Essentially, the goal of the amendment is to change adult entertainment from an “allowed use” to “conditional use”, and require a full community process and hearing at the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) moving forward. Separately, Councilor Flynn also sent a letter to Kairos Shen, Chief of Planning for the City of Boston, respectfully requesting the Planning Department’s help to ensure that the people of Chinatown and communities of color are treated with respect, and that they have a voice in what takes place in their neighborhood.

In the 1960s, the term “Combat Zone” was given to an area for Chinatown and Downtown Boston, which primarily included Washington Street, Boylston Street, and Kneeland Street. At present, only a few adult entertainment venues remain. However, under current zoning, proponents are potentially not required to undergo a full community process seeking variances from the neighborhood, and at a subsequent hearing at the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA), other than for the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District (GCOD).

That was the case this past June, when a change of use at 27-29 Stuart Street appeared before the ZBA and the application was only required to have a hearing regarding GCOD, with no public testimony. At that time, Councilor Flynn sent a letter to the Zoning Board requesting a deferral of this case to allow for a public process and an opportunity for neighbors in Downtown Boston, Chinatown, and Bay Village to offer feedback on this nearby project.

“In my opinion, this text amendment should have been addressed decades ago. But with ongoing concerns regarding public process, public safety, and quality of life from neighbors, it’s critical that all establishments go through a thorough community process moving forward,” said Councilor Flynn. “I continue to believe that residents who live in a community- and in this case, my constituents in Chinatown, Downtown Boston, and the Bay Village – deserve a voice in what takes place there.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].

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