Could it be? More parking and less big development for South Boston. Seems to good to be true but with new zoning regulations that were put into motion last month, our neighborhood good see just that. According to an article in the Boston Globe written by Andrew Ryan, the new regulations are an attempt to put some order back in place to a neighborhood that has been growing at a rapid pace and restore a sense of fairness to the development process. In other words, a decline in the high amount of variances granted by the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
The hopes of this process will eliminate all the shenanigans the Globe reported on a few months back with developers, civic associations and organized labor.
For residents, another bonus will be the fact that developers are now required to build two-thirds more off-street parking than before. Although according to the article, this new rule runs the exact opposite of the city planning model to reduce the amount of cars in hopes that people will walk, bike and use public transit.
Developers aren’t thrilled either. With the new parking requirements, building costs will go up and maybe slow down the construction projects.
So now what? Well, all eyes will be on the City of Boston’s Zoning Board to see if they follow through and deny requests for variances. The article goes on to say that Mayor Marty Walsh will work to enforce the new zoning.
The new rules apply only to development involving a major change. They do not apply to standard renovations.
So with potentially more parking and less development, what the heck will we complain about? Hmmm…we have a feeling we’ll find something.
Why is the East 1st diagonal parking the whole length of the new park near the port? I understand they want to give gaps in parking to make the park “beautiful” but its a 20-30 ft wide park next to a noise barrier wall. We need more parking! Especially with the mega complex going in across from The Galley!
The diagonal parking DOES give you more parking spaces! I think that was one of the wisest things they could have done. Also, the “mega complex” across from the Galley Diner will have its own parking.
Less development is a terrible thing. Am I a yuppy for saying Southie is a much nicer place due to all of the development over the past 10 years? I hope the improvements continue at a fast pace and arent hindered by more government zoning interference.
Less development is a terrible thing? Southie is a much nicer place due to all the development over the past ten years? You’re not from around here, are you? All that development has DESTROYED Southie. It’s priced the real estate out of reach for just about everyone but the rich, transient yuppies, and is gradually forcing out families.
There are precious few single family homes left, and those that haven’t been converted to multi unit condos probably will be sooner than later. Finding both residential and commercial parking is becoming something akin to the Hunger Games – and don’t even get me started bout Street cleaning and snow emergencies. The sense of community and family has been almostcompletely wiped out, and replaced by a frantic and selfish commuter society.
Oh but, there are trendly bars that sell grilled cheese sandwiches for $11 on W Broadway, so I guess that’s progress. Thanks but no thanks. I’d rather buy a raspberry-lime rickey from Brighams. Oh, wait…
Families are not being forced out. No one can force you out of a house you own. Older Southie families have been gradually and voluntarily leaving because they are being offered big money for their single family houses on lots large enough to support multiple units. Building multiple units increases supply and helps to push down prices, though supply has not kept up with demand. We need more housing to make housing affordable.
Frantic and selfish commuter society is a bit harsh. I strongly disagree with this characterization of Southie. Hard working young professionals starting their careers are coming to South Boston. They need places to live. The city is an expensive to raise a family, however many people start their careers living in the city and eventually move to the suburbs to start their families, but some of them stay (my family).
Finally, the thriving businesses are the ones that have customers. It is sad when your favorite places can’t make money and close. However, it closed because not enough people want to go there, that is just how the world works. Nostalga is a hell of a drug, but over the 10 years I’ve been here Southie seems safer and more vibrant today.
You can be forced out of a house you own if property values increase thus increasing property taxes so much that you are unable to pay them with social security or retirement funds
Thriving neighborhood businesses didn’t close because they didn’t have customers – they were forced out by exhorbitant rent increases I.e. Murphy’s Jewelry
I’m all for new development, but parking should be considered – you can only crowd so many people into a square foot
Not everyone wants to get started in the City and move to the suburbs
If you weren’t here 20+ years ago you have no idea what the community of Southie was when neighbors looked out for neighbors, drivers allowed other drivers to use the same small streets instead of barreling through and neighborhood businesses took care of the elderly and the poor – it’s something this generation has never seen and never will
This is no longer “Southie” – it’s now South Boston, another cold transient section of Boston populated with the me, me, me’s until they are priced out or bored and move to the next trendy section