Boston Board of Appeal Denies East Boston Rear-Building Project Over Density and Parking

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston Board of Appeal denies East Boston mixed-use project amid community opposition and approves a flood-zone residential rehab. The board voted to deny a proposal to build a new residential building behind a historic two-family structure on Marginal Street in East Boston, with the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association voting 24 to 14 against the project and representatives from three city councilors' offices and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services all going on record in opposition, citing density, lack of parking, and a contemporary design they said did not fit the neighborhood. The board separately approved, unanimously, a revised six-unit addition at Saratoga Street after the applicant reduced the proposal from eight units, achieved a one-to-one parking ratio, and included a plan to lift an existing flood-zone unit above a new garage. A third case — conversion of a rehabilitated Victorian at 30 Mayfield Street to executive suites — failed when a motion to approve with basement bedrooms removed drew opposition from at least three members; one stated flatly, "If we don't have a consistent city policy, I don't understand what we're doing." A fourth case was denied without prejudice after the petitioner failed to appear more than three hours after the scheduled call time.