Zoning board splits 5-2, approves Roslindale project

Zoning Board of Appeal · Meeting of September 22, 2026

Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal splits 5-2 on a contested Roslindale infill project, with the chair in the minority. Working through nearly 30 cases in one sitting, the board approved a six-unit building at 86 Walworth Street over a 68-signature opposition petition and 22 letters against it; member Turner voted no, saying "I think the community process could be a lot better," and the chair agreed, though the motion carried. Elsewhere, the board unanimously granted South End Village Academy a conditional use permit to keep its kindergarten-through-second-grade school at 1511-1525 Washington Street open, despite Washington Harrison Neighborhood Association president Jonathan Alves asking for temporary relief instead of permanent.

Founding Head of School Cristina Lopez said 45 percent of the school's 80 students are children of color and 42 percent receive tuition assistance. The board also cleared large residential projects at 1702 Hyde Park Avenue (68 units), 1200 Soldiers Field Road (58 units) and 85 Parker Hill Avenue (103 units) without dissent.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 4,919 words

Source: the Zoning Board of Appeal meeting of September 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.