Zoning board denies modification that would cut parking and dwelling units at 163–165 Pine St.

The Governor's Board of Appeals on Aug. 19 denied a pair of special-permit requests from MHG 3 Fund LLC for 163–165 Pine Street after the board split 3–2, falling short of the four affirmative votes required to approve the changes. Attorney Christine Tree, representing the applicant, presented a revised parking plan and a proposed reduction in dwelling units from eight to seven.

The decision matters because the modification would have reduced on-site parking by one space (from 11 to 10 under the revised plan) and required recording an easement to formalize two “buddy” parking spaces that the petitioner says extend partly onto an abutter’s lot. Those changes, the petitioner argued, were the only feasible way to reconcile the approved plan with the site’s built conditions after an updated survey.

Attorney Christine Tree told the board that the petitioner “proposes to give up 1 of the dwelling units so that they will reduce from 8 to 7” and that the net result…