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Zoning subcommittee recommends approval for 50-unit mixed-use at 114 Shirley Ave
Summary
On April 7 the Revere zoning subcommittee voted 4–1 to forward a favorable recommendation for a special permit to raise a nonconforming structure and build a five‑story, 50‑unit mixed‑use development at 114 Shirley Avenue, subject to Site Plan Review conditions.
The Revere zoning subcommittee on April 7 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the full city council for a special permit allowing the raising of an existing nonconforming structure and construction of a five‑story mixed‑use building at 114 Shirley Avenue. The developer amended an initial 52‑unit proposal to 50 units: 48 residential and two commercial units on the first floor. The subcommittee vote was recorded 4–1 in favor, with Councilor Jaramillo voting no.
Attorney Joseph Catoggio, representing the applicant, said the application was revised to reflect Site Plan Review recommendations and that the development team had accepted the items on Site Plan Review’s list. The project team included an architect and engineer, who answered questions on setbacks, landscaping and parking.
Engineer Rick Salvo of Engineering Alliance said the building footprint had been set back from the westerly property line (about 2½ feet in one area), allowing for some planting. The committee discussed Site Plan Review’s recommended perimeter fence and planting of evergreen buffers; Salvo said narrow planting strips could accommodate a row of arborvitae or similar shrubs. Committee members also raised the difficulty of planting street trees on Shirley Avenue because subterranean electrical conduits run under the sidewalk; the developer said planters or shallow‑root plantings might be used instead to avoid conflict with underground utilities.
On parking, the site plan shows nine off‑street spaces in the rear, including two handicap spaces; the applicant proposed designating two parallel rear spaces as Zipcar (car‑share) spaces, which would require power for electric vehicle charging. Councilor Novosalski asked whether retail tenants would have dedicated parking; the developer indicated the rear spaces were not guaranteed for all residents and that retail spaces were expected to be served by some of the off‑street stalls.
During the hearing Councilor Novosalski noted a developer offer to contribute $20,000 to the Revere Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Councilor Romero moved to include the $20,000 as a condition of the special permit; other councilors objected that doing so could set a precedent and that a voluntary offer need not be formalized as a condition. The motion to add the $20,000 to the special permit was withdrawn and the committee did not include it as a permit condition.
Members of the public and local developers described the project as part of a broader effort to revive Shirley Avenue; Lou McCrackis said the proposal was “another piece to the puzzle” for the neighborhood’s resurgence. The developer indicated willingness to work with the city’s arts advocates about one of the ground‑floor commercial spaces, but no formal commitment or lease arrangement was submitted at the hearing.
The zoning subcommittee accepted the Site Plan Review conditions and, on a roll call, voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the full city council. The item will next appear before the full council for final action.
