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ZBA grants variances for Lee Burbank Highway warehouse project with standard conditions
Summary
The Zoning Board approved variance relief for a multi‑lot consolidation and construction of a technology‑enabled warehouse on Lee Burbank Highway proposed by Revera Mass Owner LLC, subject to recording requirements and site‑plan approval; the applicant presented traffic reduction and tax revenue estimates.
The Revere City Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant variance relief requested by Revera Mass Owner LLC to consolidate multiple industrial parcels along Lee Burbank Highway and construct a modern, technology‑enabled warehouse on the larger parcel, subject to standard recording and site‑plan review conditions and a permit‑exercise deadline.
Attorney Nancy O'Neil represented the applicant and described the proposal to consolidate parcels (96, 100, 140, 186 and 186A Leiber/Lee Burbank Highway), demolish aging industrial structures and build a new industrial warehouse with associated parking and screening. O'Neil said the lots' irregular eight‑sided shape and narrow configuration make standard, conforming subdivision difficult and that the plan sought the minimum relief necessary to permit a safe, code‑compliant building with improved access for emergency vehicles.
O'Neil and the applicant's consultants presented anticipated public benefits including extensive site remediation and landscaping (over 100 new trees), consolidation of curb cuts, and reduced traffic. The applicant's engineer submitted a traffic estimate, cited in the application materials, that the project would result in roughly 335 fewer vehicle trips per day compared with current conditions. O'Neil also said the city can expect a conservative 60–70% increase in tax revenue from the site, estimating property tax revenue north of $400,000 per year.
Attorney Jerry D'Ambrosio, speaking in favor, called the proposal a ‘‘unicorn project’’ that would provide environmental cleanup, reduce congestion and raise tax revenue to support local needs. “We have an environmental cleanup, less congestion and then on top of it the tax base is gonna grow,” D'Ambrosio said.
The board approved the motion to grant the variance subject to standard conditions read into the record: the variance rights shall lapse if not exercised within three years per the Permit Extension Act (section 280 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024), the variance and plan must be recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds with recording numbers submitted to the city clerk and building inspector, and the applicant must obtain site‑plan review approval before applying for a building permit.
Roll‑call votes were yes from Mister Lemina, Mister Lopes, Mister O'Brien, Mister Pelton and Chairman Tucker, and the board announced the variance was granted subject to those conditions.
