Neighbors raise sunlight and affordability concerns as council refers 78-unit Shirley Avenue proposal to zoning

A revised proposal for a five-story mixed-use building at 114 Shirley Avenue — now described by the applicant as 78 residential units and two commercial storefronts — was presented to the Revere City Council on June 23 and referred to the zoning subcommittee after residents raised concerns about scale, shading and affordability.

Why it matters: The project would substantially change the immediate neighborhood’s built form and housing supply; neighbors said the revised plan is larger than the version considered in April and includes only two affordable units, heightening worry about displacement and loss of sunlight.

What was presented: Joseph Cattogio, the applicant’s representative, told the council the current filing revises an earlier approved plan and adds property area that extends the project footprint. He said detailed plans have been submitted to the city and that the petitioner is prepared for a full presentation before the zoning subcommittee.

Resident concerns: Several nearby residents said the building’s size will block sunlight to adjacent apartments and homes and could worsen water runoff and wind on Shirley Avenue. Jan Dumas, who lives at 50 Walnut Avenue near the site, said the proposed six-story mass would “cut off sunlight to my apartment on the third floor” and objected to the proposal’s affordable-housing component: “There is only going to be two affordable units in this new … 78 unit building,” she said, urging more affordable units and a community meeting.

Developer and council response: Cattogio and council members said they remembered prior discussion of locating the public arts commission in the project and that commercial tenancy was not yet finalized. Councilor Novosowski said the additional lot acquisition explains the unit increase from the earlier filing and announced plans for a neighborhood meeting the week of July 14; he anticipated the item returning to the July zoning meeting after local outreach.

Action: The council formally referred the application for a special permit for 114 Shirley Avenue to the zoning subcommittee for further review and scheduled neighborhood outreach. Council statements directed the applicant to work with the ward councilor on community engagement and to bring detailed plans to the subcommittee.

Ending: Neighbors urged greater emphasis on affordable units and clearer mitigation for shading and stormwater prior to the zoning hearing; a neighborhood meeting was proposed for the week of July 14.