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Neighbors tell board single‑family homes preferable to previously proposed parking garage
Summary
Several nearby residents told the planning board they prefer the applicant's single‑family plan to an earlier parking garage proposal, while urging the board to ensure drainage, buffering and emergency access are protected. Public comments were generally supportive but raised flooding and traffic concerns.
During the rezoning hearing for 1300 South Atlantic, multiple neighbors spoke in support of a lower‑intensity residential outcome rather than a previously proposed parking garage. Gayla Leslie, who lives across the street, told the board she received certified notice and said the plan "looks good" so far.
Richard Flanagan, who said he lives and works on the corner and operates Boston's Fish House, urged the board to choose uses that fit the block: "it's definitely residential," Flanagan said, and he supported the applicant's smaller‑scale proposal. Several commenters emphasized the site's beach egress function and asked the board to consider traffic, emergency access and drainage; Sue Trask warned that replacing open space with houses could increase flooding and called for careful stormwater review.
Although public comment favored replacing the vacant, long‑unused commercial parcel with homes rather than a large commercial garage, the board split on policy questions and ultimately did not recommend approval of the comp plan amendment or the rezoning.
