Decision on Key Egleston Development Delayed — Again

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RODE Architects

Iffley Road elevation

Iffley Road elevation

RODE Architects

Iffley Road elevation

What began exactly a year ago on July 23, 2014 when the Egleston Square Neighborhood Association got a premier showing of the plans for the Economy Plumbing site is no closer to approval.

For the second time, the developers of 3200 Washington St. asked the Zoning Board of Appeals for deferment at its scheduled hearing on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of local developers Justin Iantosca and Dan Mangiacotti, Attorney Joe Hanley requested the deferral because "we are still finalizing the Article 80 Large Project Review application" for the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

The development team is now scheduled for the Zoning Board hearing on Tuesday, Sept 15.

Adjoining Property Key Part of Mix

Speaking with the Jamaica Plain News on Wednesday, the next day, 3200 Washington St. community liaison Rosy Gonzalez said that there has been an "extensive list of changes" as a result of the "extensive community process."

The changes she listed, however, were not new: number of units down to 76, number of parking spaces up to 41 and the height reduced by a top floor set-back.

"What is the development team finalizing?" she was asked.

Gonzalez said the development team is waiting for some indication about how 52 Montebello Road will be determined.

That adjoining property is a key piece of the puzzle. The developers hope to win the right to turn that property into affordably-priced apartments. A competing team envisions affordable condos there.

"There's not all that much more we can do" with 3200 Washington St, she said. "We need more information about 52 Montebello Road.  A lot of this rests on the outcome of 52 Montebello Road."

Jamaica Plain News asked about E+J Auto, a locally-owned repair garage that's now on the property slated for development.

"I'm glad you asked me that," Gonzalez said. " We've been getting complaints that we are evicting E+J Auto and that's not true," she said. Further, she said the 3200 Washington St. developers are "moving along and almost ready to close on a relocation property at 1891 Columbus Ave. [currently Roxbury Motors]. This should happen soon."

"We've been very proactive with E+J Auto," she said. "They're all set."

Activists Continue Pressure

The decision to put off seeking city approval comes as local residents, many of them young people, continue to push for maximum affordability at the site. It's seen as a bellwether for future Egleston developments. About 200 activists gathered at City Hall last week but officials wouldn't let them in, according to the Globe. Instead, a smaller meeting was reportedly set for later.

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