Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 ZBA approves variances for apartment building on Nahant Avenue By Adam Swift A local developer won the approval of the Zoning Board of Appeals last week to move forward with the development of a fi ve-story, 38-unit apartment building at 13 Nahant Ave. “This project is about revitalizing a rundown property in the Shirley Avenue area,” said KariAnn Greene, the attorney representing developer Jamie Russo. “The current structure is vacant and derelict; it’s boarded up and it’s a blight in the neighborhood.” The current building is a safety issue, with a number of squatting issues and police calls to the location, said Greene. At a recent neighborhood meeting, Russo met with about 45 neighbors, Ward 2 City Councillor Ira Novoselsky, and the police and fi re chiefs. Greene said the majority of the neighbors were excited about the opportunity to clean up the property, and that Novoselsky and the city administration supports the project. “This project provides a fresh start for this property with a new, modern building,” said Greene. “The zoning relief requested is in line with others granted in this area, and the majority of units in this building are studios and one bedrooms.” Greene also noted that the project is targeted at young professionals interested in being near public transportation, and that there would be a deed restriction which would prohibit residents from getting on-street parking permits from the city. Novoselsky said the development team responded positively to the questions raised at the neighborhood meeting. “Out of the whole group, maybe two or three people were against it, but based on the majority of people who were there and the feedback I’ve gotten, I can’t go SPRING Go GREEN LANDSCAPING & CONSTRUCTION LLC Lawns Cut CLEANUPS CHEAP FREE Estimates and Fully Insured $100 (COUPON YOUR CHOICE * THESE SERVICES ONLY * LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER) NEW SPRING OR FALL FLOWERS * NEW SHRUBS * TREE REMOVAL OUTSIDE PAINTING * JUNK REMOVAL * SIMPLE HANDYMAN REPAIRS * COUPON IS REDEEMABLE FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Services include: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Fertilization * Mulching *Junk Removed * Aeration * New Shrubs/Trees * Demolition * Irrigation Systems * New Lawns/Sod/Seed * Dog Poop Scoping * Dethatching * Tree Removal * Masonry * Lawn Cutting * Stump Removal * Landscaping * Spring/Fall Clean Ups * Gutter Cleaning * Sealcoating * Pruning * New Fences SERVING THE NORTH SHORE 877-688-7667 The current condition of 13 Nahant Ave. (Courtesy Photos) A rendering of the proposed 38-unit apartment building at 13 Nahant Ave. against this,” said Novoselsky. “[Russo] does good work and he has built some nice buildings and has good tenants.” Revere Economic Development Director Robert O’Brien said the ZBA and the City of Revere have supported variances for similar projects in the area and from Russo. O’Brien said the city administration supported this project and another 45unit project proposed by Russo on Shirley Avenue. “Generally speaking, these two projects will provide 83 units of badly needed housing in the Shirley Avenue district,” said O’Brien. While not specifi cally opposed to Russo or his proposed developments, Lor Holmes of the Revere Housing Coalition said she has overall concerns about the lack of affordable housing in the city. “There have been 2,500 units of [new] market rate housing in the last few years, especially in Ward 2, meanwhile we have no requirements for aff ordable housing,” Holmes said. Of those 2,500 units, Holmes said, only 51 are deed-restricted affordable units. “Zoning needs to take into account Revere’s serious dearth of aff ordable housing,” Holmes said. While the zoning hearing only covered variance issues, O’Brien said he appreciates Holmes’ thoughtful and articulate advocacy on behalf of aff ordable housing. “In the Revere Master Plan, there is a need for affordable housing which [the City of Revere and Mayor Brian Arrigo] are working on studiously with The Neighborhood Developers and private developers, including Jamie Russo,” said O’Brien. “We don’t want to underestimate the points Lor Holmes made, and we are in agreement with her. We take seriously her points and we are seeking to address them in signifi cant ways.”
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