THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 Page 7 Suffolk Downs Launches 2026 Summer Series with Events at The Yard @ Beachmont Square and New Outdoor Community Space, The Amp Suffolk Downs’ Summer Series to feature free events from June to September, including live music, lawn games, oyster shucking, and more R EVERE — May 18, 2026 — Today, The HYM Investment Group LLC (“HYM”) announced its 2026 Summer Series at Suffolk Downs — an exciting lineup of community events running Thursday and Friday evenings from June through September. This year’s event series will feature ADU | FROM Page 1 Act. Massachusetts law now allows homeowners to build one ADU by right on singlefamily lots, up to 900 square feet. Cities and towns can still impose rules, such as limited parking and setback requirements. The state off ers grants for municipalities that need help drafting ADU ordinances through the Community One Stop for Growth program. Guarino-Sawaya is requesting the Planning & Community Development Department, Inspectional Services Department (ISD), Engineering Department, Conservation Commission, Fire Department and City Solicitor to review the ordinance and provide recommendations to strengthen local structural, dimensional and site design standards where permissible under state law. Guarino-Sawaya wants city offi cials to specifi cally examine building size, height, setbacks, lot coverage and overall scale of ADUs in relation to surrounding residential properties; detached ADU placement, building massing and preservation of usable open space on residential lots; drainage, stormwater runoff, floodplain impacts and resiliency concerns in coastal and low-lying areas; driveway expansions, curb cuts and excessive paved surface coverage; and utility and infrastructure capacity, including sewer, water and emergency vehicle access. According to Guarino-Sawaya, prior to the change in the state law, Revere received three applications for permits for ADUs and all three were denied. After the change, there new activities, partners, and locations, bringing events to both The Yard @ Beachmont Square and The Amp, Suff olk Downs’ new outdoor amphitheater and gathering space. Events will be held on select Thursday and Friday evenings; all are free and open to the public. were 58 applications, 54 of which were approved. Guarino-Sawaya combed through the records and found 32 ADUs were approved for single-family homes, 17 ADUs for twofamily houses, one ADU for a three-family residence and one ADU was detached. City records show 42 of the ADUs were basement conversions. “These are substantial changes and I believe it is our responsibility to look at the impacts and look at the long-term effects on our neighborhoods,” said Guarino-Sawaya. She stressed that the motion was not about eliminating ADUs. Guarino-Sawaya acknowledged ADUs provide residents with opportunities to create aff ordable housing and intergenerational housing. And it allows families to bolster their fi nances with rental income. But she also noted Revere is densely populated, overbuilt and overcrowded. “I think we are too congested to have houses on top of one another.” “We hear these things all the time. I think it’s appropriate to pause and see if additional guidelines are needed,” she said. “We owe it to the residents to monitor this situation.” Guarino-Sawaya said residents are complaining. She questioned the impact on infrastructure and noted ADUs are permitted without any requirements or agreements for mitigation. Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley had previously proposed a home rule petition that would exempt Revere from the state’s ADU guidelines. “I asked the city solicitor to give a legal opinion. I wanted us to be exempt,” explained Kelley. “But The Yard @ Beachmont Square will continue to serve as the hub of the Summer Series programming, hosting 10 events throughout the season. Programming at The Yard includes lawn game staples like Backyard Beer Olympics and Country Night Cornhole Tournaments, the creative Makers and the city solicitor said we could not pursue exemption.” Kelley went on to say that oversight should be consistent. She off ered a friendly amendment to Guarino-Sawaya’s motion, asking that the concerns raised for ADUs also be applied to any development project exceeding 30 units. “I think we need to scale back on how many permits are issued,” said Guarino-Sawaya. “This is something important that will be helpful to everybody.” Music workshops with Essem Art Studio, a Shucking Good Time oyster event with East Boston Oysters, a Putt Like a Pro Night with Birdie Golf, and a dog-friendly Pups, Pints and The Pointe evening featuring live music from The Pointe Band. The Amp at Suff olk Downs will host its fi rst live performance of the Summer Series on July 10, featuring Locust, a Winthrop-based band returning to Suffolk Downs. The Amp will host fi ve shows throughout the season, including a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ hisEVENTS | SEE Page 13
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