Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 16, 2022 Proposed Shirley Ave. mixed-use development causes concern with abutter By Barbara Taormina But Yin Li, whose property diA www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM n application to the City Council for a special permit to raze a building at 163 Shirley Ave. and replace it with a fi ve-story mixed-use building brought Revere’s struggle with housing into focus this week. Larry Simione, the lawyer representing the applicant and David Barsky the architect designing the project made the case to the council. The first fl oor of the plan calls for two large retail spaces while fl oors two to fi ve will have 32 studio and small one-bedroom units. Barsky, who has designed other new buildings on Shirley Avenue said the plan fi ts with the revitalization of the neighborhood. “Everyone has witnessed the WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net transformation going on Shirley Avenue,” said Barsky who emphasized that none of the units in the new building will have parking. “When you combine the need for housing together with the need for transportation, Shirley Avenue is within walking distance of the T, the zoning board saw the opportunity to increase density without impacting traffi c,” said Barksy. rectly abuts the property of the applicant, told the council the project would have a dramatic and negative impact om her home where she and her family have lived for 25 years. Li told the council she was worried about homes in the neighborhood losing their views, tenants in the upper fl oors of the proposed building looking down into her yard and invading the privacy of her children and senior family members. She also raised concerns about trash fl owing over into her backyard as well as potential noise and traffi c. Simione said the developer had conducted a shadow study to ensure that the new building would not block the sunlight from any existing buildings. He also said eff orts were being made, such as plans or a tall fence, to protect the abutter. Councillors questioned if the developer would be willing to reduce the height to four stories rather than fi ve. And that led to questions about why the city is allowing so many mixeduse projects with housing on upper fl oors to move forward. Councillor Dan Rizzo stressed he was not anti-development and he supported revitalization, but he said the city is issuing so many permits for housing without anything to support it. “It should not be that way,” said Rizzo adding none of the surrounding cities or towns were permitting the same level of housing with mixed use projects because the wanted to maintain the character of their communities. Councillor Richard Serino also questioned why every parcel of land in the city seemed to have housing squeezed onto it. But other councillors favored the project. “I’m old enough to remember when you couldn’t walk down Shirley Ave,” said Councillor Anthony Zambuto who added because of new development it was now the gateway to the beach. Council President Gerry Visconti said he would wait until the zoning subcommittee meeting on the project before making comments. However, he also said he valued what Ms. Li said. “It would be in your best interest to sit down with abutters and try to make it work,” Visconti told the applicant. We’re Back!! North Shore black Women’s Assoc. Annual mLK Luncheon Jan. 14 T he North Shore Black Women’s Association, Inc. is holding its annual Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon. Details: Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Anthony’s (105 Canal St., Malden, Mass.) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Chief Lester Baker, Framingham Police Department, Framingham, Mass. Honorees: Building Bridges Through Music, Inc., Lynn, Mass., and Eastern Middlesex Alcoholism Services, Inc., Malden, Mass. Tickets will not be sold at the door. To purchase tickets, please visit Eventbrite at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/the-28thannual-rev-dr-martin-lutherking-jr-memorial-luncheontickets-440919902297. There are limited seats with a capacity of 200 people. Tickets are $60/ per person. No walk-ins allowed! Please visit our website (www. nsbwa.org) or email nsbwainc@ gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there! A trusted family name combined with exceptional craftsmanship & professionalism. Call for a consultation & quote. 64 Years! • Vinyl Siding • Carpentry Work • Decks • Roofing • Replacement Windows • Free Estimates • Fully Licensed • Fully Insured
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