By Lauren Bennett
The Jamaica Hills Association (JHA) met for their monthly meeting on April 10. JHA member Celeste Walker told the Gazette in an email that the proposed house at 1 Rockwood Terrace was the main point of discussion. She said that neighbors and abutters in attendance were concerned with the large size and the design of the house. The property site is mostly ledge, Walker said, which means drilling might be needed. She said that neighbors were worried about the effect of this on neighboring houses, as well as possible water run-off issues.
Walker said that the JHA board did not vote, but rather asked the builder to come back with a different plan that addresses these concerns. She also said that this went before the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Zoning Committee, where they committee asked the builder not to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals until the concerns were addressed.
Walker called this proposal “a continuing story,” saying “JHA zoning met with everyone again [Monday night] and we are waiting to see what they will do.”
Additionally, she said that the JHA board voted to send a letter to the BPDA regarding the 12 unit development at 98 Rockwood. The builders say they can build 12 units in 6 buildings as of right in a Conservation Protection Subdistrict, Walker said, and “the letter will reflect our approval that the buildings will be set back 170’ from Rockwood and our outline of the small project site review principles that we expect the BDPA to follow.” She added that vehicular access to the property is “still undetermined,” as they do not know whether it will be on Rockwood in JP or on Avon St. in Brookline.