JPNC Zoning Committee Approves Enclosure of Porches on Brookley Rd. New Porches on Lamartine Street

The Zoning Committee of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) met virtually on July 7 to discuss two proposals, both of which were approved by the committee.

The first was at 93 Brookley Road to enclose the three front porches, and the second was at 302 Lamartine St. to remove the existing decks in the front and the rear of the building and create new porches.

93 Brookley Road

The matter at 93 Brookley Road has also recently been heard by the Stonybrook Neighborhood Association (SNA), who voted not to oppose the project.

Royce Abel, a resident of 93 Brookley, presented the proposal on behalf of his and his neighbors’ units, as all three owners are looking to enclose their front porches.

He said the building was constructed around five years ago, and the master bedrooms are in the front of the building, right off of the covered front porches. He said that in addition to these porches, there are “very large back decks” that are used much more frequently.

 Abel said that enclosing the decks would provide storage space, as the building does not have a basement, as well as office or exercise space, depending on the unit. He added that it will provide additional security for the first floor unit as well by having that space enclosed.

Abel mentioned that the SNA has asked for a design feature in the form of a band that would allow for “breaking up that front face a bit” and provide more detail to the front of the building.

Committee member Michael Reiskind said that “I’m not usually partial to enclosed front porches,” adding that “if you need more space, I would say the rear would be a lot more acceptable to me.”

Abel said that with heavy use of the back decks and the fact that the front porches are connected to the master bedrooms, the back decks would not be a feasible solution.

“I’m concerned about the presentation here,” said committee member Kevin Moloiney. He said that when Googling the address, he found “four or five three deckers, all with front porches” on the street. “This is now to be turned into a box,” he said.

Others said they were in support of the proposal, and a letter of support from residents of Brookley Road was provided to the committee.

 The committee ultimately approved the proposal, and it will go before the full JPNC at its meeting later this month for a final vote.

302 Lamartine Street

Architect Beth Worell presented the proposal to demolish the existing decks at the front and rear of the single family home at 302 Lamartine St., as well as erect new porches.

Worell said that this is a “longtime existing porkchop lot,” and the homeowners had purchased the home in 2010. The existing decks are not covered and are also raised off the ground

The new front porch will come out a few feet farther than the existing deck, and will also feature a built-in bench and storage on the side elevation. A roof will be placed over the porch as well.

In the rear, the existing door will stay, and the new porch area will be covered as well. The new porch is smaller than the existing deck, but there will be an area for bike storage in the rear as well.

Worell said an abutters meeting was held, at which no neighbors expressed any opposition. She said there was “quite a bit of support” for the project. The committee also received two letters of support from abutters for the project.

The committee voted to approve this project, and it will go before the full JPNC at its meeting later this month for a final vote.

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