Greeting, Introductions & Announcements.

The razing and replacement of 296 Shawmut Ave. (reviewed in our 5/1/02 meeting) has begun. The developer hopes to keep to the planned eight month schedule to completion.

Work has finally begun on the rehabilitation of 40 Dwight St. ESNA and many concerned citizens have long tried to work with the City to take action on this derelict property, which was the site of a fatal (illegal) rooming house fire nearly six years ago.

New restaurants are on the verge of opening in Eight Streets at the former sites of Le Gamin, Rave and Truc.

On The Park restaurant is potentially being sold to a new owner who has a Licensing Board review on Wednesday 13 August, 10:00 AM, City Hall, to transfer the beer/wine license and request permission to add 12 outdoor seats. The new owner has not contacted us as (very direct) abutters, but the Union Park NA has written to Licensing to oppose the outdoor seating aspect of the request.

Annual ESNA elections will be held at next month's meeting.

South End Neighborhood Coalition: No July meeting.

Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods: The July meeting centered around transportation concerns in Boston and touched on the Silver Line.

Police Report: There has been an increase in car vandalism and home break-ins in the South End.

Presentations on ZBA Issue: Mr. Tim Vontz has applied to Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) for a work permit to replace and enlarge his existing private roof deck at 28 Dwight St. While a variance from the Zoning Board (ZBA) is not typically required for roof decks, Mr. Vontz was directed to the ZBA by ISD and so made arrangements to visit with ESNA first.

Accompanied by his architect, Ms. Sara Hines, Mr. Vontz showed photos of the existing deck and architectural plans for the expanded proposed deck. The new deck would rest on steel beams which would run from bearing wall to bearing wall. The existing deck is 19' X 15' 6" and the proposed new deck would be 20' 3.5" X 29' 3". Mr. Vontz has a letter indicating that the Boston Landmarks Commission has inspected his property in comparison to the plans and found that the proposed new deck would not be visible from the street and thus is not a Landmarks' concern.

After the few questions there were had been answered, the Eight Streets Membership voted to not oppose the proposed new deck. A letter to that effect will be posted on 7 August with a CC to Mr. Vontz.