West Roxbury Neighborhood Council

Meeting Minutes - November 23, 2004

 

Boston Police Commissioner  Kathleen M. O’Toole

Commissioner O’Toole gave a general talk about policing policies and her experiences since becoming Commissioner.   She emphasized her belief in community policing.  It is important that the police and community work together to make the area safe and try to prevent crimes.

Some events that have occurred since Commissioner O’Toole has taken her post are the Democratic Convention and the Red Sox winning the World Series.  The Commissioner was happy to report that during the DNC there where only six protesters arrested.  She attributed this to a strong, but non-confrontational police presence.   

Unfortunately, in the lead up to the World Series an Emerson College student was killed by police as the police tried to contain students celebrating near Kenmore Square.  The student killed was not reported to have been doing anything wrong.  She was hit by a pepper gas pellet, fire by a gun, similar to a paint ball gun.  The gun and pepper spray pellets were being used because they were thought to be a non-lethal means of crowd control.  The Commissioner was saddened by the death.  The entire incident is still under investigation to determine exactly what happen and why.  The pepper spray guns are no longer a part of the police arsenal. 

Committee Reports

Zoning

The following items where discussed at the November 17, 2004 meeting of the Zoning Sub-Committee.

11 Gloria Road Proposal to add a two-story addition in rear. FAR and rear yard relief required. No opposition.  The Sub-Committee recommended approval.

A motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.

115 Theodore Parker Road:  Proposal to enlarge dormer in front. FAR relief required. Minimal relief required. The Sub-Committee recommended approval.

A motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.

1 Petrel Street:  Proposal to erect single-family dwelling. Lot size in sufficient by over 1000 sq. ft. as well as lot frontage and lot width.  The Sub-Committee recommended disapproval.

A motion to recommend disapproval passed unanimously.

77 Stratford Street:  Proposal to conduct a nine-week exam school tutoring program for a fee in a Church facility. In support of the relief requested, the proponents offer the beneficial nature and limited duration of the proposed program, as well as the existence of an extensive and aggressive traffic and parking management program. Opponents cite concerns relating to the introduction of a business use to church property, as well as resisting increases in like non-residential activity in residential setting. The Sub-Committee recommended approval subject to the limitations of relief to current user, and the present size and duration of program.

A number of people in the audience spoke for and against the proposal.  Everyone spoke favorably about the purpose of the program.  However, those in opposition complained they were inconvenienced by the extra traffic and cars parking.  They said that this for-profit program was a business and was not appropriate for their residential neighborhood. Those in favor liked the program and lived far enough away that they were not bothered by the increased traffic or felt the traffic problems where outweighed by the benefits of the program.  Arguments in favor of the relief request were that a short term program would have difficulty finding a commercial location and that the current location is safer for students waking to the church.

A motion to recommend approval subject to the limitations of relief to current user and the present size, 145 students, and current duration, nine weeks once a year, passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance:

Jerry Carlson, Kathleen Colby, Joe Conran, Larry Costello, Judy Settana, Tony Saroufim, Bill Smith, Steve Smith, Don Torok

 

 (Minutes prepared by Don Torok)

The West Roxbury Neighborhood Council meets the 4^th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Area E Police Station.  The public is encouraged to attend.  These and prior West Roxbury Neighborhood Council minutes are available on the Internet at  http://members.aol.com/lcostello/wrnc/