NIMBYism to the Nth Degree: Thankfully Overruled!

Back Bay Sun
Viewpoint: Big deal on Newbury Street by Sue Prindle


You may not have heard about the proposal for the former Ritz Garage on the Arlington-Berkeley block of Newbury Street. It may not seem like such a big deal, really—just a demolition of a notably unattractive building, to be replaced by an office building only ten feet taller than what is there now. Compared to the 500’ towers that are being proposed in other parts of town, that’s not much.
But it is a big deal. And this is why.

In 1980, Newbury Street was rezoned to a height of 65’. (Before that, the height limit had been 90’, which is why you will see some taller buildings.) The reason the zoning height was reduced there and in the residential district was to provide sunlight and scale and openness to the sidewalks and the surrounding buildings—all the components that make up a pleasant living—and walking and sitting and shopping--environment. Sidewalk cafes sprang up like mushrooms. Pedestrian traffic on a sunny Saturday afternoon...well, you’ve seen it. Real estate prices on the street have gone through the roof.

Now comes Newbury Garage Associates, who feel that their new building should be 20’ higher than the legal 65 foot height. (20/65 = almost a third higher, if my math is correct.) There is no hardship that would justify such a huge variance—they just want it. The garage building they own, though architecturally undistinguished, is not in disrepair. In fact, it is still open and functioning.

Unfortunately, the BRA, our city’s planning agency, would like to see it approved.
This would be the first significant height variance allowed in the Back Bay Historic District in over 25 years. If it is granted, you can count on it setting off a chain reaction that will be hard to stop. Because developers always wants more space. More space equals more money. And if you don’t live here, the loss of sunlight and air and scale, the skyrocketing prices caused by speculation, and the disruption caused by constant construction don’t really bother you.

But for many of us who do live here, it does matter. It matters a lot.