To the Editor:

I am writing in response to an article by Jim O'Sullivan entitled "Critics Cite Density and Process as Developing Concerns" (11/11/2004, page one). As the Dorchester coordinator in Mayor Menino's Office of Neighborhood Services, it was very disheartening to read such a one-sided summary of the zoning process in the City of Boston. Zoning issues come through our office on a daily basis, everything from a new deck, to a new house, to a new restaurant. The city has to look at each case individually and weigh the costs of the project vs. the community benefits. It is not a clear-cut process. If you had asked any developer in the city, they would have told you that it is a difficult process to navigate, and a process that puts a high premium on the community's involvement. The process allows the community to dictate much of the final outcome. The vast majority of the time, the Mayor's Office supports the neighborhood's opinion. However, in cases where there are competing civic associations, no association at all, or the abutter's opinion differs from the civic associations, the Mayor's Office has to make a decision based on what we believe will be the best result for the neighborhood. The members of the Zoning Board of Appeal are appointed by the Mayor, but they are chosen because they can be trusted to make responsible, educated decisions.

The insinuations in last week's article by some members of the community that the Mayor's Leading the Way campaign ignored zoning laws and community input is an offensive misrepresentation of the process. The Mayor's housing initiative came as a direct response from the community for the city to create housing on the vacant lots and abandoned houses throughout the neighborhood. If the City simply wanted to constantly build more housing to add to our numbers, we would allow basement units whenever they come in front of the board. We would not negotiate with developers, and ask them to reduce the scale of their projects because the community wants less density. Anyone who comes to the Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesdays in Room 801 would hear the Mayor's Office speak against basement apartments whenever they come to the board. They would also hear the Mayor's Office speak against units that are less than 700 square feet because we do not consider units that small to be quality living conditions. We do not and will not support housing simply for housing's sake. We take our obligation to support the best interests of the community very seriously, and it is not something we will waiver on.

While the Mayor and the city departments appreciate how much time was spent on PZAC, the rezoning for process for Dorchester, it has to be understood that PZAC is a guideline to be used when determining what should be built in an area, but it is not the final judgment. If it were, people would not be allowed to build decks on their houses or develop abandoned lots. Because the city has such a tight zoning code in place, it means that the majority of new building in the city has to come to the community for a variance. It means that the neighbors get a say in what will be built next door to them. It does not mean that anything that violates the code should not be allowed. On December 16 at 7 p.m. at the Murphy School, the city will be co-hosting a Development Forum with Phil Carver and the Dorchester Neighborhood Issues Forum. Representatives from the BRA, the Department of Neighborhood Development, Inspectional Services, and the Mayor's office will be present to explain how the zoning process works and answer questions. I hope all of those who are unclear on the specifics of the zoning process will be able to join us at what will be a very informative meeting.

The civic involvement in Dorchester is something to be envied by all residents of the City of Boston. The Mayor's office will continue to work with the residents of Dorchester on quality of life issues, such as transportation, cleanliness, and development. We look forward to continuing the partnership that has been forged between Mayor Menino and the residents of this city over the last 11 years. If there are any questions or concerns, the Mayor's office can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 617-635-4500.

Molly Dunford

Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services