By Patrick McGroarty
News Editor

A local developer has proposed to build a three story, mixed-use building on a long-vacant lot on Savin Hill Avenue, prompting commercial and residential abutters to raise concerns about the proposed height of the project and the potential increase in traffic.

David Higgins, a developer who has completed several large residential projects in Clam Point, has an option to purchase the desolate lot between C.F. Donovans restaurant and the southeast expressway. The site has long been considered an eyesore by neighbors, and the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association is eager to see it developed. But association leaders said this week that they will defer to abutters' reservations about the current proposal.

"A lot of people from the community are anxious to see something happen there, but the abutters have some reasonable concerns," said Deirdre Habershaw, president of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association. " At this point we're all trying to negotiate something amongst ourselves so we can support a project that would be beneficial and not detrimental."

According to Higgins's lawyer, Jim Byrne, the current plan is to build six residential units on two floors above a first floor space divided into two commercial units. Along Savin Hill Avenue, the first floor storefront would hold a Greenhills Bakery, a second retail location for the popular Adams Village eatery. The development would also include six enclosed parking spaces, one for each residential unit. The parking would be accessible from an easement on Sydney Street that the property shares with C.F. Donovans.

Gail Hobin, whose family owns homes at 9 and 10 Sydney Street that abut the property, is concerned about traffic in and out of the development as well as increased parking on Sydney Street. She also has hesitations about allowing a zoning easement to build residential units two stories above the first floor commercial space.

"The height might be setting a precedent if other stores on Savin Hill Avenue ever want to build apartments above," said Hobin. "They would block the view for 9 Sydney Street, 10 Sydney Street. Of course, we do understand that in this time you usually need to have housing included with any storefront to make ends meet."

Hobin added that she was unlikely to endorse the proposal if it did not have the blessing of the Donovan family, who own C.F. Donovan's restaurant.

"Like everybody in the neighborhood, we don't like to see what that lot's come to but we don't think that this development is a right fit for this neighborhood," said Patrick Donovan. "We're for development, for neighborhood improvement, but we can't just support any project that comes down. This is a desired location and it seems like this one or nothing and I doubt that's the case."

Higgins has secured a 30-day extension on his option to buy the property, which he hopes will give him enough time to return to the civic association planning committee and reach an understanding with Donovan and other abutters. He does not want to buy without assurances that any zoning relief to add residential space would be approved.

"Mr. Higgins does not want to invest unless there is community support," said Byrne. "The level of profit margin is slim enough. It's a tough construction site."