Mattapan Station project set for July 31 hearing

The mixed-use project planned to bring new housing and vibrancy to a under-used MBTA parking lot in Mattapan Square has a date with the city’s Zoning Board next week.

A residential, commercial, and retail project will occupy the 2.57-acre lot by the Mattapan terminus of the high-speed trolley, developed through a partnership between Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and the Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation filed with the Boston Planning and Development Agency.

POAH and Nuestra Comunidad expect to build 135 units of mixed-income rental apartment housing in one building, along with 10,000 square feet of commercial/retail space, and a 2,000-square foot community room on the ground floor. A future second building would include nine homeownership units.

Half of all new units would be affordable to those earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. Included in the object are 50 parking spaces for MBTA commuters and up to 70 spaces for building residents.

The development team is asking that community members fill out a survey on what kinds of businesses they would like to see at the site and how expensive they think it should be. Some options include a sit-down restaurant, deli/coffee house, small non-profit office, small office/local businesses, but people can submit their own suggestions as well.

For context on the customers, this survey also asks how often respondents use the Mattapan High-Speed Trolley or other buses that service the station, if they live in the area, what times of day they often visit the site, and if they would be likely to use a variety of services if available at the station.

A Zoning Board of Appeal hearing is scheduled for July 31. The Mattapan Station development needs variances for multifamily dwelling use on the first floor and parking lot use, as well as a conditional use permit for multifamily dwelling use on the upper stories.

Residents who support the project can sign an online petition at its new website, where people can find information on the plans and timeline: mattapanstation.org


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