Thirty Allston residents gathered virtually for the monthly Allston Civic Association (ACA) meeting on Feb. 18 to discuss new development projects that will support the community, recognize one of their members retiring from the Boston Police Department, and welcome a new community partner.

Debbie Ho, Executive Director of Chinatown Main Streets, presented one of the development projects, a request for support from the ACA to help an adult day care center at a former church at 40 Braintree St. for senior citizens, disabled individuals and “sensory individuals with memory issues,” as Ho said, in the community. “It would be a multi-cultural daycare,” Ho explained.

“As folks start to age, a lot of folks need services like this.”

The facility would have certified nurses to provide six hours of care to 150 people in the community. ACA President Anthony D’Isidoro appreciated Ho’s early outreach and remarked that residents in the virtual chat are excited about a new facility that will support people aging in place.

Also at the meeting, D’Isidoro recognized member Sgt. Edward McMahon of the Boston Police Department District D-14 Community Service Office, who will retire from the department at the end of March. He then introduced attendees to Sgt. McMahon’s replacement, Brighton’s Sgt. Mark Kervin. Isidoro noted that the ACA is looking forward to working with Sgt. Kervin, who also thanked his predecessor, “Eddie’s a great mentor,” Sgt. Kervin said about his predecessor.

In other news, Fidaa Houjazy, owner of The Linden Superette at 101 Brighton Ave., sought an expanded liquor license.

“I’m requesting a full liquor license so I can provide a complete service to my customer,” Houjazy said. Additional alcohol products on sale would also help her keep the Superette open, she explained. This full liquor license would expand on the beer and wine license she and her husband obtained for the Superette three years ago.

D’Isidoro requested a diagram of how the Superette would be laid out with the expanded offerings. “Lately what’s been going on, they [businesses] get approved for a certain amount of shelf space, and then they [businesses] expand beyond that,” which the Liquor Licensing Board is trying to address. Houjazy explained the alcoholic beverages would be behind the counter, in a controlled area. She even invited D’Isidoro to stop by the Superette for a tour for an idea of her plans.

Also, Ryan Gazda of McDermott, Quilty & Miller LLP, provided the ACA with an update on the licenses for Atlas Hotel on 40 Western Ave. Gazda noted the liquor license was approved and the hotel is now seeking the entertainment license, which would allow it to host weddings and other special events. Gazda noted he will meet with the licensing board in March to request the entertainment license.

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Accompanying Gazda was Atlas Hotel general manager Arnaldo Almonte, who noted the hotel opened in the first week of February. “We’re extending invitations to the community… and we’re offering jobs to the neighborhood as well,” explained Almonte, as he aims to make the complex “the hospitality center” of the neighborhood.

Jo-Ann Barbour, Executive Director at Charlesview, Inc., offered to help Almonte find local residents who could fill the positions. Almonte notes the hiring is slow in the winter but “we’d like to invite some folks over for some job fairs” in the spring and summer.

Residents also presented two zoning projects to the ACA. First, John Woods and Ariel Blacklow informed the ACA that they sought an extension of a non-conforming use of 40-42 Ashford St. and a $2.5 million deep energy retrofit approach with new insulation, reducing fossil fuel energy use for the property. “If everything goes well, we’ll be pulling a building permit and start working around June,” explained Woods.

Afterwards, Sean Regan an attorney from Dalton & Feingold, spoke to represent the owners of 15 Chester St. who sought the legalization of an extended two-bedroom living space in the property’s basement. Regan noted, “the builder passed away prior to completing all of the filings… they never went back to the final inspections.” After a period of questioning from the community about the units, D’Isidoro noted the ACA will keep an eye on this project’s progress to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Additionally, D’Isidoro recognized member Sgt. Edward McMahon of the Boston Police Department District D-14 Community Service Office, who will retire from the department at the end of March. He then introduced attendees to Sgt. McMahon’s replacement, Brighton’s Sgt. Mark Kervin. Isidoro noted that the ACA is looking forward to working with Sgt. Kervin, who also thanked his predecessor, “Eddie’s a great mentor,” Sgt. Kervin said about his predecessor.

D’Isidoro also welcomed a Genesis Lara, assistant to the Executive Director at Allston Village Main Streets. Lara, a resident of Allston for five years, was previously the curator of Clean Yo Block, an initative that helped clean up neighborhood streets with a DJ cart. “I love being part of the community a lot and understanding the needs for this space and getting to know everyone,” remarked Lara. D’Isidoro noted the ACA is looking forward to working with her.

Learn more about the ACA at http://www.allstoncivicassociation.org/.