This month, Ross Field was more of a backburner issue, while the main focus of the East River Neighborhood Association (ERNA) meeting was on three housing applications, which members passed through.

The only pushback for all three housing developments was for lack of parking.

ERNA President Barbara Hamilton frequently asked Boston Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) Hyde Park Liaison Zoe Petty to introduce each speaker and the items moved fast and politely. Yet when Ross Field became the topic of discussion, one resident commented regarding noise disturbances, Petty took time to define what a noise disturbance was and who specifically should handle it.

But when it comes to neighbors’ attempts to grow their homes or business, the members of ERNA were supportive, if a little skeptical.

The biggest of the three applications was from the Jean-Jacques family, who said they want to add a unit to their home located the corner of Mercer and Tileston Streets. Gabrielle Jean-Jacques took the helm, saying she is a longtime resident of Hyde Park and a schoolteacher and BPS alum. She went over the intention of the project and showed slides of the expanded version. She said she wants to remain in her location as houses are increasing in value, and she and her husband, Alex, have two teen children who are growing and they all need more space. Apart from the main house, they have a detached garage and one driveway. The plan is to get rid of the garage and add an attached unit, and extra driveway. Alex Jean Jacques said he spoke with an architect who said they were zoning compliant with all their additions and renovations. Alex said because they are on a corner lot, the enlargement does not impact neighbors negatively. They are merely reconfiguring how the parcels are laid out in a way that does not disrupt the character of the neighborhood.

When members saw a 3-D model of the floor plans, a few people asked if there was another house being attached and if so, the concern was more cars. The Jean Jacques said no and added that Mercer Street is a dead-end road and in general he and his wife try to limit the number of cars to respect neighbors. Having another driveway is a way to contain the cars. Alex Jean Jacques said his extension will bring value to the neighborhood. Again, residents questioned the new addition as a separate house. At this point, the contractor for the Jean Jacques, named Dalton, intervened saying it was an in-law unit that is connected to the home.

The group supported the project when Petty took the second tally.

The smallest application was from Wind-Starr Payne who lives at 5 Linden Ave. and wants to expand his home by way of dormers. Payne said it would remain a single-family house, with the intent of creating more space for everyone, as currently, the roof is too sloped for habitation (without head bumping at least). Hamilton said that sounded reasonable, and Payne clarified again that no new tenants were moving in. The ERNA reached a positive consensus, and Petty said she would take the numbers of each vote to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

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The third application was for 797 River St. which includes a plot of land with a hair salon, nail salon and a residence. The request is for a nail school to be added to the hair salon. Presenting was Alexander Burke, who said the owners received a certificate of occupancy (CO) in 2019. In 2023, they added a nail salon on the left of the residence; the hair salon is on the right. Currently, they are looking for a conditional use permit for a nail school.

“Believe it or not, a nail school is considered a trade school,” Burke said. When asked where this location was in Hyde Park, Burke said it was between Tileston and Blake Streets. Hamilton said the big concern was parking. Burke said there was a huge parking lot, bus and train stops. ERNA member Patricia Odom asked for clarification on the parking for the nail students and later admitted she studied cosmetology. Burke said the back parking lot was for residents while the parking lot on the left side was for business owners and students.

Astrid, the business owner, said the hours of the nail school would be 8 a.m. to 8p.m. She apparently lightened the mood of the proposal by speaking more personally. She said this school was an opportunity to give people a chance to obtain a license. She said only 24 students would participate at a time. It’s a 100-hour course to complete at one’s own pace. Another concern was ventilation, and Astrid said that the training would not include use of acrylic, which is what causes the smell. She said a ventilation system was in place as it is required by the Board of Cosmetology.

Dan Asia wanted clarification on who owned the building since Astrid is the owner of the business, not the building.

Astrid said there is no nail school in the area and the intention is to just support people furthering their careers in Boston in a convenient location. The group supported the application.

The next ERNA meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9.