Marc Federico wants to extend multi-family housing down Hyde Park Avenue.

He came to the May 19 Jamaica Plain Housing Committee (JPHC) meeting with his plans for a six-story, 55-unit apartment house at 247 Hyde Park Ave., next to Prestige Motors. Federico’s Attorney George Morancy explained the new Boston Planning Department “listening phase” requirements.

“We’re currently in the outreach stage before filing,” he said. “We’re open to suggestions. Taking the comments back.”

Morancy said the Planning Department has assigned Lucia Pena Banda as project manager and also said his client had already contacted the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association (FHNA) and the owner of Prestige Motors and Peter’s Auto Body next door.

“They’re in favor of new housing” Morancy said of Prestige.

Federico started the “listening” on April 12 when he approached the FHNA; he sent the group plans and elevations by his architect, Michael McKay.

Rosa Herrero, of RH Design and Planning, told The Bulletin the next day the group preferred a survey rather than a meeting, and one was sent out to their list serv.

Herrero provided the plans and elevations to The Bulletin.

Federico and his brother Joseph of construction firm Fed. Corp. are no strangers to Jamaica Plain, beginning with 99-101 Williams St. in 2022. Joseph is also trying to develop 19 Kenton Rd., but has been stymied by the successful landmark designation last year of the pre-Civil War farmhouse he planned to replace. The project was petitioned by the Stonybrook Neighborhood Association, which is now frustrated that Federico has delayed in restarting his project.

Acquired by the MBTA in January 1973, 247 Hyde Park Ave. was an eminent-domain-taking originally for development of I-95. The original plan for the highway was for it to run through the city of Boston, but that was redesigned due to community opposition. Federico signed a lease for the 18,500-square-foot parcel as a land swap with an MBTA lot for 24 Factory Street in Hyde Park, which was too close to the railroad right-of-way.

For a nominal sum, Federico acquired 247 Hyde Park Ave. with a “non-inclusive easement 20 feet wide” at the rear of lot parallel with the railroad.

McKay’s building is an undistinguished box with various raised sections of beige, brown and light brown façade materials of hardy plank, fiber cement and cedar mill clapboard. The first floor is reserved for 23 parking spaces accessed from the rear, along with utility and fitness rooms.

There will be 10 affordable units of the 55 total.

After the 20-minute presentation, the floor was opened for comment. Apparently the matter of the revised affordable agreement for 3326 Washington Street was still on peoples’ minds.

Council member Lorenzo Bartoloni was among those who wanted to make certain Federico made a “good faith effort for more affordability,” he said.

“It’s relatively early,” Bartoloni continued, “but the affordability requirement is important. We want it more than [the city required] 17 percent.”

This was a first for Bartoloni – from Union Ave – who had not spoken in his two years on the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC); he was recently reelected with 68 votes.

Housing committee member Kathy Brown was opposed to the use of Section 8 vouchers at 3326 Washington Street, but wanted Federico to use vouchers “because it’s important for deeper affordability,” she said.

Brown also waned Federico to add more vouchers and increase the number of three-bedroom units.

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Morancy said that Federico is “back and forth with the affordability agreement;” he added that “vouchers were a good option to increase affordability without the developer contribution.”

“It’s hard to predict what the numbers will be four-five years out,” he said adding that in 2025 a one-bedroom at 60 percent area median income (AMI) would have been $1,480 and a two-bedroom at 60 percent would have been $1,480 a month.

Carla-Lisa Caliga of the Stonybrook Neighborhood Association was not satisfied. “How come these are all rental and not [home-ownership] condominiums?” she asked.

“It’s difficult financially,” Morancy said, “to get financing for a condominium, especially 55 units. Banks would want 50 percent sales agreement before a building this size is completed [before financing].”

Council member Bernie Doherty said he had a rule of thumb. “I’m not in favor of anything over four stories,” he said. “I live here on Asticou Road. Keep things more at three stories.”

“But I’m more interested in the neighborhood,” Doherty said. “I’m unfamiliar with the FHNA. Who are they? What are their names?” he asked.

Morancy read off a list six names one of which was “K. Doherty.”

Herrero notified The Bulletin the next day that the FHNA “strongly supported the project” but this was not unanimous.

Council member Alcurtis Clark (and now the new council chair) is on record as opposing tall buildings; she voted to oppose the memory care/senor housing addition of Rogerson House at the April 5 Jamaica Plain Zoning Committee because of its height.

She said she doesn’t like 247 Hyde Park Ave. either. “It’s too tall,” she said. “It hovers over the neighborhood. It doesn’t provide enough light.”

Clark wants shadow studies. She also wants more three-bedroom units “for families.”

Council member Willie Mitchell also wants more three bedrooms. “It would pay off better if you had families,” he said. “One-bedroom people don’t stay around.”

Morancy closed out the presentation.

“We will be in touch as he plans further develop before filling with the Planning Department, probably in July,” he said.