TO THE EDITOR,

In recent weeks, topics of ongoing concerns in southwest Boston neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Roslindale and West Roxbury) have generated much news space and reader comments include the ongoing issue of continuous housing construction across the city.

And also the White Stadium fiasco.

As I look across this city's neighborhoods, major issues include the constant building of more and more market-rate housing. Not only more and more housing but less and less parking options to go along with the increasing density with rental and condo units.

In recent weeks I have read two letters, one from an Allston resident and the other from a Roslindale resident. one writer states he supports "car-optional living" and the other supports a 7-story residential unit without ever mentioning parking concerns.

The Boston City Council is now considering nixing parking requirements altogether for developers to create more density housing in city neighborhoods. Make it easier for developers to make money by bypassing off-street parking requirements sounds like a big win for everyone but taxpayers and those looking for actual affordable housing, doesn't it?

Here is a thought to ponder for folks in Roslindale, West Roxbury, Allston Brighton and Hyde Park. Over by North Station and TD Garden, there's a residential development being proposed for 222 Friend St. in what is left of the West End. An existing three-story commercial building would be razed to create space for a 15-story residential building with ground-floor retail.

There would be 216 residential units and no parking would be provided on site. Of course when the old building is demolished, the 32-space surface parking lot will vanish too.

I also still can't believe that the corner of Tower Street and Hyde Park Avenue across from Forest Hills Station is still alive and well like Dracula, it just won't die. Newest news, developers are seeking to reportedly build a six-story, 35-unit apartment complex. Seven units per floor plus apparently the ground level where they'll be a total of 11 car spaces. Oh, but don't forget the 1,200-square-foot common roof deck.

Enough said, no one wants me to continue on here right now. I shall return another time with my take on White Stadium and the latest plans by City Hall on fans parking there for those soccer games.

Sal Giarratani

East Boston

Advertisement