Housing is often on the mind of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu; the Sept. 8 Boston Globe reported “She’s considering a host of changes to finally crack the housing problem.”

“Tax breaks for high priority projects struggling for financing.”

“Zoning to encourage more affordable, higher and denser housing in key neighborhoods near transit and business squares.”

Wu is also considering revising the biggest hot potato: “Considering flexibility for the city’s requirement of 17% affordable units with 3% for voucher holders.”

As reported by The Bulletin, Marc Kaplan, developer of 3326 Washington St. went through a six-month rambunctious test of just this flexibility with his finally approved revised affordability agreement.

Height and density apparently struck out in allegedly progressive Jamaica Plain. Neighbors have successfully reduced the height and density of three income-restricted developments in the last six years totaling 59 apartments: The Lyndia (Pine Street), 22 chopped off; Rogerson Beaufort, 31 units lost; and 3371 Washington St. 6 units reduced to appease neighbors.

All also had to be redesigned at additional cost because each building had to be reduced by one story.

Missing from the mayor’s considerations is timeframe.

Although the Article 80 process has a built-in calendar, this is routinely circumvented by neighborhood-imposed protocol.

The project notification form (PNF) for 84 Stonely Rd. was filed with the Boston Planning Department on Aug. 3, and the obligatory Article 80 meeting was advertised for Aug. 27.

But this upset the protocol of the Stonybrook Neighborhood Association (SNA): the developers needed to come to them first, and they prevailed on the Planning Department to cancel the meeting on Aug. 23 “until further notice.”

The agenda for the Sept. 14 virtual SNA meeting stated, “We hope to have the developers of 84 Stonely present their most recent plans.”

Nine residents called in to the meeting, and it was not clear if 84 Stonely would present until its consultant Jay Walsh popped up in the room.

Office of Neighborhood Services Jamaica Plain liaison Zavia Dickerson and Melissa Beltran from District 6 City Councilor Ben Weber were also on the call.

Walsh was joined by architect Lucio Trabucco.

There was only one major change to the notification form according to Walsh, a 2,000-square-foot addition to the property line because Stedman Street was able to be extended.

The adjacent property is also owned by the same developer, Colm O’Shea, who has proposed a self-storage building that Walsh said is still being planned.

SNA member Caliga, who seems to be on a first name basis with O’Shea, said she had talked to him that afternoon.

“I like to work with this developer. He lives in JP. He wants to finish 75 Stedman,” she said.

The addition of the extension, Walsh explained, made it possible to enlarge the building and add larger apartments as well as “present a front door on Stedman Street.”

Walsh said O’Shea wanted to extend Stedman Street and wrap around to connect with Stonely Road, but this would require taking MBTA land.

After a few months of discussions with the MBTA, Walsh said, they declined saying it needed the land for the new Arborway bus garage.

Trabucco explained the apartment layout of the five-story, 28-unit apartment house: First floor – four one-bedroom apartments. Second floor – two two-bedrooms and four one-bedroom units. Floors three to five: 18 units.

There will be 20 one-bedroom apartments and eight, two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment will have its own balcony. The façade will be composite cement fibre board and clapboard.

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Trabucco said that 84 Stonley will line up with the lot line equal to 76 Stonley (also designed by Trabucco in 2016).

SNA member Jennifer Urhrane did not seem happy.

“This building is not interesting,” she said. “It’s a depressing building. All your buildings look alike.”

Alcurtis Clark said “This was the first time seeing this,” although the PNF was up on the Planning Department page since Aug. 3.

“I thought this was completely affordable,” Clark added.

Walsh replied “This complies with the city’s inclusionary development policy. Five units.”

“These will be different sizes, and the rents will be set by the Mayor’s Office of Housing.”

“These will be all rental,” Walsh said, replying to Caliga, who wanted home ownership.

“The rents won’t be set until we see the construction numbers and get the financing.”

“It’s extremely expensive to build and get financing by lenders for homeownership,” he said. “Rental is more financially feasible.”

“There’s a lot to improve,” Urhrane said and asked that a subcommittee be formed to review the proposal.

SNA chair Joy Silverstien asked for volunteers and Caliga signed on.

Historically an SNA project subcommittee reviews plans with separate meetings with the developer and reports back to the full association, which votes to oppose or not to oppose. Trabucco said he would email a pdf of the project modification form to the SNA.

Missed the 84 Stonely SNA presentation? Not to worry. It’s on the agenda of the Oct 20 Jamaica Plain Housing Committee, and then off to the full neighborhood council on Oct. 27.

The BPDA Article 80 meeting has not been rescheduled.

Almost as a non sequitur, Silverstein followed 84 Stonley with an announcement that the owner of Happy Market on South Street [Francisco Fernandez] emailed her that afternoon saying he was interested in the grocery space at One Gartland, now nearly completed by Watermark.

Dickerson added he had been touch with her too.

Later it was learned that Happy Market had applied for a retail package store all alcoholic license for 3484 Washington St., the Doyle’s development. An abutters meeting was scheduled for Sept 24.

Lee Goodman of Watermark did not respond for comment.