Zoning and Licensing Not to Oppose Church Rehab

By Dan Murphy

A plan to repurpose the former Church of St. John the Evangelist and adjacent brick rectory at 33-35 Bowdoin St. for residential and office use was met with a vote of non-opposition Wednesday from the Beacon Hill Civic Association Zoning and Licensing Committee.

The applicant is seeking zoning relief from the city to convert the lower floor of the church building into a multi-bedroom, one family apartment and its main floor into office space. As part of the plan, a large attic area located above the main floor would also be reconfigured into living space.

The rectory building is a four-story row house with a rear ell, which the applicant intends to convert into a three-family dwelling.

Committee co-chair Tom Clemens said the vote of non-opposition was contingent on the applicant entering into a “good neighbor” agreement with the Civic Association. This contract would stipulate a Temple Street entrance not be used for deliveries and trash pickup, and that a special committee be established to help oversee the design of a pathway proposed for the park located between the two buildings, among other provisos.

Jim Alexander, the applicant’s attorney, said a hearing date with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals has yet to be scheduled.

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