Summer Evening at Otis House
Over 50 friends and neighbors attended the 3rd Annual Summer Evening at Otis House on Thursday. The evening is a collaboration between Historic New England and the Beacon Hill Civic Association, bringing together historic preservation discussion and community development in this elegant setting.
Guests were treated to appetizers from Tip Tap Room and tours of the famous house built in 1795 by Harrison Gray Otis, third Mayor of Boston and Senator from Massachusetts.
For more information about Historic New England, please visit historicnewengland.org.
The Beacon Hill Civic Association has various committees that focus on a targeted range of issues and initiatives aligning with the BHCA mission. Committee chairs volunteer their time and share their expertise to implement plans that relate to the goals of the organization for the good of our neighborhood. The BHCA welcomes interested neighbors to join any of our Committees.
ZONING & LICENSING COMMITTEE
The Beacon Hill Civic Association seeks to preserve and enhance Beacon Hill as an economically mixed residential neighborhood served by the designated commercial areas on Charles and Cambridge Streets. Preservation of the neighborhood as one suitable for persons and families who reside on Beacon Hill is its principal objective.
The mission of the Zoning and Licensing Committee (ZLC) is to help in that process by assisting property owners who desire to make changes to their properties that require variances from the Boston Zoning Code. Such owners and their representatives are asked to appear at a ZLC meeting, where they are given the opportunity to describe their projects and rationales for requesting variances and, in turn, receive input and insight from the community.
The ZLC reviews requests by local restaurants and merchants for liquor licenses in a similar manner to the review of zoning variances. It encourages the location of varied permitted business and retail uses in the designated traditional commercial locations on Charles and Cambridge streets.
ZLC may act when it believes requested zoning or licensing changes may adversely affect all or a significant portion of the Beacon Hill community either directly or through the precedential nature of the change. It may also act where the concern is expressed solely by affected neighbors.
The ZLC’s recommendations are subsequently presented to the Beacon Hill Civic Association directors for discussion. The board in turn communicates its decision to the Zoning Board of Appeal who has the authority to determine whether a variance is granted.
Come join us!
Beacon Hill Civic Association committees and special events bring together volunteers and neighbors, working together to assure a good quality of life on the Hill. All residents are welcome to become members and participate.
Upcoming Special Events
Young Friends Social – June 27
Evening on the Esplanade – July 18
Fall HillFest – September 23
Visit the Beacon Hill Civic Association website bhcivic.org and/or call the office (617-227-1922) to become a member and for more information on how to get involved.