Linear Realty has withdrawn its application to the city’s Zoning Board of Appeal for a conditional-use change that would enable Capital One to occupy 62-66 Charles St., said Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Executive Director Suzanne Besser.
Besser said Friday that the BHCA had received written confirmation from Capital One attorney Dennis Quilty that a request to withdraw without prejudice was submitted to the city. As a result, a scheduled Zoning Board of Appeal hearing to review the requested use change will not take place today, Feb. 28, Besser added.
According to The Boston Globe, the Charles Street Market, which currently rents the Charles Street location owned by Burlington-based Linear Realty, will receive a reprieve on account of the realtor’s decision to withdraw.
Linear Realty had previously applied to the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) for the zoning relief necessary to change the use of the Charles Street Market (formerly 7-Eleven) from an at-grade retail store to a full-service bank branch with ATM machines. According to ISD, a portion of the building lies in a residential district and subsequently requires a zoning variance to modify the location from one forbidden usage (i.e. a store) to another (a bank).
The proposal was met with strong resistance by the BHCA and neighborhood residents who fear that banks are already displacing local and independently owned businesses on Charles Street, among other concerns.