In the most recent chapter of their ongoing development plan for the Renbrandt building at 6 Parmelee Street/659 Massachusetts Avenue, the principals of Perpetual Real Estate met with abutters and community members on Monday night, November 10 to discuss their proposal to redevelop the two story, industrial use building into nine market-rate apartments. Jordan Deasy, Mayor Walsh's liaison to the South End, moderated the meeting, which took place right outside the building and drew about 15 attendees including representatives of the Tenants' Development Corporation (TDC), which has affordable housing units abutting the Renbrandt building and board members of the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA), which has hosted the developers at two of its meetings. "We are here to get your constructive feedback," Perpetual founding partner Thomas Magloczki said. Perpetual's plan would renovate the existing structure, which cannot be razed and replaced under historic-district rules, and convert the industrial-use home of Renbrandt, Inc. The building next door, 663 Massachusetts Avenue, is a TDC affordable rental building whose upper-floor tenants would be impacted by the plan to build upward at 6 Parmelee. Housing development consultant Robert Goldstein vehemently maintained that 6 Parmelee's proposed vertical extension would "destroy the quality of life" for 663's tenants by obstructing their natural light and airflow.

Magloczki and Perpetual partner Jason Vickery were accompanied by their zoning attorney, Nicholas Zozula of McDermott, Quilty and Miller, LLP. TDC executive director Donald Ward and senior property manager Jeannetta Williams were joined by Goldstein and Clifford Boehmer of Davis Square Architects, both of whom have experience in the development of affordable housing. WSANA's David Hedison, also an affordable housing developer, attended to learn more about Perpetual's project. The development team exhibited the initial and revised plans they submitted to WSANA, the BRA and the South End Landmark District Commission in their two meetings with each group earlier this year. The Perpetual team explained that the Renbrandt redevelopment proposal is subject the BRA's small-project review of all elements of its design because it is in a boulevard overlay district due to its location at 659 Massachusetts Avenue. They also presented before and after photos of their renovation of 658 Massachusetts Avenue, a former shelter that Perpetual converted to apartments. While Perpetual cannot raze and rebuild 6 Parmelee Street/659 Massachusetts Avenue due to historic-district requirements, the team proposes to build three additional stories onto the building. Their plans include a total of 12 variances. The number of variances owes in part to the fact that the building has street-facing sides on Massachusetts Avenue, on Parmelee Street and on Trask Street.

The Perpetual team said it had letters of support from Parmelee Court and other Massachusetts Avenue neighbors. Pointing to the firm's work at 658 Massachusetts Avenue, Magloczki said, "We tried to follow through on everything we said we were going to do, including a trash management plan, cheap rent for our residents and preserving the historic quality of the building, which is exactly what we want to repeat here. Jason and I love the neighborhood. I personally moved here. We love the site and the location. It's a unique location so it needs a unique design." At the same time, Magloczki said that the designers took into account precedents set by projects on the same block for the height, massing and setback of the Renbrandt renovation. Concerned about the height extension and the impact it would have on neighbors at 663, Goldstein said, "Let me get this right. You want zoning variances so you can destroy the quality of life for tenants by building up to six stories in the back and cutting off their light and air. I don't know why our low-income tenants should get less than the market-rate tenants in your building." Magloczki responded, "I totally agree with you that it is going to impact the quality of life at the top, no doubt about it," and added that the proposed addition would be 53 feet high and five stories. Magloczki asked Goldstein what alternative he would propose for the building plan, and Goldstein said, "Build as a right", within existing zoning standards for the parcel. The exchange regarding the rise of the L shaped rear of the building turned contentious, with Deasy stepping in to ask about any other concerns people had. The development proposal also includes three parking spaces, and parking was identified as another challenge, although the Perpetual team seemed to think that it would not be in high demand with incoming tenants. They pointed to their efforts to steer existing tenants to Zipcars and public transit by offering Charlie cards and Zipcard membership assistance.

After the meeting, Ward commented, "I thought it was productive. It makes our position a little clearer and gives [Perpetual] an opportunity to look at their design." In a follow-up statement, WSANA president George Stergios said, "What I find hard to understand is how Perpetual went through what has already been a long and expensive process, hiring an architect and lawyer, appearing before WSANA, the BRA, and Landmarks, and working with all of us for several months without first getting sign-off from the abutters. We applaud Perpetual for its willingness to work with us and others to improve the design, and they have done fine work in this neighborhood in the past, but we at WSANA think the first task for any developer is to come to some sort of agreement with the abutters, who always absorb most of the negative impacts, before they get to us, or Landmarks, or the BRA." In his post-meeting remarks, Hedison praised TDC's redevelopment of 663 Massachusetts Avenue and stressed the importance of economic diversity. "I support the increase in rental developments in our neighborhood, both market rate and affordable.  All projects will generate work opportunities for the city of Boston and additional funding for the schools, public works and programs that so many rely on.  Additional market rate units in the neighborhood may help the vacant commercial space on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Washington Street." Addressing TDC's environmental concerns regarding the height extension, Hedison observed, "I believe modification of the "L" that wraps the back of 663 will provide increased airflow and improved quality of life to the residents.  A residential building versus the use as a light manufacturing business is a definite improvement."

Vickery followed up in writing as well. "Our Zoning Board of Appeals hearing is next Tuesday, November 18.  We hope to incorporate some of the feedback from last night's meeting into new plans and have them ready for the ZBA meeting." The sale of 6 Parmelee Street is currently under agreement with the Renner family, owners of the Renbrandt building and of the light manufacturing company that has operated there since 1957. According to Vickery, Renbrandt plans to move to another location.