RE: 980-988 Dorchester Avenue
To: Columbia/Savin Hill Civic Association

Dear Members:

I am writing in response to a request made by your Association regarding the change of occupancy to the above property.

According to the records of this department, 980-988 Dorchester Avenue is located in a MFR/LS (Multifamily residential/Local Service) Zone. Within this zone, both a hair salon and convenience store are allowable uses and therefore do not require the applicant to notify the community or go through the Zoning Board of Appeals process. The only time that these uses are forbidden according to the zoning code is when the hair salon or convenience store is not located on the ground floor level of the building. I have enclosed a copy of the zoning code table that states these are allowable uses.

I understand that there is also a concern with the fact that the property went from one business to several. According to Massachusetts State Sanitary and Building codes, as many additional allowable uses can be added as long as there is adequate space and facilities to conduct the use.

Commissioner Joyce is scheduled to attend your group's next meeting to be held on February 3, 2003. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns so that he may address them at this time.

In the meantime, if there is anything else that I can assist you with please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 617-635-5300.

Sincerely,

Colleen M. Callahan
Liaison for Constituent Services
Boston Inspectional Services Department

cc: City Councilor Maureen Feeney
Molly Dunford, ONS