PD Design Build

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The day we ripped the occupied Second Floor open to connect it with the new Third Floor. The stair well opening.

Applying for a Variance in the City of Boston: a journey through hell.

We were seeking relief from zoning requirements for Floor to Area Ratio (F.A.R.), set backs and building height.

I was told that the process would take a minimum of 6 months and that I would need to have a review from 5 city agencies. I was also told that the Zoning Board of Appeals in Jamaica Plain was the most formidable in all of Boston. I was advised that I would not stand a chance unless I hired a lawyer who was politically connected. The politically connected part did not turn out necessary but the lawyer gave me crucial guidance. He insisted that we get letters of support from the neighbors and this proved to be essential for the Zoning Board. The Board consists of 12 volunteer citizens that sit on the board and all of them voted in support of our project.

Regardless of the support that we enjoyed from the Zoning Board, the Boston Planning & Development Agency proved to be the most difficult part of the process. The requests for design revisions from the B.P.D.A. often conflicted with the architectural vernacular of the neighborhood or conflicted with building codes.

Gas lamp pipes, rain storms,exposed roof trusses and frightened crane operators.

Ah yes, the sky is sunny and blue in these photos. We new rain was coming but the framer had a schedule to keep and insisted. The plan was to rip the roof off in one day and build the floor deck which we would cover in plastic sheeting. Well........ It was the beginning of a record rain fall for three months. It rained at least every third day for three months. No amount of plastic sheeting could keep the rain out resulting in wall, ceiling and floor damage inside. Oh and did I mention that the family that owned the building was living inside during this whole process. They were not happy..

STEP 1: RIP OFF PORCH
STEP 2: DIG HOLE
STEP 3: FOOTINGS & FOUNDATION WALL

The Third Floor of this house consists of a Master Bedroom with full bath, an outdoor deck and stairwell.

The Jamaica Plain House is located on top of a hill and the view from the third floor deck is expansive. Click on any of the photos below to enter into a photo book with commentary attached to some of the photos.

Jamaica Plain House Addition is finished.
We removed the porch and second floor roof to add a third story. Also, we added a two story addition to the rear of the building and a one story entry vestibule at the front. The pictures below show before and after.

https://pddesignbuild.com/rotten-exterior-stair-case/
The Problem and the Solution

Rotten Exterior Stair Case Visit the post for more.

https://pddesignbuild.com/repairing-rotten-porch-posts/

Repairing Rotten Porch Posts Visit the post for more.