City Council on board with proposed townhouses at Sons of Italy site

By Barbara Taormina

A plan to raze the Sons of Italy building at 8 Revere St. and replace it with a development of nine townhouses was flooded with praise by the City Council during a public hearing this week. The project will increase the green space from 700 to 7,000 square feet. The townhouses will be market rate condos, but they will offer a more affordable opportunity for home ownership to many Revere residents.

The developers are looking for variances for the front yard setback and the number of stories and a special permit from the City Council. The parking-compliant development will be three stories but only two and a half stories are allowed by right.

“We are not going to get another project like this. Instead of 30 units, we’re getting nine two-bedrooms, two bathrooms, two parking spots townhouses,” said City Council President Anthony Cogliandro. “It’s exactly what we need in this community, it’s exactly what we want. This is my ward and I’m 1,000 percent on board with this. I’ve spoken with residents and it is a resounding ‘yes’ from them – they are thrilled it’s not apartments.”

Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri said he figured the Sons of Italy would eventually be turned into apartments. “But the owners and developers were adamant not to do that to the neighborhood,” said Silvestri. “I hope this is a start to more projects like this in the city.”

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio called the plan “a great project and a breath of fresh air from what we’ve been seeing.” Argenzio said he was in full support of it.

“Generally, I’m not in favor of special permits, but I would love to see more projects like this,” said Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelly. “This allows for a path to home ownership, which is exactly what we want to see.”

Councillor-at-Large Juan Pablo Jaramillo was pleased to see the dramatic increase in green space and said it will, hopefully, help ease the flooding on Rosetti Street. He encouraged the developers to consider other available options to boost climate change resiliency.

“The green space will really help the flooding in back,” said Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto, who called the townhouses a well-designed project.

The council’s Zoning Subcommittee will continue to review the project at their meeting on April 8.