The Willow Baker development would bring 191 condominiums and apartments to Boston's South Bay area. Image courtesy of PCA

A 191-unit multifamily development behind the South Bay Center won plaudits from Boston Planning & Development Agency officials at a meeting yesterday as a model for environmentally-friendly designs amid a sea of asphalt-covered properties.

The BPDA board on Monday approved the Willow Baker project along with a 74-unit affordable senior housing project in Roxbury, a mass timber hotel in the West End and new resiliency guidelines for development in flood-prone areas.

The Willow Baker project would include 99 condominiums and 92 apartments in three buildings on a 1.3-acre site predominantly occupied by vacant lots.

BPDA directors unanimously approved the project by developer Adam Sarbaugh and recommended the zoning board of appeals approve variances needed for its final approval.

BPDA board member Ted Landsmark praised the development team for including green infrastructure such as sidewalk trees, patios and lawn areas in the built-up area that receives pollution and heat island effects from the Southeast Expressway, rail lines and the massive South Bay Center parking lot.

“This area for a long time has been a disaster in terms of environmental justice. I hope this becomes much more of a precedent for other developments, particularly residential developers in this area,” Landsmark said.

Designed by architects PCA, the 181,398-square-foot development at 75-78 Willow Court and 16 Baker Court would include 29 income-restricted units and include 46 parking spaces, 38 of which would be located in a basement garage. 

In Roxbury, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. received approval for a $36 million all-affordable senior housing complex including 59 apartments and 15 condos. The project designed by ICON Architecture includes a 4-story building at 4-18 Cheney St., a 3-story building at 24 Cheney St. and a 3-story building at 3-5 Schuyler St.

Long-stalled development plans for a hotel tower at a West End parking lot also got the OK to proceed under a new ownership team. Boston Real Estate Collaborative acquired 88 North Washington St. in June for $2.85 million, and a redesign by Monte French Design Studios includes a switch to mass timber construction for a 12-story, 31-room hotel.

The board also approved new development reviews for properties at risk of coastal flooding. The zoning overlay applies to properties subject to BPDA Article 80 large and small project review that are expected to flood during major coastal storms based upon a 40-inch projected rise in sea levels by 2070.

Building heights will be measured from 2 feet above the base flood elevation including rising sea level projections, rather than at-grade. Only structures such as stairs, storage and parking will be permitted to be built below the new flood threshold. Developers will receive allowances from building setback, lot coverage and gross square floor area requirements to build stairs and elevated mechanical systems.