Shown in this artist’s rendering, Stonewall Audubon Circle is planned as an over-55 community for gays and lesbians near Fenway Park in Boston. Leaders of a local neighborhood association say the 9-story development would be out of scale in the residential neighborhood.
The region’s first active-adult community for gays and lesbians proposed near Fenway Park in Boston is facing fierce opposition from neighbors, but not because of any anti-gay sentiment.
“The sexual preference of its residents has never been an issue for us,” said Jack Creighton, president of the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association, an advocacy group whose mission is to preserve the area between Park Drive and Kenmore Square. “And we are not an association with a history of opposing development. But this project is completely out of scale for the neighborhood and violates the height guidelines agreed upon by residents and the city.”
Stonewall Communities and Abbott Development, a pair of Boston-based companies, have proposed Stonewall Audubon Circle, 59 one- and two-bedroom condominiums targeted, but not restricted to, gays and lesbians 55 years of age and older. The project would be located on Miner Street, between Harvard Vanguard’s Kenmore Square facility and Beacon Street. Unit prices are expected to range from $400,000 to $600,000.
During the development’s first public meeting in May, Kenneth J. Hagen, president of Sheskey Architects, the Quincy-based project designer, presented plans for a 9-story brick and glass building that would house 66 condominiums. But following strong negative reaction from abutters, Hagen retooled the design and offered an amended plan last month during a second public hearing at Ruggles Street Baptist Church.
Under the revised version, the building would remain at 9 stories, Hagan said, but the number of units was reduced to no more than 60. In addition, he said, the footprint was condensed by 7,335 square feet, the height lowered by eight feet and the amount of green space was expanded.
Despite changes in design, many residents remain opposed to the plan, saying that a less than 10-foot concession in height is hardly a compromise at all.
“This project represents a breach of a neighborhood agreement with the city to limit the height of any buildings to 3 stories,” said Creighton.
A spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority said the parcel’s zoning allows buildings up to 45 feet tall, or 4 stories. The developers are seeking approval from the BRA and a special permit to build.
David Aronstein, president of Stonewall Communities, said he has been working with the neighborhood for nearly a year trying to hammer out a proposal that would be acceptable. He said the proponents have made a number of concessions over height and density.
“We think the building fits into the landscape in the urban area around Brookline Avenue,” he said. “Part of the building is only 3 stories tall, which we did as part of the compromise with neighbors. That’s why the rest of the building has to be taller.”
City Councilor Michael Ross, who has scheduled a meeting with the developers and neighbors in the next week, said the project is important and it’s crucial to get parties together to see if a compromise can be worked out.
“I’m planning to be in the room as a facilitator,” said Ross, whose district includes Kenmore Square. “I have the trust of all the parties and I always ask people to come into the room with an open mind and be willing to look at things in a different way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Still, it’s unclear what kind of a solution can be ironed out. While the neighbors might be willing to allow a 5- or 6-story building, they have threatened to file a lawsuit if it is much higher. The developers have said that they need about 59 units to make the project economically viable.
While Abbott Development has insisted that the project needs the height in order to make the project work financially, neighbors said that the company knew when they bought the parcel that the zoning restrictions were in place.
“The community helped determine the zoning in conjunction with the BRA about five years ago,” said Creighton. “These are not antiquated zoning ordinances. They [the developers] knew about the community agreement. We would hope that they will be able to produce something that is reasonable. We understand the city needs to grow, but this plan will not work.”
Lee Bloom, vice president of Abbott, could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino told Banker & Tradesman that while he was unfamiliar with specifics of the project, developers must follow the zoning rules.
“Whatever is built there has to be in compliance with the zoning regulations for the neighborhood,” Menino said. “A little bit of height is okay, but if everything else is 3 or 4 stories to go to 9 [stories] might be out of character. I have to see the plans.”
Growing Market
While a community built for gays and lesbians might be new for Boston, the concept began in the early 1990s when William J. Laing, a real estate developer, moved to Florida to retire. In his 70s, Laing could not imagine living in a “straight” nursing home where he would have to live in the closet during his elder years.
Instead, Laing sold almost all of his assets in 1996 to purchase 30 acres of farmland in Palmetto, on Florida’s west coast near St. Petersburg and Sarasota. The Palms of Manasota, which he calls “America’s First Gay and Lesbian Retirement Community,” consists of single-family homes, duplexes, triplex villas and an assisted-care living facility.
This summer, the city of Santa Fe, N.M., witnessed a ribbon-cutting at RainbowVision designed for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people facing their “Second 50 Years.” Spread over 13 acres of desert in the shade of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it boasts 146 apartments and condominiums as well as a social center with a cafeteria, a Billie Jean King health club and cabaret space. RainbowVision already is sold out and its developers plan a second, similarly sized community in Palm Springs, Calif.
Among the activities at RainbowVision this year was a production called “Flawless,” billed as a “pageant for female impersonators 50 years plus.” The Web site describes it as “nail-biting excitement as seven of the country’s most beautiful and glamorous professional female impersonators vie for the coveted title of the first Ms. RainbowVision.”
Today, there are about five such communities nationwide and more than two-dozen are being planned. Proponents say the projects are a groundbreaking concept for gays and lesbians who are tired of living a secret life or being a minority. It also serves as a model for inclusive living and neighborhood revitalization, they say.
Housing experts insists there is a market for housing targeted to retirement-aged homosexuals. By 2010, there will be about 60 million people 55 and older in the United States. There are an estimated 3 million gays and lesbians over the age of 55. Experts say many lack family support networks that heterosexual couples rely on as they get older.
