Boston City Councilor proposes ZBA changes following investigations

City Councilor Lydia Edwards is filing a bill that would change the makeup of the controversy-ridden Zoning Board of Appeal, removing the real estate seat from the board and requiring more financial disclosures from applicants.

“These changes protect against conflicts of interest, improve standards of review, ensure critical perspectives of tenants and environmental protection are represented, and modernize the Zoning Board of Appeal by providing 21st-century transparency for all residents,” said Edwards.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh is already reviewing what to do with the board after longtime staffer John Lynch pleaded guilty to taking bribes and board member Craig Galvin — who sat in the seat reserved for a real estate professional — resigned over conflicts of interest. The city is conducting an internal investigation and has brought on a former federal corruption prosecutor to conduct an outside look.

The proposal from Edwards, who represents East Boston, Charlestown and the North End, would remove the real estate seat from the seven-member board and instead would require representatives from other areas including affordable housing, urban planning and environmental protection. It also would ban people who work in construction, development or real estate from sitting on the board.

Zoning staff in roles similar to Lynch would be prohibited from engaging in other permitting, planning, development or real estate functions, according to Edwards.

The proposal would require financial disclosure by ZBA applicants. The bill would create an oversight position and require regular reports from the ZBA.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2nXVhVg