Along the western side of the Meridian Street Bridge, the historic waterfront district contains businesses including the Fitzgerald Shipyard, an active shipyard that has little impact on the peaceful, intimate brick and wooden row house community below. This neighborhood is home to some of Chelsea’s oldest, most attractive and best maintained residential structures, as well as to residents with deep roots in the city. The oil tank farm situated at the lowest end of Broadway continues to stand as an eyesore in an otherwise charming area – an ugly giant and oil terminal positioned in the wrong location, currently contributing nothing to the city beyond substantial tax payments. Now there is a proposal to establish a tortilla factory at a commercial site on Winnisimmet Street. While the oil farm cannot be relocated, action can be taken regarding this factory proposal on a historic, cobblestone street featuring excellent residences and stunning views of Boston. Among those with an interest in the matter – realtors and lawyers – the prevailing sentiment appears to be that since nothing else has succeeded, the tortilla factory represents the only available option to move forward. This reasoning, however, risks bringing an inappropriate use to the former Kayem site. The Chelsea Zoning Board of Appeals finds itself in a challenging situation. The former factory complex, essentially a large refrigerated structure with a three story brick office component, has proven unattractive to prospective buyers. Two real estate developers abandoned efforts to develop it in recent years. Yet the Zoning Board of Appeals acted appropriately in rejecting developments deemed too dense for the location. Once more, the Zoning Board of Appeals must preserve both the neighborhood’s character and its own credibility by rejecting the tortilla factory proposal for this space. The tenant, the property, and the timing are all wrong for this part of Chelsea. A neighborhood petition is now in circulation. Legal representation has been retained by those opposing the tortilla factory, and frankly, this dispute is unwelcome in Chelsea’s finest neighborhood at a time when the city is thriving as never before. The Zoning Board of Appeals has proven its worth by defending neighborhoods against unsuitable developments for many years. The tortilla factory request demands that the board remain resolute in serving the entire Chelsea Waterfront’s best interests. Finding an alternative tenant and purchaser will require additional time, but the delay will benefit the neighborhood long term. We call on the Zoning Board of Appeals to reject this development based on its merits. This simply is not the appropriate use for property in this historic area.
A Tortilla Factory in Historic District not the Way to Go
