A Tibetan social organization has acquired the former Irish Club building located on Clinton Street, prompting several city officials to seek clarification regarding the new club’s intended use of the property.
Councillor Leo Robinson initially raised the issue at a Council meeting last month, noting that “fblikebutton_button” he had learned of a new owner with a substantial membership base.
Robinson expressed concerns about the types of activities the Club would host and how parking would be managed, particularly given that the former Irish Club had not maintained significant membership numbers in recent years.
During Monday’s session, City Manager Tom Ambrosino informed the Council that the Tibetan Association of Boston had recently acquired the Irish Club property. According to Ambrosino, the club currently holds a permit allowing use of the first floor as a social club. “That use will be allowed as a matter of right by the new owner,” he noted. “I understand the new owner is currently working with ISD to secure the required occupancy permit for that permitted use.”
An inspection conducted by ISD revealed several violations requiring correction, Ambrosino reported.
The new owner has indicated interest in expanding operations to include the basement as a social club space. Ambrosino explained that such an expansion would necessitate a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to allow for expansion of a non-conforming use.
Additional parking accommodations may also be needed, Ambrosino added. “Thus far, the owner has started the Special Permit application process, but it has not yet supplied ISD with all the necessary documentation for a full review,” he said.
According to Ambrosino’s discussion with the Record, the new club’s membership currently stands at approximately 200 members.