Board rejects deck for South Boston house after residents object to frequent parties; also rejects proposed house that would look nothing like neighboring triple deckers

The Zoning Board of Appeal today rejected a proposal by the owner of 25 Dorchester St. to add a roof deck after nearby residents and elected officials said the last thing they'd want to see at a building with frequent 911 calls about loud parties is a place for outdoor partying.

Separately, the board rejected a proposed three-family house at 1778 Columbia Rd. after nearby residents and elected officials objected because it would look nothing like the surrounding triple deckers.

25 Dorchester St. owner Patrick Alviti, who lives on the top floor of the three-family building at the corner with West 2nd Street, had applied for permission to add a 20x25-foot deck for his use only.

The mayor's office and the offices of City Councilors Ed Flynn, Michael Flaherty and Annissa Essaibi George and state Sen. Nick Collins all voiced opposition. "It's a problem property to the neighbors" because of frequent loud parties, Flynn aide Ana Calderon said. Officials said they have gotten frequent complaints from residents about the near weekly need to call 911 about parties.

The board rejected a proposal for a three-bedroom home at 1778 Columbia Rd. after hearing complaints from the City Point Neighborhood Association and elected officials that the modern style of the proposed structure could set a precedent that would lead to the gradual erosion of the three-deckers that now line the street, across from the yacht club.

The building would not have violated any Boston zoning regulations related to buildings in general, but needed board approval because of its location in a "greenbelt" district.

The board voted 6-1 to reject the proposal without prejudice, which means that Kyle and David Gambone can come back with revised plans.

Board member Eric Robinson was the project's sole supporter. Noting that aside from the greenbelt issue, the building could go up without board approval, he said design issues could be handled through review by BPDA designers, as is standard with many projects approved by the board. "Aesthetics are subjective. Things are built of their time. We don't build like that any more."