Update!
On Friday afternoon it was announced that a former assistant director of real estate at the EDIC (Economic Development Industrial Corporation) plead guilty to accepting a $50,000 bribe from a Boston real estate developer. The bribe was for help sway the vote of the Zoning Board of Appeals to support a change that helped the developer get his project approved.
John M. Lynch, 66, plead guilty and seems to be cooperating with prosecutors so who knows that this case could reveal. The Globe followed up on this storywith the name of the developer and the development involved in the case late Saturday evening. The developer is Steven Turner and the development 27-29 H Street in South Boston.
The ZBA board member has not been named yet. But we have a feeling it will be revealed soon and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
What exactly is the ZBA
The Zoning Board of Appeal is basically the gatekeeper of thousands of smaller-scale construction projects throughout the City of Boston and make decision on everything from regular home additions/renovations to mid-size apartment buildings. The ZBA can also make decisions when it comes to modifying zoning to allow large developments to be approved for small lots of land. Here is list of current ZBA members.
What is the BPDA
The Boston Planning & Development Agency regulates larger scale developments. Lynch worked for the EDIC which is a division of the BPDA. He resigned on August 16th.
This should be an interesting case to follow.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
