Update:
After a hard fight to erect a new billboard next to the Polish American Club to help raise funds, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted against the proposal on Tuesday with a vote of 5-2. See Letter Below from the Polish American Club’s Board:
Original Post:
Back in October, the Zoning Board of Appeal agreed to reconsider its decision back in May to reject a plan by the Polish-American Club to erect a new billboard next to 93. On Tuesday, the ZBA will hold a virtual hearing and the board will vote again! The Polish American Club stated that the money from leasing the land for the billboard to Media Partners would help them stay open. You can read their letter below.
Here’s the Background of this Billboard situation:
The Polish American Club’s zoning lawyer, Ryan Spitz, filed detailed renderings of what the billboard would look like, which they didn’t file back in May. The lawyer also offered up a proposal by the club to take down three other billboards in Dorchester before the Polish American billboard would go up. Media Partners, which manages the billboards, stated they would take down two-sided billboards at Dot Avenue and Freeport Street. The two other locations would be decided through consultation with City Councilor Frank Baker and the McCormack Civic Association. Then they would negotiate with the owners and landlords of the other locations.
The Polish American Club stated that the money from leasing the land for the billboard to Media Partners would help them stay open.
You can read more details of this somewhat complex situation here.
Kindly Read This Letter From the Polish American Club:
Dearest friends,
On Tuesday, February 28th, the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will be re-hearing our case for the billboard project. Our case will be heard at 12pm and meeting will be held virtually via the Zoom webinar platform. This will be a rehearing from the board’s decision from May 2022.
There is a whole new zoning board with new members, so we want to make sure that we have all the support we need to help make this project happen. It would be transformative for our organization and the Polish-American community of greater Boston.
To participate in the hearing on Tuesday, go to https://bit.ly/ZBA2023Hearings
We have been working so hard to make this happen. We have been doing everything in our power to secure a future for our club and to make sure that this symbol of our Polish-American community does not disappear!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please feel free to share this info.
Kind regards / Z wyrazami szacunku,
The officers and directors of the Polish American Citizens Club
Stasia, Eric, Peter, Erica, Jay, Dawn, Ed, Keith, and Joanna
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.
Did the ZBA offer a reason why they rejected the billboard?