BRA Approves 105A S. Huntington Development

Another South Huntington Avenue development has received city approval, this time at address 105A.

Cedar Valley Development, LLC received Boston Redevelopment Authority approval Thursday to build a 195-unit apartment complex at 105A S. Huntington Ave., according to a press statement from CVC.

The development, “Serenity,” is planned for a one-acre vacant lot formerly owned by the state between the Jamaicaway and South Huntington Avenue.

The Jamaicaway side of the development will rise no higher than five floors, according to the statement, though a “slender” 13-floor tower is planned for the Huntington Avenue side.

This is technically down from the 10-story building originally proposed, which the Jamaica Pond Association opposed last August.

The units will be a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Rents last summer were estimated to be between $2,500 and $3,000 per month for a two-bedroom unit.

Developers have received the scoping determination from the BRA, therefore further city review has been waived, according to the statement, which cites BRA’s zoning code Article 80.

“Serenity,” designed by David Chilinski of Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, will have 32 units of designated affordable housing, accounting for 16 percent of the development, which meets city guidlines.

The building will have 147 parking spaces, 2,100 square feet of retail space on the South Huntington Avenue side and a variety of amenities.

CVC says the project will create about 200 union construction jobs over 18 months of construction, and about 14 permanent retail space, property management and maintenance jobs.

Property taxes are estimated at more than $1 million per year at completion, which is scheduled for of 2015 or early 2016, the statement says.

The developer will contribute $200,000 to the Boston Transportation Department for improvements along South Huntington Avenue and will make a multi-year contribution to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, according to the statement.

The development “will fill in a hole in the block, provide a variety of housing opportunities to current and new residents of the neighborhood, and enliven the street,” according to the statement.

Last October, area residents noted that developers at this site and the nearby 161 South Huntington Ave. project made big political donations to local officials.