Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Urban Studies and Planning

11.521
Spatial Database Management and Advanced Geographic Information Systems
11.523
Fundamentals of Spatial Database Management

The Boston Zoning Variance Database

From Clark Broida's MCP Thesis, 6/87

Main Table (ZONING)

Field #  Field Name dBaseIII+ Type dBaseIII+ Width ORACLE Type Field Description and Explanation of Codes
PART A: Case Identification
1 CASENUMBER Num 5 varchar2(5) Unique Board ID
2 HRINGDATE Date 8 varchar2(8) Date of Hearing (format YYYYMMDD)
3 APPLICANT Char 30 varchar2(30) Restricted (privacy)
4 FNAME Char 20 varchar2(20) Restricted (privacy)
PART B: Locational Variables
5 STRTNUMBER Num 6 number(5, 0) Street number of one involved parcel
6 STRTPREFIX Char 8 varchar2(8) E.g., North, South, East, West
7 STREETNAME Char 20 varchar2(20) E.g., Beacon
8 STREETTYPE Char 8 varchar2(8) E.g., Avenue
9 NEIGHBRHD Num 3 number(10, 0) Which of 16 neighborhoods
10 SUBNGHBRHD Num 3 number(10, 0) Which of 64 statistical areas
11 WARD Num 3 number(10, 0) Political area
12 PRECINCT Num 3 number(10, 0) Political sub-area
13 CENSUSTRAC Num 8.2 varchar2(8) Census tract
14 CENSUSBLK Num 4 number(5, 0) Census Block
PART C: Property Description Variables
15 PARCELNUMB Num 6 number(5, 0) One of involved parcel numbers
16 EXISTZONIN Char 10 varchar2(10) See list of zoning codes
17 ESTCOST Num 10 number(10, 0) Applicant-estimated project cost
18 EXISTUSE Num 3 number(10, 0) Land use classification -- see list
19 PRPSEDUSE Num 3 number(10, 0) Land use classification -- see list
20 CHNGEOCCUP Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
21 CHNGEUSE Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
22 ADDITION Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
23 ERECTSTRUC Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
24 ERECTAUXIL Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
25 LEGALIZE Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
26 SUBDIVISIO Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
27 PARKING Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
28 MISCPURPOS Num 2 number(10, 0) Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
29 EXISTUNITS Num 5 number(5, 0) # of existing residential units 
30 PRPSDUNITS Num 5 number(5, 0) # of proposed residential units
31 EXISTSQFT Num 8 number(10, 0) existing building square footage
32 PRPSDSQFT Num 8 number(10, 0) proposed building square footage
PART D: Possible Zoning Code Violations
33 USEITEM1 Num 2 number(10, 0) SEC.8-7 No/Maybe/Yes/? = 1, 3, 4, -1
34 UI1 Num 4 number(10, 0) USEITEM1 number needing variance
35 USEITEM2 Num 2 number(10, 0) SEC.8-7 No/Maybe/Yes/? = 1, 3, 4, -1
36 UI2 Num 4 number(10, 0) USEITEM2 number needing variance
37 USEITEM3 Num 2 number(10, 0) SEC.8-7 No/Maybe/Yes/? = 1, 3, 4, -1
38 UI3 Num 4 number(10, 0) USEITEM3 number needing variance
39 VARIANCE74 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.7-4: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
40 NONCONF91 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.9-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
41 NONCONF92 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.9-2: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
42 OFFPKG101 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.10-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
43 LOTSZE141 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.14-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
44 LOTSZE142 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.14-2: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
45 LOTSZE143 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.14-3: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
46 LOTSZE144 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.14-4: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
47 FAR151 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.15-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
48 HEIGHT161 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.16-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
49 ROOF168 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.16-8: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
50 OSPACE171 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.17-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
51 FYARD181 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.18-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
52 SYARD191 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.19-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
53 RYARD201 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.20-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
54 SETBACK211 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.21-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
55 OFFPKG231 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.23-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
56 OFFLOAD241 Num 2 number(10, 0) Sec.24-1: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
57 IPOD Num 2 number(10, 0) IPOD Permit: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
58 OTHERVIOLA Num 2 number(10, 0) Other viol.: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
PART E: BRA and Board of Appeal Decisions
59 DESIGNREV Num 3 number(10, 0) Needs review:Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
60 DSCOMPLETD Num 3 number(10, 0) Review done: Yes/No/? = 2, 1, -1
61 BRARECOM Num 2 number(10, 0) BRA Recommendation -- see list
62 BOARDDECIS Num 2 number(10, 0) BRA Recommendation -- see list

Listing of Codes

EXISTING USE (EXISTUSE) and PROPOSED USE (PRPSEDUSE)
(Stored in Database Table USE)

Field Name   Type         Explanation  
-----------  -----------  ------------------------------------------- 
USE_CODE     number(2)    Code for landuse variables (existuse       
                                 and prpseduse) 
LANDUSE      varchar(25)  Landuse (existing or proposed)  
                                 corresponding to previous code
USE_CODE LANDUSE
1 HOUSING
2 OFFICE
3 RETAIL
4 COMMERCIAL
5 EDUCATION/INSTITUTIONAL
6 ENTERTAINMENT
7 RECREATION
8 MIXED USE
9 PARKING
10 VACANT LAND
11 OTHER LAND USE
-1 UNKNOWN USE

BRA RECOMMENDATION (BRARECOM) and BOARD OF APPEAL DECISION (BOARDDECIS)
(Stored in Database Table DECISION)

Field Name   Type          Explanation
-----------  ------------  -------------------------------------------
DEC_CODE     number(5)     Code for decision variables (brarecom      
                                  and boarddecis) 
DECISION     varchar2(25)  Type of decision corresponding to  
                                  previous code
DEC_CODE DECISION
1 APPROVED AS SUBMITTED
2 APPROVED WITH PROVISIONS
4 DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
5 DENIAL
6 DEFERRED
7 CASE WITHDRAWN
33 TWO DIFFERENT DECISIONS
-1 DECISION UNKNOWN

EXISTING ZONING (EXISTZONIN)

The (first) digits are maximum floor area ratios.
Prefix Category Code(s)
S Residential, single family S-.3
S-.5
R Residential, 2 & 3 family R-.5
R-.8
H Residential, apartments H-1-40
H-1-50
H-1
H-2-45
H-2-65
H-2
H-3-65
H-3
H-4
H-5
L Business, local retail & service L-.5
L-1
L-2-65
L-2
B Business, retail & offices B-1 
B-2
B-3-65
B-4 
B-8-120
B-8 
B-10-155 
B-10 
M Industrial, light manufacturing M-1
M-2
M-4
M-8
I Industrial, general manufacturing I-2
W Waterfront industry W-2
33 Project involves two or more zoning districts 33
-1 DO NOT KNOW -1

BOSTON'S SIXTEEN BRA-DESIGNATED NEIGHBORHOODS (NEIGHBRHD)
(Stored in Database Table NEIGHBRHD)

Field Name   Type          Explanation  
-----  -----------  ------------  -------------------------------------------  
NEI_CODE     number(5)     Code for neighborhood areas (neighbrhd)  
NEIGHBRHD    varchar2(20)  Neighborhood area corresponding to         
                           previous code
NEI_CODE NEIGHBRHD
1 EAST BOSTON
2 CHARLESTOWN
3 SOUTH BOSTON
4 CENTRAL BOSTON
5 BACK BAY/BEACON HILL
6 SOUTH END
7 FENWAY/KENMORE
8 ALLSTON/BRIGHTON
9 JAMAICA PLAIN
10 ROXBURY
11 SOUTH DORCHESTER
12 ROSLINDALE
13 WEST ROXBURY
14 HYDE PARK
15 MATTAPAN/FRANKLIN
16 NORTH DORCHESTER

BOSTON NEIGHBORHOOD STATISTICAL AREAS
(Stored in Database Table NSA)

Field Name   Type          Explanation  
-----------  ------------  -------------------------------------------   
NSA_CODE     number(10)    Code for subneighborhood areas (subnghbrhd) 
NSA_AREA     varchar2(33)  Neighborhood statistical area (i.e., sub-  
                           neighborhood) corresponding to previous    
                           code    
NSA_SUBAREA  varchar2(60)  Subareas included within neighborhood 
                           statistical areas
NSA Code
(nsa_code)		 NSA Area
(nsa_area)		 NSA Subarea
(nsa_subarea)
1 ALLSTON/BRIGHTON ALLSTON
2 ALLSTON/BRIGHTON BRIGHTON
3 ALLSTON/BRIGHTON COMMONWEALTH
4 BACK BAY/BEACON HILL  
5 CHARLESTOWN MEDFORD STREET, THE NECK
6 CHARLESTOWN THOMPSON SQUARE, BUNKER HILL, TOWN HILL, MONUMENT
7 CHINATOWN/S. COVE/BAY VILLAGE  
8 NORTH DORCHESTER COLUMBIA, SAVIN HILL, COLUMBIA POINT
9 NORTH DORCHESTER DUDLEY, BRUNSWICK, KING
10 NORTH DORCHESTER UPHAMS CORNER, JONES HILL
11 SOUTH DORCHESTER ASHMONT
12 SOUTH DORCHESTER BOWDOIN NORTH, MT. BOWDOIN
13 SOUTH DORCHESTER CODMAN SQUARE, EAST WE CAN, EAST CODMAN HILL
14 SOUTH DORCHESTER EAST LOWER HILLS, CEDAR GROVE
15 SOUTH DORCHESTER FIELDS CORNER EAST
16 SOUTH DORCHESTER FIELDS CORNER WEST
17 SOUTH DORCHESTER MEETING HOUSE HILL
18 SOUTH DORCHESTER NEPONSET, PORT NORFOLK
19 SOUTH DORCHESTER ST. MARKS
20 SOUTH DORCHESTER WEST WE CAN, WEST CODMAN HILL, WEST LOWER MILLS
21 DOWNTOWN/CENTRAL/WEST END  
23 EAST BOSTON CENTRAL & MAVERICK SQUARES, PARIS STREET FLATS
24 EAST BOSTON EAGLE HILL
25 EAST BOSTON HARBOR VIEW, ORIENT HEIGHTS
26 EAST BOSTON JEFFRIES POINT, AIRPORT
27 FENWAY/KENMORE FENWAY
28 FENWAY/KENMORE KENMORE
29 FENWAY/KENMORE WEST FENS
30 FRANKLIN FIELD NORTH
31 FRANKLIN FIELD SOUTH
32 HARBOR ISLANDS HARBOR ISLANDS
33 HYDE PARK FAIRMOUNT HILLS
34 HYDE PARK GEORGETOWN
35 HYDE PARK READVILLE
36 HYDE PARK STONY BROOK, CLEARY SQUARE
37 HYDE PARK WEST STREET, RIVER STREET
38 JAMAICA PLAIN EGGLESTON SQUARE
39 JAMAICA PLAIN FOREST HILLS, WOODBOURNE
40 JAMAICA PLAIN HYDE SQUARE
41 JAMAICA PLAIN JAMAICA CENTRAL, SUMNER HILL, JAMAICA SOUTH, STONY BROOK
42 JAMAICA PLAIN JAMAICA HILLS
43 MATTAPAN SOUTHERN MATTAPAN
44 MATTAPAN WELLINGTON HILL
45 MISSION HILL MEDICAL AREA
46 MISSION HILL MISSION HILL PROJECTS
47 MISSION HILL TOP OF THE HILL, BACK OF THE HILL, RTH, DELLE AVE, TERRACE
48 NORTH END/WATERFRONT  
49 ROSLINDALE CENTRE-SOUTH
50 ROSLINDALE LOWER WASHINGTON, MT. HOPE
51 ROSLINDALE METROPOLITAN HILL, BEECH
52 ROXBURY HIGHLAND PARK
53 ROXBURY LOWER ROXBURY
54 ROXBURY SAV-MOR
55 ROXBURY WASHINGTON PARK
56 SOUTH BOSTON CITY POINT
57 SOUTH BOSTON COLUMBUS PARK, ANDREW SQUARE
58 SOUTH BOSTON D STREET, WEST BOARDWAY, NORTHERN SECTION
60 SOUTH BOSTON TELEGRAPH HILL
61 SOUTH END  
62 WEST ROXBURY BELLEVUE HILL
63 WEST ROXBURY BROOK FARM PARKWAY
64 WEST ROXBURY UPPER WASHINGTON, SPRING

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Data compiled by Clark Broida, 1987.
Originally adapted for 11.521 by Joseph Ferreira, Jr.
Converted to HTML by Thomas H. Grayson, 14 Feb. 2000.

Last modified: 19 February 2008 [jf]