Laura Costantini of 6 Bank Street, whose back porch privacy would be affected, agreed. "I'd rather take a chance," she told the board when asked if she'd prefer the taller but more set-back alternative.

I'm Laura Costantini. I live at 6 Bank Street right next door behind John's. And, you know, this is really tough because, I mean, we all we love John. We want the best for him. And but I will suffer because the house will devalue, and that's very imp…