Dear Editor: Why do we persist in giving away variances to developers? They are variances for a reason and should only be traded if something truly extraordinary is being offered in return. Let the developers start at the zoned level of stories and density. They can always apply to expand further in future years (as many long-standing buildings are now doing). Let’s wait till all the permitted new residential and commercial buildings for the southern waterfront and perimeter have been built and occupied and until all the vast new buildings on the northern waterfront and in the northwestern part of town have been occupied. We may be creating a claustrophobic, choked urban disaster. What’s the rush? A concerned 16-year resident