HomeMy WebLinkAboutComplaints - 271 STEVENS STREET 2/14/2017 rcvd
255 Stevens Street
North Andover, MA 01845-2912
Albert P. Manzi, III Esq. Chairman
Ellen P. McIntyre, Vice-Chairman
D. Paul Koch,Jr., Esq. Clerk
Douglas Ludgin
Allan Cuscia
Deney Morganthal
Alexandria Jacobs, Esq.
Nathan Weinreich
Donald Belanger, Zoning Enforcement Officer
February 14, 2017
Re: 271 Stevens Street
Dear Chairman Attorney Manzi, Vice-chair McIntyre and Members of the Zoning Board of
Appeals,
Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Thomas Howlett and I speak on behalf of myself
and my wife, Mary Sue Howlett. We have lived at 255 Stevens Street for the past 20 years. In
fact, my wife was born and raised on the other side of Kittredge Hill, and has been a nearly
lifelong resident of this town. Our home is immediately next door to the property currently
under consideration for a variance. We stand in absolute opposition to this variance. We built
our home and complied with all town and state regulations, modifying our project to remain in
compliance with the rules and regulations set forth to ensure the best for our community.
The proposed project has been considered in the past and in August 2016, our town's own
building inspector rejected a building permit for the property citing that the 1963 variance was
never recorded at the Registry of Deeds as required, and therefore, not operative. In addition,
Mr. Belanger notes that the subdivision requested by Atty. Brecher is completely different
which in itself voids the claim of subdivision.
The tree line that separates our home from the land in question is marked by 30-40 large trees;
pines, oak, birch and maple,that are approximately 40-50 years old. Those tree are home to
many animals and provide shelter to hawks, deer,turkeys, coyotes and other forms of wildlife.
Given the recent drought conditions, I am concerned about the disruption and weakening of
the root systems for these trees through excavation and the proposed addition. The root
systems may be risked as the existing home is less than 7 feet off the lot line, and the root
systems for these trees likely extend well beyond the proposed addition. These existing trees
may become unstable and fall, landing on either the existing home at 271 Stevens, our home or
elsewhere, creating a hardship and changing the character of our property and the
environment,
The water drains off Kittredge Hill to the back of the lot and then between 271 Stevens and to
the south side of that property, and I assume under the street to Stevens Pond. With the
proposed project, drainage will shift creating further erosion and alter the drainage to other
properties, especially on the proposed lot. The natural flow of drainage will be disrupted by the
proposed new construction.
The proposed project includes an additional 1000 sq feet to a home on what wouldi be an
undersized lot if the subdivision is granted. The other homes on the same side of the street,
along Stevens and Pleasant to Osgood, are approximately one acre lots. A subdivision would
change the character of that side of the street. What would prevent the other homes on the
street from subdividing and doubling the population in the area if such a precedence is set?
The property was advertised by realtors as a single family home, built in 1880. It is not
advertised as a subdivision with building and expansion potential. The signed Purchase and
sale, dated February 24, 2016, has an agreed upon price of$460,000 which is greater than the
current year's assessed value of the property, $385,300. The property was listed at$450,000
almost a year ago. The Purchase and sale is void should the variance be denied, and is based on
the potential hardship of the current owner. Atty. Brecher told me he was interested in
improving the neighborhood by developing two $800,000 homes. That seems like a significant
business transaction to me and' no true hardship for the interested developer.
Thank you for consideration. I hope that you will ensure the integrity of the neighborhood and
enforce our current regulations. I appreciate this opportunity.
Respectfully submitted,
iUU
Thomas C. 0wlett Mary Sus L. Howlett