HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-04-04156:
April 4, 1956
location well situated as to m-jor acess of streets of the Town or at least ~ne and
streets so situated in the Town so they will reasonable carry traffic ~bazardly.
The ~base of ~ghborhood Business zone was next~ on the agenda. M~. Btackwell has put a
spot in wor~s of descriptie~ of location of both sides of Johnson Street at the North Andover
Conter. He has tentavely described a second spot of Neighborhood Business Zoning at the
Junction of Dale Street and Marbleridge Road going from N~_~bleridge Road to the power location.
A question arose from Mr. Godin pert-~ning the happ*~Bg of a business situated at a leeatic~
not z~ned for business. Mr. Blackwell answered anything not zoned for business is non-conform-
ing and as a zoning advisor, could not see the w~dity of pu~t~Bg every spot on the m~_p, and
the likely hood of expansion is very little and likelyheod of contin,~_~.nce of them is question-
able. At the conclust~a'-~of this statement, Mr. Godin questioned about houses ~d lots that
are zoned for business, when there is no business at the very start. Mr. Blackwe]_l stated,
one of the problems is are yon going to zone in exactly the same manner as present use? He
-~further went on to say that is the reason for reconnen~.-g ~ little spots ~remain unzoned,
and if it is e~onomieal for expansion, let .the owners~ come to the to~n meeting and state
their problems.
In answer to a question put by Mr. Sam DLMauro coneer~-8 General Business ~.o-~-g, Mr. Black-
we]_l proposed that only do~n town }~n Street he zoned General Business at $~he present time.
~he Planning advisor outlined the streets Zoned for General Business and Mr. DeFuscio
arose to praise him~ in his suggestions bringim~ out the points that the present down town
business area is sufficient for the towns' needs at the present. He stated there could be
ample parking space, and for re~$dents ~n the town residing in Resi~eSti~t'districts do
not WiSh'~to be rezoned to Business.
Hr. Blaekwe]_l pointed out he still believes the town needs more ret~ business area, but
he dows not ~ant to go further tb~ geographical terms of it. He expressed the desire to
preserve Chickering Road. He also stated m~intain Main Street and parking areas, and any
new stores that can be ~,~t there, but questions the acess and land use. Mr. DeFusci~
took the floor _~mt stated North Andover is a -~ town, and doea~not want to see "trash"
from other towns ~,~d here. He stated people are accustomed to shopping in Lawrence being
so close, and there is enough expansion for the next ten years. Mr. Blackwell stated that
Mr. DeFuscio has brought up an issue of Pl~8 policy and agrees that North Andover is a
lovely to~m. Stores will have some effect on the landscaping and it the townspeople w~sh
to preserve it such as ~.exington, oct., he w~.]] respect it.
Mr. Ma&loon sugguested leaving spot zoning as it is now, and brought out the North Andover
Board of Trade voted ,m-~ously to leave it as it is. Attorney McNiff stated that the
Board or ~e To~n has not ..,ch choice in the matter. Mr. Blaekwell stated sp~ts only z~ned
by the Town may be changed. Attorney McNiff read chapter 48, section 5 that any change or
use, thereof cannot be cb~ged. Mr. B~ackwell stated they cannot be unzoned, but it does not
prevent the use. of it, and the fact that it is zoned business or not zoned for business does
not interfere -with the business, but affects the future of it and its relative ease of expan-
sion.
T question arose that there should not be any restrictions placed on non-conforming
business that have been operat~n~ for a number of years~ Mr. Blaekwell~ stated at the
conclusion of this meeting, a private meeting between the Board and h~m~elf will he held,
and the Board will then present to the town at a public hearing such reo~,=.endation's they
propose to present to the town. Dr. Ro~ers asked at the special town meeting whether the
citizens will have to vote on accepting or rejecting as it is put to it. Mr. Blackwell re-
that the to~n moderator could answer the question.