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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-01-17Monday - January 17, 1972 Special Meeting The PLANNI~ BOARD held a special meeting on Monday evening, January 17, 1972 at 7:00 P.N. in the Town Office Buil~ing with the following members present and voting: Charles W. Trombl~v, Jr., Chairman$ Donald N. Keirstead, V. Chair- man$ John J. Monteiro, Secretary and W~llism Chepulis. Robert J. Burke was unable to attend. Mr. Ken Marriner and Mr. Devens Hamlen from Land, est, Inc. vere present. Mr. Keirstead expl~!~ed that he had talked with Connie Constantinides and that Connie would be unable to attend the meeting this evening but that he ~rill forward his comments, in writing, on John Brown's report. RE-ZONIN~ ARTICL~.$: Mr. Trombly explained that he and Mr. Xeirstead met with Town Counsel Arnold Salisbury and Moderator Don Smith and discussed the possibility of holding a special town meeting just for zoB~Bg, sometime in June probably. He wants to have an official vote of the Board. Mr. Monteiro made a motion to postpone all zoning articles in the coming March Town Meeting to a later date, probably sometime before the first of June when a special town meeting can be called. Mr. Keirstead seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Monteiro said he would vote unfavorably on any individual articles presented at the Annual To~n Meeti~ because he thinks the people can wait until the special town meeting. LAND/VEST, INC. A discussion was held with Mr. Marriner and Mr. Hamlen of Land, est, Inc. relative to the preliminary subdivision plans that had been submitted to the Board on November 10, 1971. 60 days have passed and the Board took no action because they felt the plans were not properly filed and presented to them. Mr. Trombly said the question is whether the plan was properly before the Plamming Board. Mr. Keirstea~ feels that no action by the Board is necessary because it was not properly presented. The Board had requested an opinion from To~n Counsel and this was his fee]..ing also. Town Counsel had~ talked with Land, est attorneys and at that time it was decided that North Andover Associates would file another plan. Mr. Hamlen and Mr. Marriner said their attorneys had studied the matter further and now feel that the plan was properly presented in November and are not filing the plan again. Mr. Monteiro made a motion to go into executive session. Mr. Keirstead said he is ag~st executive session and sees no reason to do so at this time. Mr. Keirstead made a motion to ask Town Counsel for a written opinion regarding~ the plan submitted by North Andover Associates and that the ch-~m~n be authorized to either transmit this letter or to write a letter advising his opinion to Land, est and North Andover Associates. Mr. Monteiro seconded the motion and the vote was un.m4mous. The meeting was then adjourned to the Fire Station to hold the special meeting that had been called with John Brown and the P.A.C. January 17, 1972 - cont. There were over 100 people present. John Brown and Tom Perrone were present. Chairman Trembly explained to the people that the Planning Board articles will not be ready for Annual Town Meeting and that a special town meeting w~11 be called, probably in May or June, Just for zoning articles. Mr. Monteiro asked if those people present felt they were being informed as to the Planning Board's actions and meetings, by newspaper, etc. They all said there is not enough publicity and alot of them find out about the meetings accidently or by word of mouth. There should be more information given to the public and more publicity in the newspaper so that all townspeople will be aware of what is going on. Mr. Keirstead said the Board wants to have' open and public hearings and meetings so that everyone will be well informed. He asked that everyone speaking be brief and that there not be any heated discussions. Norman Lentz, Bradford Street, spoke first. He is concerned about the Bradford Street area ~-nd about allowing a larger industrial area abutting it since Bradford Street is a growing residential area. Any extension of industrial area to the back would interfere with many back yards of residents. Mr. Keirstead said depth is needed so that buildings can be set back farther from the road. 1,000 feet depth is not too much so that development would be attractive. In general, the people felt that the Board should hold sectional hearings first on proposed re-zonings and then hold overall hearings. Philip Arrigo, Barker street, asked how much of the present Lndustrial land is occupied. Mr. Keirstead said that of land presently zoned industrial there is practically none that has services. A spectator asked why it was necessary to bring industry to town. Mr. Monteiro explained it was needed for the tax base; taxes keep going up and we need something to keep it down. The Board has taken everything into consideration and know that there are going to be many people that do not like it, but there is nothing we can do. Mr. Chepulis explained that if land is already zoned for industrial, good industry can be brought into town without difficulty to any specific areas or individuals. Howard Thomson, Farnum St., asked about the area off 114 and near Johnson Street. Mr. Keirstead said that had been changed. Mr. Thomson objected to the Farnum St. line of industrial land near his home and the homes of John and Alden Farnum. There are at least 3 18th century houses there and they should be protected. Bob Dunn, Boston Hill Ski Area; asked if his area was going to stay business and was told it would even though it did not show it presently on the map~ it would be changed to stay General Business. January 17, 1972 - cont. Two spectators asked whether the area on Mass. Ave. next to Webber'~ Lumber Co. was being re-zoned for a gas station. An article is presently in the warrant to re-zone this area to General Business. Mr. Monteiro said he is against it being re-zoned. Mr. Keirstead said that the proposed plan for it is to stay residential. Mr. Galper, Marian Drive, asked if there are any documents he could receiveto review what is going on. There is material at the public library and in the office, but not for distribution. Mr. Keirstead said he would like to have a map published in~ the newspaper when it is ready. Mrs. Frank's:Lewis, Highland Terrace, asked about the area of Wilson's Corner and was very disturbed at it being recommended for office and research since the area is primarily residential and only a small piece of vacant land is available. Mr. Keirstead explained that this particular area has been a problem and they have had trouble in knowing what to do with it. It seems to be appropriate for business use. John Brown expl~i.ned that there would be protection for the residential area be- cause of large lot req,,!~ements and the 100 ft. buffer. The Board will study this particular area further, since it is a difficult area. Mark Henry asked about the state wideningRte, llJl and what problems that would present. Discussion was held as to what the state plans for the roadway and about the proposed special.traffic lights and roadway to enter the Flatley apart- ments. Frank Serio, Hillside Rd., spoke about the Hillside Road area beingBusiness and Industrial~ that it would increase the traffic problem. John Farnum, Farnum St., said he didntt think it was right to zone his area to industrial; it is a farm and always has been and they haveworkedhardkeepingit. Mr. Keirstead said he felt strongly about trying to protect the to~n and thinks it was an oversight not to include agricultural and associated uses in the in- dustrial area. Mark Henry asked that if a particular individual didn't want his land zoned in accordance with the plan, would he be forced to or could he keep it the way it is and then be changed later on. Mr. Keirstead explained that the final thing is thatwe should provide areas for uses defined on the zoning map to protect anyone who wants it. Should show uses that appear to be best for the town over a long period of time. Rte. 114 will never be residential. Mark Henry said that you can't buy the available and facilities can't Be put in on the opposite side of Rte. ll4. January 17, 1972- cont. Paul Proulx, Equestrian Shop, Rte. 11~, said he would be put out of business if he were put into Industrial I, he wants to keep his present business. If Rte. 114 is widened he would have no place to go. He wants to extend the business line down and he would like to have a retail store in the future. Frank Fiore, Berry St., said his 1_~ abuts John Farnum's and is being used as a farm. With the proposed zoning, he would no longer be able to farm his land. People's right to use their land should not be taken away from them~ it would be a case of undemocratic actions. He doesn't want the town or the Planning Board to put a noose around their necks and hang them. There can't be .industrial use there because facilities are not available. I~_-downers should be considered. John Brown said he has prepared a master plan which should be discussed further at other meetings. There will be a final master plan report to be published before Annual Town Meeting (500 copies). There are uses he feels would be .appropriate at this time. Some zoning changes would not take place immediately, it would be over a period of 20 years. There will be no harm done to existing uses. Ail uses will still be ~llowed. Mr. KeirsteadaskedEdwardPhelan, Assessor~ if the tax rate is changed when a piece of land changes zoning. He said no, that the Board of Assessors is fair to the people. George Barker, Assessor, said all land in NorthAndover is taxed very lOW. Mr. Keirstead said they have no intention of changing anybody's present status in town. Mrs. Marlene Stekert asked about the section having to do with conversion of structures. She is very concerned about this and the people don't realize how serious this is. There should be a limited number of conversions. Mr. Keirsteadexplained that a size limitation cannot be put in and still be practical. As long as the conversion meets Building Code requirements it would still have good living quarters. Build~ng Tnspector Charles Foster explained that conversions up-grade properties which will be better on old structures. There is a definite need for more living space in town and for conversions. This section still requires getting a special permit from the Board of Appeals. A1 Contarino, Alco Electronics, said he couldn't understand why the area where part of his business is on Marblehead Street is to be Village Residential. Mr. Keirstead said they don't intend to do any re-zoning of that area at this time. Mr. Contarino also pointed out that where the new Alco building is on Osgood St. across from Western Electric, does not presently provide enough area for expansion. He' needs more area and room should be left for industries to expand a~i grown. He wants to stay in North Andover. Mr. Keirstead asked Mr. Contarino to submit something in writing to the Planning Board as to what his thoughts are as to what would be appropriate for his area. January 17, 1972 - cont. Mr. Contarino said approx. 1/3 of the land that is zoned industrial cannot be used because it is a flight lane for the ~p~rt. Discussion was held as to air flight restrictions, building height restrictions, etc. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. The Pl~ing Board will hold a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 24th at 7:30 P.M. Chairm~ ~Olerk Anna D~nahue)