HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-07-27SPECIAL MEETING - July 27, 1987
The meeting opened at 7:50 p.m. in the new conference room, with the following
members in attendance and voting: Frank Serio, Jr., Chairman, Augustine Nickerson,
Clerk, William Sullivan, Walter Soule, Anna O'Connor and Louis Rissin.
PUBLIC HEARING
Knightsbrid~e Partners, Inc. - Variance - 89 Turnpike Street
Legal notice read by Mr. Nickerson, Clerk.
Attorney George Stella spoke for the petitioner stating that they were looking for
a variance for an undersized lot and side and rear setback, plus 50' buffer(green
area) because of residential areas surrounding the lot. Want to leave the present
building as is and add to it.
Steve Stanpinski of Merrimack Engineering Services stating that original plans showed
the setbacks listed for R4 and not B4. New plans have been given to the Board.
He stated that Dartmouth Street is a dead end explained that all the buildings in
the area are R4. The garage will be removed and a new addition will be built. It
will not be a typical bank, it is a business by phone and by appointment, will have
no drive-up window or automatic teller. Petitioner claims it should not generate
more than 148 cars per day, traffic-wise. The present company located there has a
approximately 46 cars per day for traffic. There will be parking in the back of the
bank building, not visable from the street. Plants and shrubs will be put in, and
fieldstone wall and wood wall will be the buffer zone. The building will screen the
parking from abutters. Two trees will have to be removed, and the lighting has been
put in so that it will not spill out. Mostly day service provided by the bank, no
night hours unless by special appointment. Hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The old parking lot will be replaced with a courtyard, and the parking moved to a
new location. The new addition cannot be built without the variance, because of the
requirements of entrance way. The site is currently on a septic system but the
building will be put on the town sewer system~ when the variance is granted. Mr.
Nickerson said that there is a lot of open land on both sides of this parcel. Mr.
Murphy said that they had contacted the Rogers family, owners of the land, and they
were not interested in selling any at this time. Mr. Murphy stated that they do not
have the curb cuts from the State as yet, due to the fact that the State plans to
improve Route 114 and the wall will remain in the State's plans as of now. Aerial
photo was shown to Board by the engineer stressing the area owned by the Rogers
family and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. Petitioner wishes to keep the historical
type bullding and the shape of the parcel is low on one end this creates a hardship
for the petitioner. They stated that the building could be knocked down and a new
one put up but could not be used as a B4 because of the size of th lot. Mr. Nick-
erson stressed that he could not see any hardship involved.
The architects would like to preserve the historic look of the building, and also
leave all of the large trees and shrubs as is. The addition would be of wood and
a New England style bulding, blending in with the brick building already there. The
Historical Commission has looked at the plans and agrees it is a good addition. It
will be in the back of the original building and the lighting and materials are all
in the Queen Anne style. Board asked about the number of rooms, etc. in the build-
ing. There will be brick paths and New England type plants about the area. The
sign will be behind'the wa%l-and lit from ~he ground. Mr% Soul~ questioned the 20°
drop-off. Petitioner stated that it is a slope that runs!about about the middle of
the land, therefore no cars will be seen from the street. The Fire and Police Depart-
ments will have complete access around the building. More green could be added on
the side if requested. Mr. Nickerson stated that if the adjacent land should be
sold, there would be no green area.
Attorney Stella stated that the Murphy family has been in the banking business for
many years in this area and he thinks the building would be an asset to the area.
Special Meeting - July 27, 1987
Page 2
Architect stated that a B4 zone allows for 75,00 sq. ft usage, and they will only
be using 12,00 sq. ft. Attorney Stella said that B4 allows business and other
offices including banks. Petitioner has a Purchase and Sale agreement for the lot.
Letter from four (4) members of the Planning Board received and read by Mr. Nickerson.
This letter is not on Planning Board letterhead and is therefore received as a letter
from four North Andover citizens serving on the Planning Board.
No one at the meeting spoke in opposition to this petition.
Letter from Nancy Sullivan, Conservation Administrator to the Planning Board read by
Mr. Ntckerson as follows: "I have reviewed the plans as submitted and find that this
area does not appear to be within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. If
you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.", dated 7/2/87
Letter from C. Foster, Building Inspector to Attorney Vivenzio read as follows: "The
premises located at 89 Turnpike St. is zoned as a B-4. In that District, business
offices are an allowed use. By definition, banks and financial institutions are
considered business offices; therefore, the premises may legally be used for a bank
or financial institution.
Mr. Murphy stressed that the bank would provide a service so that the customer will
not have to come to the bank as often and the officers would like to keep things on
a personal level, and consolidate all of your banking needs in one bank. Financial
advisors(on a small scale) on a one-on-one level, so that the banker and the customer
would know each other better.
Mr. Sullivan requested that Mr. Murphy obtain a letter from the Rogers family stating
that the petitioner had attempted to purchase abutting land and the Rogers family will
not sell any land at this time. Mr. Sullivan will not vote on this petition until
the letter is received by the Board.
Motion made by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. Nickerson to take the matter under
advisement. The vote was unanimous.
A Special Meeting will be held, if necessary, this week to'decide on this petition.
Motion made by Mr. Nickerson and seconded by Mr. Soule to adjourn the meeting at
9:00 p.m.
Next regular meeting will be on August 11, 1987 at 7:30 in the Selectmen's meeting
room.
Audrey ~ Taylor,~lerk
Fran~/Se~i~ Jr., ~{rman