Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-04-26Mr. Colgate and his attorney, Mr. Steele a~opeared before the Board with plans for land to be subdivided. Land located on Mass. Ave., and Chickering Road. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p,m. Signed Clerk April 26, 1955 The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:30 p.m. The full board was present. A Public Hearing was held with reference to a proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Laws to increase the size of the lots to 20 M square feet. After the notice of hearing was read by the secretary, the chairman asked if Mr. Blackwell, the planning advisor, would outline the petition as it was entered on his recommendation. Mr. Blackwell said the Planning Board came to him as the flood of subdivisions in North Andove had worried them as the Town was engaged in a planning study. Rather than stall off these subdividers and be accused of acting in bad faith, Mr. Blackwell recommended the Board pro- pose an amendment to the Town's By-Laws to increase the lot sizes throughout North Andover until such time as Mr. Blackwell had completed the study and would feel more qualified to recommend one or more sizes of lots. Mr. Blackwell stated 20 M was less than he had recom- mended but felt this size sensible in relation to building t?~oughout MaSs. This size lot does not totally prohibit the building of two-family dwellings but prohibits building them on lots of less than 20 M square feet. The reason for t~is is that downtown is already developed and traffic and circulation of emergency vehicles is not going to encourage buildings of this type in crowded areas. Mr. Blackwetl also ~tated that the economic demand for building two-family dwellings is almost down to zero. Lots of this size would also mean possibility of off-street parking and play space for children. Mr. Blackwell emphasized this only applies to lots not of record and lots able to be combined with adjoining. This step is being taken to control subdivision at the present time. The chairman then asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of the petition. Dr. Julius Kay of the Board of Health stated he was in favor of this smendment as his Boaad was interested in land being developed where permanent sewerage does not exist and overflowing sgptic tanks would create a problem. He stated that ~ presently the Board of Health is unhappy about the conditimus of homes that were built only a year and one-half ago that have overflowing septic tanks. If there were larger lots this would not be so apt to happen. Mr., William Duffy of the Board of Public Works stated that at the present time the sewerage system is being increased on the east side but nothing has been discussed with r~gard to the West side and ~herefore due to this fact, and that the Town is presently weighted down with the school project he doubted whebher an expenditure would be allowed for the West side making a larger lot size to take care of sewerage favorable to him. Recorded in opposition to the proposed amendment were: Mr. Sam DiMauro of Richardson Avenue, who stated the lot size was too l~rge and would prohibit building by the small man. Mr. A. Siegel, Washington St., Boston, repesenting ~rou~ of developers on Barker St. said he agreed with Dr. Kay but did not feel that 20 M sq. ft. would necessarily s~e the problem. Mr. Blackwell stated the 20 M sq. ft. ~as determined from present lot sizes in N.A. and Board of Health and Planning Board recor4s. Mr. John Willis, Saunders Street, was recorded in opposition to the amendment for the following reasons: 1. he felt this would establish a "two-acre" aristocracy and 2. theBoard of Health problem, this can be ~aken care of by the Board of Health preventing building regardless of the size of the lot after percolation tests are made and 3. this will prohibit buying of land for dwellings due to the cost of the land for large lots. Mr. John O'Neil of Chadwick Street registered as being opposed to the amendment due to the fact he felt he did not have the right to say how his neighbot should build or onhow much land. Atty. John Clair, appearing in behalf of the heirs of Nellie Kimball asked that the proposed amendment be amended to exclude the property of the Kimball heirs as the Board had given tenative approval to this land. Mr. Clair submitted a letter to the Board along these lines at this time. Edward Phelan stated some areas have been put in as an acreage basis on new developments at .07 - .09 per square foot and this proved quite an assessment for the average individual. On motion of Mr. Finck, seconded by Mr. Gilman, the Board voted to take the matter un~er advisement. ~n motion of Mr. Osgood seconded by Mr. Finck, the Board voted to approve the proposed amendment to the Zoning ~y-Laws to increase the size lots to 20 M sq. ft. for all lots not of ~ecord or any lot adjoined by the lot of the same owner be compelled to combine for the follo~rlng reasons: the cumulatively increasing problem of sewage disposal on lots of small sizes in those portions of North Andover where Town sewerage is not available and on some such lots where sewerage is available. to pro~ote~'conditions for happy living and safe and easy circulation on foot and by vehicle in North Andover; to assure more spacious residentail developments which would be, tax wise, more stable and more valuable to the To~; to assure, so far as possible, freedom of owners of all small lots to develop them while at the same time treating all alike the owners of all'larger aggregations'of land throughout North Andove~. to help assure orderly development of North Andover in rela- tion to providing the municipal servides required such as water supply, fire fighting and recreation, polic protection, garbage and refuse cotledtion and disposal and schooling. The meeting adjourned at 11:O0 p.m. Si gned Clerk